{"operation":"document","citation":"03-0304","title":"Mr. Thomas Lee Bartlett — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2004-04-21","effective_on":null,"summary":"03-0304 concerning 180.405.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0304.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0304.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0304","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030304.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n!\nU.S. Department\n400 Seventh St., S.W.\nof Transportation\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nResearch and\nAPR 21 2004\nSpecial Programs\nAdministration\nMr. Thomas Lee Bartlett\nRef. No. 03-0304\nAttorney at Law\nSuite 3 North\n402 Main at Preston\nHouston, TX 77002\nDear Mr. Bartlett:\nThis is in response to your letter requesting clarification\nconcerning requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations\n(HMR), 49 CFR Parts 171-180, applicable to DOT Specification\nan MC-312 cargo tank offloading 32% hydrochloric acid from the\ntank motor vehicles.\nYou state that your request concerns\nproduct ball valve located in the discharge piping on top of the\ntop of the cargo tank using pressure above 15 psig. A PVC manual\ncargo tank failed.\nthe outlet nozzle blanked off for the customer to install the dip\nThis cargo tank was manufactured in 1994 with\npipe, valve and piping.\nI am answering your questions in the\norder as they appear in your letter.\nQ1. In 1994, were polyvinyl chloride (PVC) valves authorized on\nMC-312 cargo tank motor vehicles?\nAl. In 1994, a PVC (non-metallic) manually operated ball valve\ntank motor vehicle provided the material was capable of\nlocated in the product discharge could be used on an MC 312 cargo\nwithstanding the pressures specified in the MC 312 specification.\nof the HMR, although new cargo tank constructions were authorized\nThe MC 312 specification was last published in The 1990 edition\nto be marked\nand certified to the MC 312 specification until\nOctober 31, 1995 (See current $ 180.405 (c) (1)). The applicable\nrequirements in the 1990 49 CFR,\nat\n§ 178.340-8 (d) (3), state in\npart:\npiping and fittings for tanks to be unloaded by pressure\nStrength of piping, fittings, hose and hose couplings: Hose,\nshall be designed for a bursting pressure of\nPresure to which, in and not 1ebe than four times che\nin service by the action, of any vehicle mounted pump or\nit may be subjected\n§180.405\n3180.407\n030304\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\naction of which may be to subject certain portions of\nother device (not including safety relief valves), the\nthe tank piping and hose to pressures greater than the\ndesign pressure of the tank.\nQ2. Are MC-412 cargo tank motor vehicles authorized to use PVC\nvalves?\nA2.\nYes.\nSection 178.345-9 (h)\nmetallic pipe, valve or connection line that is not as strong and\nauthorizes the use of a non-\nheat resistant as the cargo tank material only when the\nattachment is located outside of the lading retention system.\n03. In January 2001, was a PVC valve installed as a replacement\non an MC-312 cargo tank motor vehicle authorized?\nA3. Yes (see A2).\ncargo tank motor vehicle that was unloaded from the top using air\n24. In 2002, was a remote closure device required on an MC-312\npressure?\nA4. Yes, see § 180.405 (f) (1) .\nSincerely,\nHothe z. Mithell\nHattie I. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\noffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nM'Intyre\n$180.405\nTHOMAS LEE BARTLETT\n@180.407\nATTORNEY AT LAW\nTanks\n713-225-6902\nTELEPHONE\n402 MAIN at PRESTON, SUITE 3 NORTH\nHOUSTON, TEXAS 77002\nTELECOPIER\n03-0304\n713-225-0264\nNovember 18, 2003\n03 NOV 26\nDOT/RSPA.\nRobert A. McGuire\nPh 2: 47\nUNIT\n/OHMS\nAssociate Administrator for Hazardous\nMaterials\n400 7\" Street S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590-0001\nRe:\nCause No. 2002-46963; Wilson A. Andrade v. L & B Transport,\nTex.C., et al; In the 190\" Judicial District Court of Harris County,\nDear Mr. McGuire:\nThis is a request for interpretation. It concerns an MC-312 Cargo Tank offloading\n32% hydrochloric acid from the top, using pressure above 15 psig. A PVC manual product\nball valve located in the discharge piping on top of the cargo tank failed. This cargo tank\nwas manufactured in 1994 with the outlet nozzle blanked off for the customer to install the\ndip pipe, valve and piping.\nQuestions:\n1.\nIn 1994, were PVC valves authorized on an MC-312?\n2.\nAre MC-412 cargo tanks authorized to use PVC valves?\n3.\nIs a PVC valve installed as a replacement on an MC-312 cargo tank in\nJanuary of 2001 authorized?\n4.\nWas a remote closure device required on an MC-312 during 2002,\nwhich unloaded from the top using air pressure?\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nYour timely response would be greatly appreciated\nSincerely yours,\nPhomas Lee Bartlett\nC:lAndradelmeguire1ltr.wpd","truncated":false,"body_characters":4258}