# R and J Trucking — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 03-0181
- **title:** R and J Trucking — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2003-09-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 03-0181 response to R and J Trucking concerning 172.102.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0181.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0181.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0181
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030181.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
SEP 1w: 4 2003
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Research and
Washington, D.C. 2059C
Administration
Speciai Programs
Mr. Daniel J. Fire
Ref. No. 03-0181
Director of Safety
American Bulk Commoditics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Rand J Trucking
8063 Southern Blyd
Youngstown, OH 44513
Dear Mr. Fire:
This responds to your July 10, 2003 letter requesting clarification on the use of Special Provision B115
under § 172.102 under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Specifically, you request clarification of this special provision when transporting "Aluminum smelting by-
products or Aluminum remelting by-products, 4.3, UN 3170, PG II" in a dump trailer motor vehicle
covered by a roll tarp.
According to your letter, your driver was transporting the Aluminum remelting by-products in a dump
trailer covered with a vinyl roll tarp. The driver received a citation from the Ohio State Highway Patrol
for using a tarp that did not allow for venting as required under Special Provision B115. It is your
understanding that the tarp used on your trailer does keep water out, and, also provides for venting
where the tarp sets on the sides and rear of the trailer.
Special Provision B115 authorizes the use of rail cars, highway trailers, roll-on/roll-off bins or other
non-specification bulk packagings for transporting these aluminum by-products. Special Provision
B115 also requires that these bulk packagings be sift-proof, prevent liquid water from reaching the
hazardous material, and be provided with sufficient venting to preclude dangerous accumulation of
flammable, corrosive, or toxic gaseous emissions such as methane, hydrogen, and ammonia. In
addition, the material must be loaded dry. Based on the information and drawing of the dump trailer
with tarp provided in your letter, it is the opinion of this Office that your dump trailer covered with a
vinyl roll tarp does meet all the requirements of Special Provision B115, including venting.
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Than Ondy
Susan Gorsky
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
030181
172,102

<<<PAGE 2>>>

R&) TRUCKING, INC.
American Bulk
JOHN BROWN TRUCKING, INC.
Commodities, Inc.
SOUTHERN HAULERS, LLC
Corporate Office
and Subsidiaries
8063 Southern Bivd. • Boardman, Ohio 44512
Phone (330) 758-0841 • Fax (330) 758-8170
July 10, 2003
Director of Office of Hazardous Material Standard
Edward Mazzullo
Special Provisions
USDOT/RSPA (EHM-10)
400 7* Street SW
03 - 0181
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Mr. Mazzullo;
I am writing to you in regards to an interpretation of 172.102 (B115). We transport
"Aluminum Processing By-Product", UN3170, PGII, 4.3 ("saltcake"), in aluminum dump
trailers covered by vinyl roll tarps. One of our drivers was stopped by the Ohio State
for venting as required by the above referenced special provision. I spoke with Mike Hines
Highway Patrol and put out of service because the Trooper stated that the tarp did not allow
of the PUCO and was told that only a tarp is required to keep water out, but that I would
need to get an interpretation from your office. Our roll tarps do indeed keep the water out of
the load and also allow for venting where the tarp sets on the sides and rear of the trailer. If
you will look to the bottom of this page, I have circled a picture of one of our dump trailers
with this type of roll tarp. I am requesting something in writing that I can provide to my
drivers to carry in the truck, if indeed we are correct, so we may continue to haul this
material without being placed out of service.
I would like to thank you in advance for any help you can give me on this matter. If
you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 800-262-9365.
Yours truly,
Daniel J. Fire
Director of Safety
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