# Wisconsin Propane Council — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 06-0279
- **title:** Wisconsin Propane Council — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2006-12-28
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 06-0279 response to Wisconsin Propane Council concerning 172.315, 172.400, 172.514.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0279.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0279.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0279
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060279.pdf
**body:**

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of Transportation
U.S. Department
00 Seventh Street, S.v
Vashington, D.C. 2059
Pipeline and
DEC 28 2006
Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration
Mr. Ronald Sutherland
Ref. No.: 06-0279
Wisconsin Propane Council
2308 Jubilee Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311
Dear Mr. Sutherland:
This is in response to your December 20, 2006 letter regarding labeling and placarding
requirements for bulk packagings under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49
CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask a series of questions regarding transportation
of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage container that is constructed to the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code and is for permanent installation on
consumer premises. You state that the tanks generally have a capacity of 500 or 1,000
include pictures of these bulk propane storage containers loaded on tank setting trailers
gallons and satisfy the conditions of § 173.315() for LPG storage containers. You
and flat bed trucks. Your questions are summarized and answered as follows:
Q1: Does an LPG bulk storage container meet the definition of "portable tank" as defined
in § 171.8 or "other bulk packaging" as referenced in §§ 172.331 and 172.514?
Al: An LPG bulk storage container that meets the conditions of § 173.315(j) and is built
defined in § 171.8. A bulk storage container meeting the conditions set forth in
in compliance with section VIII of the ASME Code is not considered a portable tank as
§ 173.315(j) is considered a non-specification bulk packaging, or "other bulk packaging"
for hazard communication requirements of Part 172.
Q2: Is an LPG bulk storage container subject to labeling requirements for a bulk
less than 18m° (640 cubic feet) as specified in § 172.400(a)(2); or, is it subject o the
packaging, other than a cargo tank, portable tank, or tank car, with volumetric capacity of
labeling requirements for portable tanks specified in § 172.400(a)(3)?
A2: The LPG bulk storage container is subject to the labeling requirements for bulk
packagings specified in § 172.400(a)(2). See A1.
placarded in accordarice with Subpart F of Part 172?
Q3: Is an LPG bulk storage container required to be labeled if the tank setting trailer is
A3: Yes. A bulk packaging, other than a cargo tank, portable tank, or tank car, with a
volumetric capacity of less than 18m' (640 cubic feet) is required to be labeled in
72.315(
72.700
060279
172.514

<<<PAGE 2>>>

accordance with § 172.400(a)(2) unless the packaging itself is placarded in accordance
with Subpart F of Part 172.
Q4: Is an LPG bulk storage container eligible for the placarding exception in
§ 172.514(c)(3) for a bulk packaging, other than a portable tank, cargo tank, cr tank car?
§ 172.514(c)(1) applicable to portable tanks; or, is it eligible for the exception in
A4: The LPG bulk storage container is eligible for the exception in § 172.514(c)(3) for a
bulk packaging, other than a portable tank, cargo tank, or tank car. See Al.
Q5: Are the labeling and placarding requirements different for a 500 gallon LPG bulk
storage container than a 1,000 gallon LPG bulk storage container?
18m°(640 cubic feer).
A5: No. Provided the volumetric capacity of each LPG bulk storage container is below
Q6: Is the LPG bulk storage container required to be placarded if it is loaded on a tank
setting trailer or flat bed truck that is placarded?
opposing sides in accordance with § 172.400(a)(2). Placards displayed on a tank setting
A6: The LPG bulk storage container must be placarded, unless it is labeled on two
trailer or flat bed truck do not preclude the requirement to label or placard the bulk
packaging.
Q7: Is it permissible to display placards and identification numbers when transporting an
empty LPG bulk storage container?
packaging or transport vehicle unless the bulk packaging or transport vehicle contains a
A7: The HMR prohibit the display of labels, placards or identification numbers on a bulk
packaging or transport vehicle that contains a residue of a hazardous material must
material that meets the definition of a hazardous material under the HMR. However, a
display the appropriate labels, placards, and identification numbers unless otherwise
excepted under § 173.29.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact this office.
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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Er chenlac
Page 1 of 1
Gale, John <PHMSA>
8172.514
From: Ronald Sutherland [wiperc@ yahoo.com]
Labeling Placarding
Wednesday, December 20, 2006 2:10 PM
Gale, John <PHMSA>
06-0217
Subject: Letter -Reference #06-0223
John Gale,
the Minnesota Department of Transportation in reference to placarding ASME Storag: Tanks. Could
This is in regards to the letter dated November 15, 2006 reference #06-0223 to a Mr. Michael Ritchie at
you please send me a letter with the same information in Mr. Ritchies letter?
Ronald Sutherland
Thank you,
Ronald Sutherland- Executive Director
2308 Jubilee Dr.
Wisconsin Propane Council
800-862-0630
Green Bay, WI 54311
Fax-920-965-0672
Email-wiperc@yahoo.com
www.wiperc.com
12/28/2006
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