# Trinity Industries, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 00-0079  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2000-03-28

00-0079 response to Trinity Industries, Inc. concerning 178.345.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
Nashington, D.C
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
MAR 2 8 2000
Mr. Greg McRae, Quality Assurance
Reference No. 00-0079
Trinity Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 588887
Dallas, TX 75358
Dear Mr. McRae:
This is in reference to your letter addressed to Mr. Charles Hochman, Office of Hazardous
Materials Technology, concerning specification shortages on a cargo tank manufactured to the
MC 331 specification. You inquired whether your company may manufacture the cargo tank
only and stamp "MC 331" on the metal identification plate. The assembler (i.e., cargo tank
motor vehicle manufacturer) would stamp the original test date on the identification plate after all
other specification requirements have been met.
The answer is yes, the identification plate may be stamped with the specification number. For
the MC 331 specification, the cargo tank is an ASME Code "U" stamped tank fitted with all
appurtenances, reinforcements, fittings, and closures affecting lading retention installed by the
cargo tank manufacturer. See definition of "cargo tank" in 49 CFR 178.320. The MC 331
specification in § 178.337 does not preclude the manufacture of a cargo tank motor vehicle in
stages with the work performed by different manufacturers. Marking the original test date and
the specification number on a cargo tank's metal identification plate certifies that the cargo tank
conforms to the applicable specification.
Your company must provide the ASME manufacturer's data report and related documents to the
cargo tank motor vehicle manufacturer. The certificate of compliance stating that the completed
cargo tank motor vehicle conforms in all respects to the MC 331 specification would be
completed by the cargo tank motor vehicle manufacturer, as specified in § 178.337-18. The
registration numbers of the manufacturer, the Design Certifying Engineer and the Registered
Inspector, as appropriate, must appear on the certificates.
I hope this information is helpful. IfI can be of further assistance, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Halte z, mittell
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
178,345-15
000079

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Mitche !!
5178,345-15
:
TRINITY INDUSTRIES, INC.
CHARLES HockmAN
00-0079
April 27, 1999
DO YOU IAVE AN ANSWER?
Fax --202-366-3753
THANKS
Mr. Charles Hochman
U.S. Department Of Transportation
GREE MERAE
Hazardous Materials Safety
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
3-6-00
Subject: Clarification Of Specifications
Dear Mr. Hochman:
At the present time specificatlon MC-331 does not address "Specification Shortages" as addressed
in paragraph 178.345-15(e) for MC-405 specification contalners.
Trinity manufactures truck and transport tanks only and does not manufacture complete motor
vehicles.
i
We would like to stamp the nameplate MC-331 and let the vehicle manufacture stamp the "Test
Date'' after all other requirements have been met.
Can Trinity apply paragraph 178.345-15(e) to MC-331 products?
...
? manita Nata repir 1-stm
Quality Assurance
certient
Cc: Keith Culhane
James Roberts
Tom Alkens
GMits
F:/pa/shara/gsec/strugg/greg/USDept Of Trans. Charles Hochman/
2526 STEMMONS FREEWAY • DALLAS. TEXAS 76207 • POST OFFICE BOX 56B687 • DALLAS, TEXAS 75356-8887
(214) 631.4420 • FAX (214) 588-8501

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000079.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `0910d620e8672d319b85196bf7062f600414467501eaa18fcf32ce0134b17bd1`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T10:06:38.789Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-00-0079`

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