{"operation":"document","citation":"00-0348","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":"2001-05-11","effective_on":null,"summary":"00-0348 response to National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. concerning 180.407.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0348.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0348.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0348","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000348.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n•\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nWashington. D.C.\nMAY 1 1 2001\nMr. Clifford J. Harvison\nPresident\nRef. No. 00-0348\nNational Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.\n2200 Mill Road\nAlexandria, Virginia 22314\n•\nDear Mr: Harvison:\nThis responds to your letter, dated November 27, 2000, concerning cargo tank inspections and tests\nrequired by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 40 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you\nask about testing and marking requirements for insulated cargo tanks that are tested in accordance with\n$ 180.407(d).\nSection 180.407(c) establishes periodic inspection and test requirements for specification cargo tanks.\nGenerally, an MC 330, MC 331, and MC 338 cargo tank must undergo a visual external inspection\neach year. Section 180.407(d) requires a visual internal inspection in place of the visual external\ninspection for an insulated cargo tank, except for an MC 330 or MC 331 cargo tank. However, for a\ncargo tank, including an MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tank, for which an internal visual inspection is\nprecluded, either because the tank has an internal lining or coating or is not equipped with a manhole,\n§ 180.407(d) requires the tank to be pressure tested in accordance with § 180.407(c) and (g).\nConsistent with § 180.407(d), the chart in § 180.407(c) indicates that, except for MC 338 cargo\ntanks, all cargo tank that are insulated with no manhole or are insulated and lined must be pressure\ntested annually. An MC 338 cargo tank need only be pressure tested every five years. A cargo tank\nthat is successfully pressure tested in accordance with § 180.407(g) in lieu of a visual internal inspection\nmust be marked with a \"p\" and the month and year of the test (see § 180.415).\nEven where insulation precludes a visual external inspection of the tank shell, a visual external inspection\nof a cargo tank's piping, valves, gaskets, manholes, emergency devices, remote closures, and all major\nappurtenances and structural attachments must be conducted in accordance with § 180.407(d)(2). The\ncargo tank must be marked as specified in § 180.415 to indicate successful completion of the visual\nexternal inspection.\nI hope this satisfies your request.\nSincerel\nGale\nTransportation Regulations Specialist\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n190.407\n000348\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nNATIONAL TANK\nNTTC\nNATIONAL TANK TRUCK CARRIERS, INC.\nTRUCK CAPRIERS\nTHE NATIONAL\nORGANIZATION\nSERVING THE FOR - HIRE TANK\nTRUCK\nINDUSTRY\nCLIFFORD J. HARVISON\nPRESIDENT\n2200 MILL ROAD • ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-4677\nPHONE: 703/838-1960 • FAX: 703/684-5753\nJohnsen\nNovember 27, 2000\n$180.407(c)79)\nMr. Ron Kirkpatrick\nGeneral Engineer, DHM-22.1\nResearch & Special Programs Administration\nTest/Inspection\nUnited States Department of Transportation\n00-0348\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Mr. Kirkpatrick:\nThe purpose of this letter is to seek regulatory guidance and clarification with respect to\nSpecification Cargo Tanks which are insulated (with an outer jacket) and have no\nthe application of certain portions of 49 CFR Part 180 to MC 330, MC 331 and MC 338\nthe cargo tank for compliance purposes.\nmanhole or inspection opening. Our inquiry involves, also, the appropriate marking of\nNTTC believes that, since insulation and the lack of an inspection opening precludes an\nexternal and internal visual inspection, such tanks must be hydrostatically or\n(g)).\npneumatically tested on a five year basis (in accordance with 49 CFR 180.407 (c) and\n\"P\" marking (with the appropriate date) should be applied as indicia.\nMr. Kirkpatrick would you please verify that NTTC's interpretation is correct; or, if not,\nplease give appropriate guidance in this matter. Please understand that this is a matter of\non-going enforcement action, and a prompt response would be appreciated.\nPresident","truncated":false,"body_characters":3775}