(a)Leak tests as described in paragraph (b) of this section must be conducted at least once each month, at each inspection for certification, and at each periodic inspection. The tests required at monthly intervals must be conducted by an appropriately credentialed officer of the vessel or qualified personnel acceptable to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection. The owner, master, or person in charge of the vessel must keep records of such tests showing the dates when performed and the name(s) of the person(s) and/or company conducting the tests. Such records must be made available to the marine inspector upon request and must be kept for the period of validity of the vessel's current certificate of inspection. Where practicable, these records should be kept in or with the vessel's logbook.
(b)Test the system for leakage in accordance with the following procedure: With the appliance valve closed, the master shutoff valve on the appliance open, and one cylinder valve open, note pressure in gauge. [CGFR 68-82, 33 FR 18890, Dec. 18, 1968, as amended by USCG-1999-4976, 65 FR 6500, Feb. 9, 2000; USCG-2003-16630, 73 FR 65189, Oct. 31, 2008; USCG-2006-24371, 74 FR 11265, Mar. 16, 2009]