# Kovatch Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 00-0137  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2000-06-06

00-0137 response to Kovatch Corporation concerning 173.8.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
00s Sington SC.S
Vashington. D.
Research and
pecial Program
dministrati
JUN Lal 6 2000
Mr. David Schappell
Ref. No. 00-0137
Kovatch Corporation
One Industrial Complex
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
Dear Mr. Schappell:
This is in response to your April 13, 2000, letter concerning the use of non-specification cargo tanks
with a capacity over 3500 gallons under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts
171-180). Specifically, you ask if these cargo tanks may be used after July 1, 2000, for intrastate
transportation of flammable liquid petroleum products.
The answer is no. The provisions of § 173.8(b) provide for the use of a non-specification cargo tank
with a capacity under 3500 to transport flammable liquid petroleum products after July 1, 2000. There
is no provision in the HMR to allow the use of a non-specification cargo tank greater than 3500
capacity for flammable liquid petroleum products after July 1, 2000.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
000137
1138

<<<PAGE 2>>>

KOVATCH CORPORATION
HONE: 570-669-946
00A53 19 01 7:02
Johnsen
173.8
00-0/3>
Research and Special Programs Administration
Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
April 13, 2000
Dear Sir/Madam:
Under Paragraph 173.8 (b) of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR), non
specification cargo tanks under 3500 gallon may be used for intrastate transportation of a
flammable liquid petroleum product. Does this mean that those non specification tanks
over 3500 gallons will no longer be permitted after July 1, 2000?
I have been watching all the commercial publications which list new rule changes
and I have not seen any mention of this. I have mentioned this to several other tank
manufacturers and they seem not to be aware of it.
If you could clear this up for me, it would be greatly appreciated. The address is:
Kovatch Corporation
ATTN: David Schappell
One Industrial Complex
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Pan lagers
Manager, KME Fuel Trucks

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000137.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `01718b5f7feeec892d6ba01376066a6d7ad7c1479bdfa2ce3103a3e4c581ccd0`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T13:57:03.612Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-00-0137`

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