# Idaho State Police — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 00-0036
- **title:** Idaho State Police — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2001-03-16
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 00-0036 response to Idaho State Police concerning 173.315.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0036.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0036.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0036
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000036.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department
100 Seventh Street. SW
of Transportation
Nashington. D.C. 2059
Research and
Administration
Special Programs
MAR 1 6 2001
Trooper William I. Reese
Ref. No. 00-0036
Idaho State Police
Hazardous Materials Specialist
5205 South 5th Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83204
Dear Trooper Reese:
This is in reference to your letter dated January 21, 2000, in.which you raised several questions
anhydrous ammonia or liquefied petroleum gas under the provisions in 49 CFR 173.315(a),
concerning the use of a non-DOT specification cargo tank motor vehicle for the transportation of
Note 17, or (k), respectively. I apologize for the delay in responding. Your questions are
paraphrased and answered in the order posed in your letter.
Q1.
Under the provisions for the transportation of anhydrous ammonia prescribed in
§ 173.315(a), Note 17, may a nonspecification cargo tank motor vehicle be used in a
state that had no specific state laws that allowed or addressed its use prior to January 1,
1981?
Al.
The answer is yes. The continued use of a nonspecification cargo tank motor vehicle
transporting anhydrous ammonia is permitted under the following conditions: (1) the
state had not adopted the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-
180) prior to January 1, 1981; (2) the state's laws that were in effect prior to January 1,
1981, permitted or never prohibited the use of a nonspecification cargo tank motor
vehicle for the transportation of anhydrous ammonia, and (3) the conditions prescribed in
§ 173.315(a), Note 17, are met.
Conversely, the continued use of a cargo tank motor vehicle is not permitted if prior to
January 1, 1981, the state had adopted, or had incorporated by reference, the HMR
requirements into its own regulations. In this situation, the continued use of the cargo
tank is permitted under the conditions prescribed in § 173.315(a), Note 17, only if the
state's laws specifically permitted the use of a nonspecification cargo tank for
transportation of a hazardous material in intrastate commerce.
Q2.
May the nonspecification cargo tank motor vehicle referred to in Q1 be used in interstate
commerce or must the cargo tank be used in intrastate only; that is, within a single state
only?
/73.315
000036

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A2.
The nonspecification cargo tank may be used in intrastate commerce only, as stated in
paragraph 7 to § 173.315, Note 17.
Q3.
Under the provisions for the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas prescribed in
§ 173.315(k), can a nonspecification cargo tank motor vehicle be used in a state that had
no specific state laws that allowed or addressed its use prior to January 1, 1981?
A3.
Yes, see explanation in Al above.
Q4. May the nonspecification cargo tank motor vehicle referred to in Q3 be used in interstate
commerce or must the cargo tank be used in intrastate only; that is, within a single state
only?
A4. See A2 above.
Q5.
May a carrier who has operations in more than one state that allows the use of a
nonspecification cargo tank motor vehicle under the provisions in § 173.315(a), Note 17,
or § 173.315(k), move periodically the cargo tank from state to state as long as it is used
specifically for intrastate commerce after it is moved?
A5.
No. Prior to January 1, 1981, certain states permitted the use of these nonspecification
cargo tanks under the terms of a state permit only. Some states had stricter operating
controls than others. The final rules were adopted on the basis that these cargo tanks
when properly maintained could continue to operate exclusively within that same state
until taken out of service.
06.
Why were these intrastate commerce provisions adopted into the HMR?
A6.
With the passage of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1974, states were
encouraged to adopt the HMR to promote uniformity in safety regulations throughout the
nation. As states began adopting the HMR, it was brought to our attention that a number
of cargo tanks not subject to the HMR had been constructed in conformance with certain
consensus standards and used in intrastate commerce for many years. The situation
intensified with the adoption of a rule in 1980 that extended authority over the intrastate
shipment of hazardous substances by motor carrier and made the provisions of the HMR
apply to the carriage of these substances. Anhydrous ammonia was one of the materials
designated as a hazardous substance with a reportable quantity of 100 pounds. We
adopted the provisions in § 173.315 (a), Note 17, and (k) to permit the continued use of
these nonspecification cargo tanks for the transportation of anhydrous ammonia (Docket
HM-166K, 47 FR 7244; February 18, 1982) and liquefied petroleum gas (Docket HM-
1661, 47 FR 7242; February 18, 1982). The provisions permit the continued use of these
cargo tanks in intrastate commerce until they are taken out of service and replaced with
new cargo tanks that meet DOT requirements. These regulatory actions were taken to
provide economic relief to the agricultural community and to small business operators.
2

