# Carlton W. Hendrix, Jr — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 02-0140
- **title:** Carlton W. Hendrix, Jr — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-07-01
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 02-0140 concerning 177.840.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0140.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0140.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0140
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020140.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Sevonth St., S.W.
Special Programs
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
Administration
JUL 1 - 2002
Mr. Carlton W. Hendrix, JI.
230 Ellenwood Drive
Ref No. 02-0140
Canton, GA 30115-8276
Dear Mr. Hendrix:
This is in response to your May 1, 2002 letter requesting interpretation of the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 100-185) applicable to open valves on cargo tanks. Specifically,
you question the practice of some transporters of non-flammable, compressed gases leaving a valve,
located between the pump and the cargo tank's hose connection, slightly open on transports with a
capacity greater than 3500 water gallons. Per your letter, the purpose of this practice is to allow any
excess pressure that builds up in the 2 inch "wet" hose to return to the cargo tank through the bypass
feature of the internal valve.
As provided in § 177.840(g) each liquid discharge valve on a cargo tank motor vehicle, other than an
engine fuel line valve, must be closed during transportation except during loading and unloading. This
means each discharge valve in a liquid discharge system must be closed during transportation. This
requirement does not pertain to any intermediate isolation valves that may be present in a liquid
discharge system. The main internal valve and delivery hose end valve must be closed while in
transport. You are not required to close any other valves in the system.
I hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
When A lis
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

•
•
:
230 Ellenwood Drive
Canton, GA 30115-8276
Foster
May 1, 2002
Mr. Thomas G. Allen
§177.840 (9)
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Cargo Tanks
U.S. Department of Transportation
02-0140
400 Seventh Street, S. W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Sir:
I have a question concerning the requirements found in 49 CFR 177.840, (g). It states
"Each liquid discharge on a cargo tank, other than an engine fuel line valve, must be
closed during transportation except during loading and unloading"
There are some transporters of non-flammable, compressed gases that are leaving the
valve, located between the pump and the cargo tank's hose connection, slightly open on
transports with a capacity greater than 3500 water gallons. The purpose of this is to
allow any excess pressure that builds up in the 2 inch "wet" hose to return to the cargo
tank through the bypass feature of the internal valve.
It is my belief that this practice is contrary to the requirement found in 177.840(g).
Please advise if I am correct in my interpretation of the regulations so I can advise my
clients.
Sincerely,
Canton W. Hendrix, fo.
Carlton W. Hendrix. Jr.
....

<<<PAGE 3>>>

(770) 345-9451
> ROUTING & REQUEST
Please...
•Read
To: —
Foster
• Handle
New
~ Approve
Intrepretation
And...
•Forward
-
02-0140
• Return
• Keep or Recycle -
• Review with Me From:.
OD
Post-t 7664 COM 1996
Date: 5/16/02

<<<PAGE 4>>>

5/22/02
Del,
calla Ma Pendin to
confirm that he is sefessing ta
a liquid discharge sore, and not
an intermediate isolation volve
He confirmed chis inquiry pestains
its a liquid discharge value onlap.
Thanks,
Alean

<<<PAGE 5>>>

METRO
* 238 Ellenwood Drive
.. W. Hendrix, Jr.
C: MAY cit
Canton, GA 30115-8276
Mr. Thomas G. Allen
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
!
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
20530+0003
...!
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 3629
