{"operation":"document","citation":"00-0336","title":"National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2001-01-08","effective_on":null,"summary":"00-0336 response to National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. concerning 180.407.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0336.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0336.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0336","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000336.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nf Transportatio\nS.Departmen\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nJAN - 8 2001\nMr. John L. Conley\nRef. No. 00-0336\nVice President\nNational Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.\n2200 Mill Road\nAlexandria, Virginia 22314\nDear Mr. Conley:\nThis responds to your letter, dated November 29, 2000, concerning cargo tank inspections and\ntests required by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).\nSpecifically, you ask if an insulated MC 330 or MC 331 cargo tank must be pressure tested in\naccordance with § 180.407(d).\nThe answer is yes. Section 180.407(c) establishes periodic inspection and test requirements for\nspecification cargo tanks. Generally, an MC 330 or MC 331 specification cargo tank must\nundergo a visual external inspection each year. Section 180.407(d) requires a visual internal\ninspection in place of the visual external inspection for insulated cargo tanks, except for MC 330\nand MC 331 cargo tanks. However, for cargo tanks, including MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks,\ntor which an internal visual inspection is precluded, either because the tank has an internal lining\nor coating or is not equipped with a manhole, § 180.407(d) requires the tank to be pressure tested\nin accordance with § 180.407(c) and (g). Consistent with § 180.407(d), the chart in § 180.407(c)\nindicates that, except for MC 338 cargo tanks, all cargo tanks that are insulated with no manhole\nor are insulated and lined must be pressure tested annually.\nYou are correct that, even where insulation precludes a visual external inspection of the tank\nshell, a visual external inspection of a cargo tank's piping, valves, gaskets, manholes, emergency\nconducted in accordance with § 180.407(d)(2). The cargo tank must be marked as specified in\ndevices, remote closures, and all major appurtenances and structural attachments must be\n$ 180.415 to indicate successful completion of the visual external inspection.\n180.407\n000336\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nI hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact\nthis office.\nSincerely,\nThe\nThomas G. Allan\nSenior Transportation Regulations Specialist\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nGorsky\n$180.407 (d)\nNATIONAL TANK\nCargo\nTaNks\nNTTC\nNATIONAL TANK TRUCK CARRIERS, INC.\nTRUCK CARRIERS\nTHE\nNATIONAL\nORGANI\nFOR\nHIRE\nTANK 18450-0336\nINDUSTRY\nCLIFFORD J. HARVISON\nPRESIDENT\n2200 MILL ROAD • ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-4677\nPHONE: 703/838-1960 • FAX: 703/684-5753\nNovember 29, 2000\nMr. Edward Mazzullo\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nWashington D.C. 20590\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nWe would appreciate an interpretation of the Hazardous Materials Regulations\nin Part 180.407 (d) which reads as follows:\n(d) External visual inspection and testing. (1) Where insulation precludes external visual\ninspection, the cargo tank, other than an MC330 or MC331 cargo tank, must be given a\nvisual internal inspection in accordance with section 180.407(e). The tank must be\nhydrostatically or pneumatically tested in accordance with section 180.407 ( c) and (g)\nDoes an insulated MC330 or MC331 cargo tank have to be hydrostatically or\npneumatically tested? It is clear that there is no requirement for an internal\nto all tanks or tanks except MC330/331 tanks. We have received different\ninspection, but \"The tank\" in the second sentence is not clear whether it applies\ninterpretations from the field, so would appreciate your guidance. We do\nbelieve that other parts of the external visual inspection must be conducted and\nthe tank marked with a \"V\"\nThank you for your assistance.\nSincerely,\npola Coule\nohn L. Conley\nVice President","truncated":false,"body_characters":3705}