Natural Gas Vehicle Cylinder Safety, Training and Inspection Program

Have Your CNG Cylinders Been Properly Inspected?

Why do my CNG cylinders need to be inspected?

Like a gasoline-or diesel fueled-vehicle, a Compressed Natural Gas vehicle’s fuel system should be inspected periodically. In fact, the US Department of Transportation (FMVSS 304) requires this statement on the label of all CNG cylinders used on motor vehicles:

What is a qualified CNG cylinder inspection?

Inspections performed by service stations or state agencies may not include a detailed CNG cylinder visual inspection, as outlined in a standard developed by natural gas vehicle industry engineers. Following this standard, a qualified inspector will note cuts, cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets or isolators, heat damage or other problems and recommend proper action to assure fuel system safety.

A qualified inspector must have:

• knowledge of the types of containers used in CNG vehicle systems, and damage allowances for each type, and
• understanding of inspection requirements, tests, procedures, and
• the container manufacturer’s current inspection guidelines readily available.

A qualified CNG cylinder inspector also must:

• have a minimum of 2 years experience conducting container inspections, or
• be supervised by someone with 2 years experience, or
• be approved by the container manufacturer, or
• be certified as an inspector by an organization with NGV training centers, an “authority having jurisdiction” or a nationally recognized certification testing organization.
  

Where can I find a qualified CNG cylinder inspector?

If your fleet does not have a qualified inspector, some CNG vehicle manufacturers, local gas utilities and cylinder manufacturers offer cylinder inspection services by qualified inspectors. If yours do not, a list of CSA-certified inspectors is available by clicking here. CSA is the only nationally recognized organization certifying CNG cylinder inspectors in the US and Canada. Key in your state or province name (spelled out, not abbreviated), hit “Search” and a list will come up. Click on a name for that person’s contact information.

How can I become a certified CNG cylinder inspector?

If you would like to be trained and CSA-certified as a qualified CNG cylinder inspector, these organizations provide training for and administer the CSA certification test:

• National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
  Contact: Al Ebron (304-293-7822)
• AFV International
  Contact: Bill McGlinchey (740-205-2107)
• Natural Gas Vehicle Institute
  Contact: Leo Thomason (800-510-6484)
• Advanced Transportation Technology
  Contact: Cal Macy (562-938-3067)
• Energy Transfer Technology
  Contact: Joe Cochenour (360-576-6300)
• Phoenix Energy
  Contact: Steve Bouchillon (205-453-0241)

Is scholarship assistance available?

Scholarships for cylinder inspection training and certification testing are available for qualifying technicians or organizations through a US Department of Energy program administered by the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation. These scholarships will reimburse you for successfully completing a cylinder inspector training program provided by one of the organizations listed above and passing the CSA test.

To apply for a scholarship: (Scholarship Assistance is No Longer Available)

1. Contact one of the organizations listed above and determine when and where you want to take their course. You may take a course at their facility or work with them to provide a course for a number of technicians at a facility of your choice.
2. Fill out the online scholarship form or click here for a printable document and fax to 703-534-6151.
3. We will determine whether scholarship money is available for you, based on the information included in your request and availability of program funding (at this time funding is available only through the end of 2008). We will inform you of our decision within 10 business days of receiving your application. If we agree to pay for your training and testing, you must make your own arrangements with the training and testing facility and provide us with a receipt for the amount paid and documentation that you successfully completed the course and passed the test. You are responsible for your own travel, lodging and expenses (other than training tuition and testing cost), unless special plans are made in advance.
4. Questions? – Call or email Hank Seiff, Director of Technology, Clean Vehicle Education Foundation, 703-534-6151.