{"operation":"document","citation":"13-0207","title":"Thompson Tank, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2014-02-18","effective_on":null,"summary":"13-0207 response to Thompson Tank, Inc. concerning 178.347, 178.348.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-13-0207.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-13-0207.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-13-0207","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2013/130207.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nFEB 1 8 2014\nMr. David L. Thompson\nThompson Tank, Inc.\nP.O. Box 790\nLakewood, CA 90714-0790\nRefNo.: 13-0207\nDear Mr. Thompson:\nThis is a response to your October 24, 2013 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) with regard to the manufacture ofDOT\nspecification cargo tanks. Specifically, you question whether it is permissible to manufacture\na DOT 407, DOT 412, or dual specification DOT 407/412 cargo tank for vacuum loading\nwithout being constructed and certified in accordance with the Section VIII of the ASME\nCode for an external design pressure of at least 15 psig.\nIn accordance with the general design and construction requirements applicable to cargo\ntanks, in§ 178.345-1(±), each DOT 412 cargo tank with a MAWP greater than 15 psig, and\neach DOT 407 cargo tank with a MA WP greater than 35 psig must be constructed and\ncertified in conformance with Section VIII of the ASME Code, except as limited or modified\nby the applicable cargo tank specification.\nSpecification DOT 412 cargo tanks designed to be loaded by vacuum must have a minimum\nexternal MAWP of 15 psig in accordance with§ 178.348-1(c). Any DOT 412 cargo tank\nwith a MA WP greater than 15 psig must be designed, constructed and certified in\nconformance with Section VIII ofthe ASME Code per§ 178.348-1(e)(l). Unless a DOT 412\ncargo tank was manufactured with a MA WP of exactly 15 psig (the minimum MA WP for\nvacuum load capable DOT 412 cargo tanks), it would also be required to be constructed and ·\ncertified in accordance with Section VIII of the ASME Code.\nSpecification DOT 407 cargo tanks designed to be loaded by vacuum must have a minimum\nexternal design pressure of 15 psig and must be designed, constructed and certified in\naccordance with Section VIII ofthe ASME Code, in accordance with§ 178.347-1(c).\nTherefore, a DOT 407 cargo tank designed for vacuum loading would not be permitted to be\nmanufactured without being constructed and certified in accordance with Section VIII of the\nASMECode.\nA cargo tank built to a dual specification DOT 407/412, designed to be loaded by vacuum,\nmust conform to both of the applicable specifications. Therefore since all DOT 407 cargo\ntanks designed for vacuum loading must be constructed and certified in accordance with\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nSection VIII of the ASME Code and have a minimum external design pressure of 15 psig, the\nmanufacture of this multi-specification cargo tank would not be permitted without fulfilling\nthese requirements.\nI hope this information is helpful. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to\ncontact this office.\nSincerely,\nfkl3~\nRobert Benedict\nChief, Standards Development\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nTHOMPSON TANK, INC. ASME- D.O.T CERTIFICATION\nD.O.T. INSPECTION- TESTING\nDESIGN ENGINEERING • CONSTRUCTION\nTHOlVIPSON VACUUlVI-PRESSURE UNITS\nOctober 24, 2013\nU.S. DOT\nPHMSA Office of Hazardous Material\nStandards\nAttn: PHH-10\nEast building\n1200 New Jersey Ave., SE.\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nGentlemen,\nIs it permissible to manufacture a DOT -407 or a DOT -412, or a Dual\nSpecification DOT -407 /DOT -412 Cargo Tank for vacuum loading without\nbeing constructed and certified in accordance with the ASME Code for an\nexternal design pressure of at least 1Spsi?\nReference: 178.347-1 ©\n178.348-1 ©\n180.405 (f) (1) (i)\n,'J\nSincerely,\nDavid L. Thompson\nTfiomyson Tank, Inc.\nSHIPPING: 8029 PHLOX STREET, DOWNEY, CA 90241\nMAILING: POST OFFICE BOX 790, LAKEWOOD, CA 90714-0790\nPHONE: (562) 869-7711 • FAX: (562) 869-7214 • OUT OF STATE: (800) 421-7545","truncated":false,"body_characters":3741}