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I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Hatte 2. mitchell
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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:
STATE OF IDAHO
DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
IDAHO STATE POLICE DIVISION
DIRK KEMPTHORNE
E.D. STRICKFADEN
Governor
Direc anuary 21, 2000
US Department of Transportation
Hattie Mitchell
400 7" Stroct SW, Room 8422
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Washingion, DC 20590
Ms. Mitahell,
Per on conversation on the phone I would request clarification on the following issue's:
1) In 173.315(a), Note 17, there is a specific exception for the use of non-specification cargo tanks used to transport
operated exclusively in intrastate commerce (including its operation by a motor carrier otherwise engaged in
anhydrous ammonia. There are eight specific requirement's listed for these tanks. Number seven states.
interstate commerce) in a state where its operation was permited by the laws of that state (not including
state laws that allowed or addressed their use prior to January 1, 1981?
incorporation of this subchapter) prior to January 1, 1981". Can these tanks be used in a slale that had no specific
2). Can the tanks referred to in question #I be used in interstare commerce or must the unks only be used intrastate
is she stase where they are being operated?
3) In 173.315(k) there is a specific exception for the usc of non-specification cargo tanks usca to transport liquefied
petroleum gas.
exclusively in intrastate commerce (including its operation by a motor carrier otherwise engaged in interstate
There are eight specific requirement's listed for these tanks Number six states, "Is operated
his subchapter) priar to January 1, 1981". Can these lanks be used in a state that had no specific stale laws tha
ommerce) in a state where its operation was permitted by the laws of that state (not including the incorporation o
allowed or addressed their use prior to January 1, 1981?
4)
Can the lanks referred to in question #3 be used in interstate commerce or must the tanks only be used intrastare
in the state where they are being operated!
5) Can a carrier, who has operations in more than one state that allows the use of these tanks, move any of the lanks
mentioned above from state to state as long as they are used specifically for intrastate commerce after they are
6) Why was the intrastate commerde provision pur into the regulation to begin with?
You asked me on the phone when Idaho frst adopted the federal regulations by refrence. I am still trying to find the
that addressed the transportation of anhydrous ammonia or liquched petroleum gas.
cxact date. When I find out the exact date I will let you know. I do know that our state has had no specific state laws
These specific issues have surfaced several times over the last couple of years and several times just in the last mont
would send me copies of the final rule published in the federal register on 02/15/82.
n our state. We would like an official reply for our benefit as well as industries. I would also appreciate it if you
Sincerely,
uhea
Trooper William L. Rosc
Haurdous Materials Specialist
Idaho State Police
P.O. BOX 700. MERIDIAN, ID 83680-0700 • (208) 884-7200 • FAX (208) 884-7290
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
District d
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
602 W. Praltlc Avcnuc
2700 N & S Highway N
3056 Elder Street
626 Easland Drive S., Ste. D
5205 South Sti
1S40 Foult Drive
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 Lewiston, ID 83501
Boise, ID 83705
I'vin Falls, ID 83301
Pocatello, ID 83204
Idsho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: (20B) 772-6055
Phune: (208) 799-5151
Phone: (208)3343731 Phone: (208) 736-3072
Phone: (208)236-6466
Phone: (2118)525-7377
Fax: (208)772-8244
Fax:
(208) 799-5146
Fax: (208)334-2691 Fax: (208)736-3071
Fax: (208)236-6068 Fax: (208)525-7294
** TOTAL PAGE.02 **

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...
J.S. Departmen
400 Seventh St., S.W.
of Transportatior
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
MAR 2 2001
Mr. Ken Sumner
Reference No. 00-0218
President, KWS Training, Inc.
P.O. Box 562
Carrboro, NC 27510
Dear Mr. Sumner:
This is in response to your letter concerning the emergency response requirements in 49
CFR Part 172, Subpart G, for a "Consumer commodity, ORM-D." You asked why a
consumer commodity is excepted from having to meet the emergency response
requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180),
but must meet these same requirements under State Variation US 12 of the International
Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Transport of Dangerous
Goods by Air (the ICAO Technical Instructions).
Materials that are correctly described as consumer commodity and classed as ORM-D, as
provided by the HMR, or Class 9, as provided by the ICAO Technical Instructions, are
not required to meet the emergency response information requirements. Voluntary
compliance with this change was permitted after August 18, 2000(65 FR 50450, RSPA
Docket No. 99-6213, HM-218, copy enclosed). This authorization in the HMR serves as
a Competent Authority approval for the ICAO Technical Instructions. Also, State
Variation US 12 was revised to include this change, which will appear in the 2001-2002
edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
Hothe z. mithell
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Enclosure
:600
112

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Edmonson
$172.600(a)
KWS Training, Inc.
Emergency Response
Intormation
Specializing in hazardous materials transportation.
00-0218
PO Box 562
Carrboro NC 27510
(919) 929-7234
8/3/00
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)
10a in son, SC. 20500-0001
Dear Mr. Mazzullo,
In January of this year I emailed the question below to the Hazardous Materials
Information Center. They acknowledged the issue and thought additional review would
be appropriate. On the recommendation of the HMIC I then faxed the question to the
attention of Frits Wybenga and Bob Richards. Mr. Wybenga contacted me and suggested
I forward the question to you for a more formal response.
It appears the United States has two different positions on providing emergency
response information for shipments of consumer commodities. For shipments made under
the provisions of 49 CFR emergency response information is not required. For shipments
made under the ICAO Technical Instructions it appears emergency response information
is required.
The provisions of 172.600(d) except materials properly classified as an ORM-D
(consumer commodities and cartridges, small arms) from the emergency response
information requirements of Subpart G of Part 172. This means that shippers of consumer
commodities, by any mode of transport within the United States, do not have to provide
an emergency phone number or emergency response information.
(ICAO Technical Instructions) this appears to be incorrect. According to ICAO State
Variation USG-12 "On shipments to, from, within or transiting through the U.S.,
emergency response information as described below must be provided for all dangerous
goods other than magnetized material and dangerous goods for which no Transport
Document is required." Since consumer commodities require a transport document for
carriage aboard aircraft, emergency response information requirements appear to apply.

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Additionally, consumer commodities are considered Class 9, not ORM-D, under the
ICAO Technical Instructions. This means they do not qualify under 172.600(d) as
"properly classified as an ORM-D".
contradiction to require emergency response information under the ICAO Technical
Given the exception in 49 CFR for consumer commodities it seems a
Instructions. Would it be more appropriate to reword 172.600(d) and USG-12 for
consistency? Your clarification of this issue would be most appreciated.
Regards,
Then dum
fen Sumne
President
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