# Manager Transportation Regulations and Security — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0069
- **title:** Manager Transportation Regulations and Security — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-04-27
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0069 response to Manager Transportation Regulations and Security concerning 180.605.
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0069.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0069
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070069.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration
APR
7 2007
Mr. Mark Connolly
Ref. No.: 07-0069
Akzo Nobel Chemicals Inc
Manager Transportation Regulations and Security
300 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-6697
Dear Mr. Connolly:
This is in response to your March 23, 2007 letter regarding the schedule for the periodic
inspection and test of IM and UN portable tanks under the Hazardous Materials Regulations
(HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). In your letter you describe a scenario in which the initial
inspection and test before the portable tank was put into service was performed in May of 2002
2004; that is, two months early. You ask if an additional intermediate periodic requalification
and the intermediate periodic test and inspection (requalification) was performed in September of
requalification.
must be performed in March of 2007; that is, two months prior to the 5-year periodic
The answer is no. In accordance with § 180.605(c)(1), an intermediate periodic requalification
must be performed at least 2.5 years following the initial inspection and thereafter every 2.5
requalification schedule contained in the HMR with that contained in the United Nations'
years following the 5-year periodic requalification. It was our intention to align the periodic
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Paragraph 6.7.2.19 of the UN
Recommendations provides for the 2.5-year intermediate periodic requalification to be
performed within 3 months of the specified date. We take a similar position in this matter.
Therefore, in the scenario described in your letter, the next required inspection and test, the 5-
year periodic requalification, is due May 2007.
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
180.605()()
070069

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Vollack
3178.605(81)
Testing
07-0069
AKZO NOBEL
March 23, 2007
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (PHH-10)
Office of hazardous Materials Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street S. W.
Washington, DC 20590
Subject: Periodic test/Inspection of IM and UN Portable Tanks 49CFR 178. 178.605 (c) (1)
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
inspection.
export portable tanks from the U.S. globally and must comply with DOT and IMO
We request your clarification of compliance with 49CFR 178.605 (c) (1) as we load and
(6.7.2.19.2) regulations. Please review the following 3 scenarios...
Scenario 1: IMO Type 1 Portable Tank
May 2002
November 2004
Initial inspection before being put into service
Intermediate periodic test and inspection (30 months)
May 2007
5 year periodic test and inspection
It is Akzo Nobel Chemicals Inc' interpretation that the intermediate periodic test and
inspection and 5 year periodic test and inspection meet DOT and IMO because
The November 2004 intermediate periodic test and inspection was conducted at least 2
years following the initial inspection. The May 2007 periodic test and inspection is
within 5 years of the initial inspection.
Akzo Nobel Chemicals Inc. 525 W Van Buren Street Chicago IL 60607

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Scenario 2: IMO Type 1 Portable Tank for Filling in U.S. and Export Water Shipment
Initial inspection before being put into service
September 2004
Intermediate periodie test and inspection (28 months)
5 year periodic test and inspection
From time to time, due to the long water transport times and extended foreign customer
hold times Akzo Nobel Chemicals must perform its intermeditate periodic test and
inspection of portable tanks a few months carlier than the 2 ½ year interval. It is Akzo
Nobel Chemicals Inc' interpretation that the intermediate periodic test and inspection and
5 year periodic test and inspection meet DOT requirements for scenario 2 because:
years following the initial inspection. The May 2007 periodic test and inspection is
The September 2004 intermediate periodic test and inspection was conducted at least 2½
within 5 years of the initial inspection.
meets the requirements of the IMO regulations but not DOT regulations. Below is their
Our Isotank supplier has advised us that the above noted interpretation of scenario 2
interpretation of how 49CFR 178.605 (c) (1) applies to scenario 2:
Isotank supplier Interpretation of Scenario 2: IMO Type 1 Portable Tank for Filling in
U.S. and Export Water Shipment
May 2002
Initial inspection before being put into service
September 2004
Intermediate periodic test and inspection (28 months early)
March 2007
May 2007
Your assistance in clarification of the application of 49CFR 178.605 (c) (1) whe
erforming carly intermediate periodic tests and inspections is appreciated
Sincerely.
Manager, Transportation Regulations and Security
Tel#
312 544-7177
312 544-7087
Email mark.connolly@akzonobcl.com
Akzo Nobel Chemicals Inc. 525 W Van Buren Street Chicago IL 60607
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