{"operation":"document","citation":"11-0055","title":"Railroad Commission of Texas — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2011-09-13","effective_on":null,"summary":"11-0055 response to Railroad Commission of Texas concerning 178.337, 180.413.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0055.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0055.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0055","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2011/110055.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nS~p 1 3 2011\n1200 New Jersey Ave\" S.E.\nWashington, DC 20590\nMr. James Osterhaus\nRailroad Commission of Texas\n1701 N. Congress\nAustin, TX 78711\nRef. No.: 11-0055\nDear Mr. Osterhaus:\nThis responds to your March 3, 2011 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to M C 331 cargo tanks. Specifically,\nyou ask if the HMR permit the use of an excess flow valve and a manual shutoff valve instead\nof an internal self-closing stop valve for MC 331 tanks with vapor or liquid discharge\nopenings greater than 1 '14 NPT, but have been modified using a bushing to reduce the\nopening to less than 1 '14 NPT.\nUnder the HMR, an internal self-closing stop valve is not required for an MC 331 tank if the\nvapor or liquid discharge opening is less than 1 '14 NPT (National Pipe Thread) and is\nequipped with an excess flow valve together with a manually operated external stop valve\n(§ 178.337-8(a)(5)(i». However, a change to the size ofthe opening on an MC 331 cargo\ntank is considered a modification to the cargo tank and must satisfy all ofthe requirements of\nthe HMR that apply to cargo tank modification. Accordingly, the modification must be\nperformed by a repair facility holding a valld National Board Certificate of Authorization for\nuse of the National Board \"R\" stamp (§ 180.413(a)(I», and the design ofthe modified cargo\ntank motor vehicle must be certified in writing by a Design Certifying Engineer as meeting\nthe structural integrity and accident damage protection requirements of the applicable\nspecification (§ 180.413( d)(1 ». Also, the person performing the modification must be\nregistered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in accordance with Part 107,\nSubpart F (§ 180.413(a)(3».\nI trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nBen Supko\nActing Chief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nDrakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) 1/-0055\nSent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 12:26 PM\nTo: Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nSubject: FW: Hazmat Information Center Feedback: Highway (Sections 177.800 &ndash; 177.870)\nHi Carolyn,\nMr. Osterhaus requested the below e-mail be submitted as a formal letter of interpretation.\nHe previously spoke with Chris Ludwa in the Info Center.\nThanks,\nVictoria\nVictoria Lehman\nHazmat Information Center (HMIC)\nPipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE,\nE21-119 Washington, D.C. 20590\nhttp://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/info-center\n(202) 366-1035\n-----Original Message----From:\nPHMSA-Feedback [mailto:PHMSA-Feedback]\nSent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 3:05 PM\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter; PHMSA Webmaster\nSubject: Hazmat Information Center Feedback: Highway (Sections 177.800 &ndashj 177.870)\nSecion 178.337-8(a)(5)(i)allows the use of an excess flow valve and a manual shutoff valve\ninstead of an internal self-closing stop valve for MC 331 container openings of less than\n11/4 inch. If an MC331 container is manufactured with a 11/4 inch or larger opening and a\nbushing is installed in the opening to reduce the opening to a size less than 11/4 inch, is\nit acceptable to install an excess flow valve and a manual shutoff valve instead of an\ninternal self-closing stop valve?\nName: James Osterhaus\nOrganization: Railroad Commission of Texas\nEmail: james.osterhaus@rrc.state.tx.us\nAddress: 1701 N. Congress\nCity: Austin\nZip Code: 78711\nPhone: 512-463-6692\nFAX: 512-463-0649\n1","truncated":false,"body_characters":3601}