# The Fertilizer Institute — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 05-0207
- **title:** The Fertilizer Institute — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2006-01-05
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 05-0207 response to The Fertilizer Institute concerning 171.7.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0207.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0207.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0207
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050207.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safety
JAN - 5 2006
Ms. Pamela
D. Guffain
Ref. No.: 05-0207
The Fertilizer Institute
Union Center Plaza
820 First Street, NE
Suite
430
Washington, DC 20002
Dear Ms. Guffain:
This is in response to your August 19, 2005 letter regarding
transportation of anhydrous ammonia in nurse tanks under the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) .
The Fertilizer Institute has been granted a special permit
(DOT SP-13554), which allows its members to use nurse tanks
that have missing or unreadable nameplates, provided certain
tests or re-tests are conducted. With your letter you include
a proposed amendment to the Iowa Code that would allow ASME
containers with missing or unreadable nameplates to have new
nameplates installed. You ask that we review the Iowa Code
amendment and interpret its relevance to your special permit.
The transportation of anhydrous ammonia in commerce in non-DOT
specification cargo tanks (nurse tanks) must conform to the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Section 173.315 (m) specifies the requirements for nurse tanks.
In conformance with § 173.315 (m) (1), each tank must be marked
in accordance with the edition of Section VIII of the ASME
Code that was incorporated by reference in § 171.7 at the time
it was manufactured.
The marking is the manufacturer's
certification that the tank conforms to all applicable ASME
Code requirements. This marking includes the ASME code symbol
stamped on the plate and only the original "U" stamp
certificate holder is authorized to use that symbol.
Any nurse tank authorized under § 173.315 (m) for which the
ASME
nameplate is missing or unreadable must be brought into
compliance with the applicable marking requirements in the
ASME Code. To do this, the owner of the nurse tank must first
provide documentation to the original manufacturer that
demonstrates that the nurse tank was designed and constructed
173.315 (m)
171.7
050207

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in accordance with the ASME code. Once this occurs, the
manufacturer will be in a position to issue and stamo a
replacement ASME name plate. Replacement ASME name plates
must be attached in accordance with the (NBIC) National Board
Inspection Code, Part RB 1030(b). The only other alternative
is to apply for a new special permit or obtain party status to
an applicable special permit as specified under Part 107,
Subpart B.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further
questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Sincerely,
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Pollack
The Fertilizer Institute
5173.315 (m)
Nourish, Replenish, Grow
Director
Pam Guffain
Government Relations
Cargo Tanks
05-02.07
August 19, 2005
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
400 7" Street, S.W.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
It is our understanding of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations that nurse tanks
without the required ASME nameplate are not legal for transportation in commerce. As TFI
became aware of many nurse tanks in anhydrous ammonia service without the required ASME
identification plate, TFI filed an exemption application which DOT has granted (DOT E-13554).
In granting the exemption, DOT requires certain tests and re-tests on anhydrous ammonia nurse
Recently the attached proposal was brought to our attention. We would appreciate an
interpretation by DOT regarding our understanding of the DOT regulations in this regard.
Please feel free to contact me via telephone at (202) 515-2704 or via e-mail at pguffain@tfi.org.
Sincerely yours,
Pamela D. Guffain
820 First Street, NE Suite 430
Union Center Plaza
202.962.0490
Washington, DC 20002
202.962.0577 fax
www.tfi.org

<<<PAGE 4>>>

AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT [21]
Adopted and Filed Emergency
Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code sections 159.5(11) and 200.14, the
Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship hereby amends Chapter 43, 'Fertilizers
and Agricultural Lime," Iowa Administrative Code.
The proposed amendment strikes an exception to the requirement of nameplates
on anhydrous ammonia tanks and is to add a new rule pertaining to the certification/re-
nameplating of anhydrous ammonia applicators and nurse tanks with unreadable or
missing nameplates under the jurisdiction of the Department. This proposed rule has
delegated the certification/re-nameplating process to firms that hold a valid R-stamp, in
compliance with the current edition of the National Board Inspection Code. The Federal
Department of Transportation regulations require legible nameplates on applicators and
nurse tanks.
Pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.4(2), the Department finds that notice and
public participation are impractical. The Department has had numerous conversations
with industry regarding an Iowa certification/re-nameplating program. Notice and public
participation would needlessly delay enactment of this program.
Participation in the
program is voluntary for the agency.
The Department also finds, pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.5(2)"b"(2), that
the normal effective date of these amendments, 35 days after publication, should be

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waived and the amendment should be made effective upon filing with the Administrative
Rules Coordinator. The amendment confers a benefit to the fertilizer industry because it
permits those firms that wish to participate a way achieve compliance with Federal
Department of Transportation regulations.
No waiver provision is included in this amendment. However, the Department
has a general rule which allows for waivers in appropriate cases. The waiver rule applies
to these amendments.
This amendment is also published herein under Notice of Intended Action as
ARC_
to allow for public comment.
This amendment is intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 200.
This amendment became effective upon filing.
A fiscal impact summary prepared by the Legislative Services Agency pursuant to
Iowa Code Supplement §17A.4(3) will be available at
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IAC.html or at (515)281-5279 prior to the Administrative
Rules Review Committee's review of this rule making.
The following amendment is adopted.
ITEM 1. Amend rule 21-43.6(200) by striking numbered exception 8 and
inserting in lieu thereof the following:
8. Insert a new subrule 5.4.2.9 to read as follows:
5.4.2.9 Recertification of Non-Refrigerated Containers and Systems Other Than
DOT Containers. Containers with unreadable or missing nameplates may be recertified
and have nameplates installed with the following information:
A. An identification number issued by the department.

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B. The certification date.
C. The maximum allowable working pressure.
D. The wall thickness of the container shell and heads in inches or millimeters.
E. The water capacity of the container in pounds or kilograms or United States
standard gallons or cubic meters (m3) at 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees centigrade).
Items A through E must be determined and documented on forms provided by the
department by a company that holds a valid R-stamp in compliance with the current
edition of the National Board Inspection Code.
Nurse tanks and applicator tanks with unreadable or missing nameplates may be
recertified and have name plates installed by July 1, 2008.
Patty Judge
Secretary of Agriculture
Date
Rules/Feed and Fertilizer/Nurse Tank Recertification--Emergency.doc
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