{"operation":"document","citation":"08-0215","title":"Flash DOT Compliance Services — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2009-02-13","effective_on":null,"summary":"08-0215 response to Flash DOT Compliance Services concerning 173.315.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0215.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0215.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0215","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080215.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\nMr. Jaime Herrera\nPresident\nFlash DOT Compliance Services\n1 1501 Cedar Oak Avenue\nEl Paso, TX 79936\n1200 New Jersey Ave., SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nFEB 1 3 2009\nRef. No. 08-02 1 5\nDear Mr. Herrera:\nThis responds to your August 18,2008 letter regarding the applicability of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HNIR; 49 CFR Parts 171-1 80) to cargo tank motor vehicles (CTMVs) in\nother than metered delivery service. Specifically, you ask if the emergency discharge control\nrequirement in 5 173.3 15(n)(2) applies to a CTMV that is loaded and unloaded using facility\nhoses equipped with \"Smart Hose\" technology. We apologize for the delay in responding and\nregret any inconvenience you may have encountered.\nAccording to your letter, your company only loads liquid propane gas at \"Smart Hose\"\ntechnology-equipped refineries in the United States and never unloads until the shipment arrives\nin Mexico at storage depots equipped with the same \"Smart Hose\" technology. Additionally, the\ncargo tank is loaded and unloaded by trained plant personnel.\nThe answer to your question is yes. In accordance with 5 178.337-1 1(a), an MC 33 1 CTMV\nmust be equipped with emergency discharge control equipment as specified by product and\nservice in fj 173.3 15(n). Paragraph (n)(2) of 5 173.3 15 specifies that a CTMV used to transport\nDivision 2.1 materials, such as propane, in other than metered delivery service must be equipped\nwith a means to automatically shut off the flow of product without the need for human\nintervention within 20 seconds of an unintentional release caused by a complete separation of a\nliquid delivery hose (passive shut-down capability). Emergency discharge control equipment\nmeeting these requirements must be installed on the CTMV even if a facility-provided hose is\nused for all loading and unloading operations.\nI trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\no at tie L. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n~ W D M S U n\nFLAS H +17i;:,;\nDOT S e r v i c e s o g - o ~\nUS DOT C2rrler CimplXance\n1 1 501 Cedar Oak Ave, El Paso, Texas 79936 Phone Tel (91 5) 590-1 400 Fax (91 5)629-9085\nAugust 18, 2008\nMr. Edward T. Mazz~llo\nUS DOT / PHMSA (PHH-10)\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor\nWashington, DC 20590\nPhone (800) 467-4922\nDear Mr. Mazullo:\nPlease let us know your interpretation of the following regulation and your advice in\nreference to the particular circumstances of our operation:\nI Section: 173.31 5(n)(2) I Date: 08/15/2008 I SourceLRef: No:\nQ. Concerning the requirement of automatic shut off devices for MC-331 tanks in other than\nmetered service, does the requirement apply to a trucking operation which only loads Liquid\nPropane Gas at Smart hose technology equipped refineries in the USA and never unloads until it\narrives in Mexico to storage depots equipped with the same Smart Hose Technology?\nAdditional background information:\nMC-331 tanks never get loaded or unloaded by the driver. Tanks are only loaded in the USA at\nSmart Hose equipped refineries with trained personnel and do not deliver anywhere or get\nhandled in the USA. The untouched loaded tanks cross into Mexico and then at a Smart Hose\nequipped storage depot they get unloaded by trained plant personnel. Neither the driver or\nanybody else but the refinery or plant gets involved in the loading or unloading process.\nIf we are required to purchase this technology, we will never use it because the refinery will use\ntheir systems and ours will be just stored.\nPlease feel free to contact me at the following phone number (915)590-1400.\nThank vou.\nJaime Herrera\nPresident / Flash DOT Services","truncated":false,"body_characters":3821}