# Innovative Safety Solutions, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0219
- **title:** Innovative Safety Solutions, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2008-03-05
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0219 response to Innovative Safety Solutions, Inc. concerning 173.315, 180.407.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0219.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0219.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0219
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070219.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
MAR 5 2008
Mr. Albert Calkin
Transportation Safety Consultant
Innovative Safety Solutions, Inc.
33 10 Baldy Drive
Helena. MT 59602-9568
Ref. No.: 07-021 9
Dear Mr. Calkin:
This responds to your November 2,2007 letter requesting clarification on testing MC 330 or
MC 33 1 cargo tank motor vehicles under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49
CFR Parts 17 1 - 1 80). Specifically, you ask for interpretation of the requirement for
conducting wet fluorescent magnetic particle examination in conjunction with the
performance of the pressure test of MC 330 and MC 33 1 cargo tank motor vehicles as
specified in 8 180.407(g)(3) of the HMR.
Section 173.3 15, Note 15 states that MC 330 and MC 33 1 cargo tanks constructed of other
than quenched and tempered steel (NGT) are authorized for all grades of liquefied petroleum
gases (LPG). Only grades of LPG determined to be "noncorrosive" are authorized in
Specification MC 330 and MC 33 1 cargo tanks constructed of quenched and tempered steel
(QT). "Noncorrosive" means the corrosiveness of the gas does not exceed the limitations for
classification 1 of the ASTM Copper Strip Classifications when tested in accordance with
ASTM D 1838, "Copper Strip Corrosion by Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases".
Each MC 330 and MC 33 1 cargo tank transporting LPG, constructed of quenched and
tempered steel or constructed of other than quenched and tempered steel without postweld
heat treatment, must be internally inspected by the wet fluorescent magnetic particle method
immediately prior to and in conjunction with the performance of the pressure test prescribed
in 5 180.407(g)(3).
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

November 2,2007
U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20590
RE: Request for Interpretation
Dear Sir.
I am requesting a written interpretation of the requirement for conducting wet fluorescent
magnetic particle examination in conjunction with the performance of the pressure test of
MC 330 or MC 33 1 cargo tank motor vehicles as shown in 49 CFR 180.407(g)(3).
Paragraph three reads in part that Each MC 330 and MC 33 1 cargo tank constructed of
quenched and tempered steel in accordance with Part UHT in Section VIII of the ASME
Code (IBR, see $171.7 of this subchapter), or constructed of other than quenched and
tempered steel but without postweld heat treatment, used for the transportation of
anhydrous ammonia or any other hazardous materials that may cause corrosion stress
cracking, must be internally inspected by the wet fluorescent magnetic particle method
immediately prior to and in conjunction with the performance of the pressure test
prescribed in this section.
The second sentence of paragraph three addresses the testing of Each MC 330 and MC
33 1 cargo tank constructed of quenched and tempered steel in accordance with Part UHT
in Section VIII of the ASME Code and used for the transportation of liquefied petroleum
gas.
Specifically, MC 330 and MC 331 Cargo tanks constructed of quenched and tempered
steel, which transport liquefied petroleum gas, is addressed in sentence 2, but that
sentence fails to address liquefied petroleum gas transported in MC 330 and MC 331

<<<PAGE 3>>>

cargo tanks constructed of other than quenched and tempered steel but without postweld
heat treatment.
The that needs to be answered is how I determine if a hazardous material
"may cause corrosion stress cracking". Specifically, does liquefied petroleum gas fall
into the category, that it may cause corrosion stress cracking.
The s e d q w s e i m is if liquefied petroleum gas does fall into the category that it may
cause corrosion stress cracking, then are MC 330 and MC 33 1 cargo tanks constructed of
other than quenched and tempered steel but without postweld heat treatment required to
be internally inspected by the wet fluorescent magnetic particle method immediately
prior to and in conjunction with the performance of the pressure test prescribed in this
section.
I believe that although all liquefied petroleum gas does cause corrosion stress cracking,
some shipments of liquefied petroleum gas may cause corrosion stress cracking.
Subsequently, MC 330 and MC 331 cargo tanks constructed of other than quenched and
tempered steel but without postweld heat treatment that transport liquefied petroleum gas
are required to be internally inspected by the wet fluorescent magnetic particle method
immediately prior to and in conjunction with the performance of the pressure test
prescribed in this section.
I look forward to receiving a written interpretation regarding this matter as soon as
possible, as test and inspection facilities and cargo tank motor carriers are not handling
this matter in the same method and clarification of this requirement of the regulations is
necessary to ensure compliance in all instances.
Sincerely,
Albert Calkin
Transportation Safety Consultant
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