Ask X3What does 49 CFR 178.70 (Approval of UN pressure receptacles) require?
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Based on 49 CFR 178.70, to get approval for UN pressure receptacles, a motor-carrier owner or manufacturer must follow these practical steps:
* Initial Design-Type Approval: The manufacturer must obtain an initial design type approval from the Associate Administrator for the pressure receptacle design as it is intended to be produced.
* IIA Pre-Audit: The manufacturer must arrange for an Independent Inspection Agency (IIA) to perform a pre-audit of the manufacturing operation before any audit by the Associate Administrator. The manufacturer submits its application and technical documentation (such as drawings and calculations) to the IIA for review. Once documentation is verified, the manufacturer builds a prototype lot, and the IIA witnesses testing to ensure conformity.
* Recommendation and Certificate: After successful testing, the IIA prepares a letter of recommendation and a design type approval certificate containing necessary supporting data, test results, and chemical analyses.
* Application Submission: The manufacturer submits the IIA's letter of recommendation and an application in English to the Associate Administrator for each manufacturing facility. The application must include facility details, quality system information, pressure receptacle designation, manufacturing drawings, procedures, and test reports.
* Production Inspection and Audit: PHMSA will schedule an on-site audit of the manufacturing facility and quality systems. During this audit, the manufacturer must produce pressure receptacles, and the production IIA must witness required inspections. Sample pressure receptacles are then tested at a designated laboratory.
* Approval Issuance: If samples conform to all requirements, the Associate Administrator issues approvals to the manufacturer and the production IIA, and the manufacturer must sign the returned design type approval certificate.
* Recordkeeping: Both the production IIA and the manufacturer must retain copies of the design type approval certificate and certificate of compliance records for at least 20 years.