# CGRS — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 02-0118  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2002-05-29

02-0118 response to CGRS concerning 180.407.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
Research and
of Transportation
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Stamin rail onese
MAY 2 9 2002
Mr. Scott R. Burnside
Ref. No. 02-0118
Special Projects Manager
CGRS
P.O. Box 1489
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Dear Mr. Burnside:
This is in response to your letter of April 9, 2002 and subsequent telephone conversation with
Ms. Sandra Webb of my staff concerning the testing and inspection requirements of specification
cargo tanks in propane service under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts
171-180). Specifically, you asked whether MC 331 cargo tanks constructed of quenched and
tempered steel used for the transportation of propane must be internally inspected by the wet
fluorescent magnetic particle method as specified for cargo tanks used for the transportation of
anhydrous ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas.
As specified in § 180.407(g), all components of the cargo tank wall, as defined in § 178.320(a)
must be pressure tested as prescribed by this paragraph. The inspection and test requirements in
§ 180.407(g) of the HMR consist of three parts: an external visual inspection, an internal visual
inspection and a pressure test (hydrostatic test or pneumatic test). Section 180.407(g)(3) provides
the internal visual requirements for cargo tanks constructed to MC 331 specification used for the
transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas). You should be aware that propane is a liquefied
petroleum gas. Thus, the internal inspection requirement by the wet fluorescent magnetic particle
method as prescribed in 180.407(g)(3) is required to be performed in conjunction with the
performance of the pressure test prescribed in this section.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact this
office.
Sincerely,
Delmer Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
180.407
020118

<<<PAGE 2>>>

deRs
ENVIRONMENTAL - CONSTRUCTION - COMPLIANCE
Webb
$180.407 g (vil) (3)
April 9, 2002
Cargo Tanks
02-0118
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
Director of OHMS
400 7' St
US DOT/ RSPA
Washington DC, 20590
Re: Interpretation; 49CFR 180.407(g)(viii)(3)
Dear Mr. Mazzullo;
CGRS, Inc. performs hydrostatic testing on MC331 cargo tanks that carry propane. The above
loes not mention propane. There is a general description in the regulations stating, "any other
eferenced regulation applies specifically to anhydrous ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas bu
that propane causes corrosion stress cracking, are cargo tanks that transport propane required to
hazardous materials that may cause corrosion stress cracking". Is it your agency's interpretation
please contact me at 970-493-7780.
Your Response to this inquiry is appreciated. If you have any questions regarding this letter
Sincerely
Special Projects Manager
cc: Mr. Ray Gassaway
P.O. BOX 1489 • FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80522 • PHONE: 970-493-7780 • FAX: 970-493-7986

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020118.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `09f29c0d820060995555508b50b724e1fa44b24b4e8dd47b1f220450f8399f3b`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T07:49:26.199Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-02-0118`

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