# Polar Service Centers — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 98-0286  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1999-07-02

98-0286 response to Polar Service Centers concerning 172.102.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

US. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh Streel, S.W.
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
special Programs
Administration
JUL
21999
Mi. Mark Hughes
Polar Service Centers
Ref. No.
98-0286
120 Cedar Springs Road
Spartansburg, SC 29302
Dear Mr. Hughes:
This is in response to your letter dated September 21, 1998,
and further clarifies our letter of September 4, 1998,
MC 307 cargo tanks under the Hazardous Materials Regulations
regarding a suitable corrosion allowance for sulfuric acid in
(HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
a certain unlined 316 SS MC 307 cargo tank approved for
Specifically, you asked whether
sulfuric acid in all concentrations meets the allowance
specified in special provision B84 (S 172.102).
concentrations up to 65.25% and does not apply to
Special provision B84 applies only to sulfuric acid in
metallic lining or a suitable corrosion allowance as stated in
concentrations greater than 65.25%. The requirements for non-
special provision B84 do not apply to sulfuric acid in
concentrations above 65.25%
In reference
'assumed that the original" design minimum thickness was not
to the September 4, 1998 letter we sent you, we
greater, than 3/16".
minimum, thackness, and the designer's corrosion allowance
The cargo tank designer's calculated
should be used to determine whether or not the remaining
corrosion allowance is suitable. i*
I hope this satisfiesiyour request.
Sincerely,
Delmer
F. BiLlings
Chief,
Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
172.102
980286

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980286.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `99fbbfc51509d04697f1cd3ec1f34914bc83ce90c6ffa43f8c2e7e172be962dc`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T14:02:26.799Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-98-0286`

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