# D.J.'s Truck Repair, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 06-0260
- **title:** D.J.'s Truck Repair, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2008-02-25
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 06-0260 response to D.J.'s Truck Repair, Inc. concerning 180.407.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0260.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0260.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0260
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060260.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
FEB 2 5 2008
Mr. David Jones
Owner
D.J.'s Truck Repair, Inc.
7202 Herter Industrial Drive
Godfrey, IL 62035
Ref. No. 06-0260
Dear Mr. Jones:
This responds to your letter requesting clarification of the rejection criteria when performing a
leakage test on a cargo tank motor vehicle that is used primarily for the transportation of
compressed gases, such as anhydrous ammonia and propane, under the Hazardous materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171 -1 80). Specifically, you ask if the back flow check
valve installed on a product inlet opening (spray fill line) is considered a self-closing stop
valve and, therefore, must be leak tight when leak tested under 9 180.407(h). You state that
when the liquid valve is opened while testing the product piping system under pressure, the
back flow check valve will often leak. I apologize for the delay in responding and hope it has
not caused any inconvenience.
Under 9 178.337-8(a)(3), each product inlet opening must be fitted with a back flow check
valve or an internal self-closing stop valve located inside the cargo tank or inside a welded
nozzle that is an integral part of the cargo tank. Under the leakage test requirements in
tj 180.407(h), only internal or external self-closing stop valves and product piping and
delivery hoses are required to be tested for leak tightness under pressure. Therefore, a back
flow check valve is not required to be leak tight and would need not be considered under the
rejection criteria under 4 180.407(h)(3).
I trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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D. J. 's Truck Repair, Inc.
7202 Herter Industrial Drive + Godfrey, IL 62035
Phone (618) 466-9346 +Fax (618) 466-6634 06-1>zbO
November 8,2006
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Research and Special Programs Administration
ATTN: DHM- 10
U. S . Department of Transportation
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 205 90-000 1
My question concerns the back check valve installed on the spray fill line of NH3 and LP bulk
transports. Specifically, is the back check valve considered a self-closing stop valve that should seal
leak tight.
When conducting a leakage test per Title 49 CFR, 180.407 (h) quite often the back check valve will
leak after opening the liquid valve to flood and test the product piping system. Some industry
personnel claim that the back check valve should leak to stabilize the internal prcssure. Others feel
that if it leaks it should be replaced.
Since there is the cost of relieving the internal pressure, to replace the leaking valve, the cost of the
valve and the re-pressurization of the bulk transport, I am requesting your interpretation of the
condition.
Thank you for your consideration and I await vour reply.
David ones'
Owner
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