# Virginia State Trooper — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 14-0133
- **title:** Virginia State Trooper — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2014-11-03
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 14-0133 response to Virginia State Trooper concerning 173.150.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0133.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0133.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0133
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2014/140133.pdf
**body:**

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of Transportation
U.S. Department
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Materials Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous
Administration
NOV 0 4 2014
Mr. Kevin J. Teter
Master Trooper, Virginia State Police
15139 State Police Rd.
Culpeper, VA 22701
Ref. No.: 14-0133
Dear Mr. Teter:
This is in response to your letter dated June 14, 2014, and attached magazine article,
requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-
180) regarding multi-compartment fuel tanks and their ability to utilize exceptions provided in
§ 173.150(f)(2). You present a scenario in which a trailer has been equipped with a
permanently mounted diesel fuel tank that contains various individual compartments each
having a 105 gallon capacity. The total amount of fuel contained within the tank varies
between 315 gallons and 945 gallons depending on the number of compartments. You note
that each of the individual compartments within the tank are not connected to each other in
any way. You ask if the tank represents a non-bulk package that would be eligible for
exceptions mentioned in § 173.150(f)(2).
The compartments mentioned in your letter would be considered non-bulk packages, and be
eligible for the exceptions provided for such packages in § 173.150(f)(2) because they are not
connected to each other. Each individual compartment is considered a package.
I trust this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact this office.
Sincerely,
Shoe chly
Shane C. Kelley
Acting International Standards Coordinator
Standards and Rulemaking Division

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Webb
173.150 (F)
DOT/RSPA/ OHMS
Combustäble Liquids
INIT
Mr. Magdy El-Sibaie, PhD
14-0133
14 JUN 27 PM 3: 30
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Material Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
East Building Second Floor (PH)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E...
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
Dear Mr. El-Sibaie:
I read an article In the March 2014 issue of Southern Loggin Times" about a diesel fuel transport trailer that has a permanently
mounted tank. There are nine total compartments in this one tank. Each compartment has a capacity of 105 gal. each and can
total anywhere from 315 gals total to 945 gallons depending on the number of compartments. The compartments are not
connected to each other. (See attached Article and Photo) The manufacture states that the tank is in compliance with 49-CFR
173.150(f) in that the tanks are not connected therefore it is a non-bulk package. (see attached)
Does this tank represent a non-bulk package that would being granted certain exemptions under 49 CFR 173.150(f)(2)?
Looking forward to your response.
Sincerely
Kevin f. Jeter
Kevin J. Teter, Master Trooper
Virginia State Police
15139 State Police Road
Culpeper VA 22701

<<<PAGE 3>>>

SOUTHERN STUMPIN'
By David Abbott • Associate Editor • Ph. 334-834-1170 • Fax: 334-834-4525 • E-mail: david@hattonbrown.com
Logger Innovation
'm a big movie guy. I enjoy watching movies, I
not legal to transport more than 119 gallons of
separate, unconnected containers. Obviously, this
fuel without a hazmat permit, unless the fuel is in
legal and will keep the DPS off our backs,"
DOT-approved trailers with lights, he said it's
could i'd love to make movies (you know, if I
keep up with movie industry news, and if I
had any discernable talent). Every year Hollywood
agricultural fields. Tired of getting pulled over
is a strain on those working in the forestry and
ardous material permit so long as it's not over
Sheppard says. "We won't have to have a haz-
ing in hundreds of millions of dollars, and some-
turns out blockbusters that make a big splash, rak-
cost so much to make that many of them barely
times in the billions, worldwide. Still, those movies
inspired. As a solution, he has developed his own
and threatened with fines, Sheppard became
1,000 gallons. That's a federal law, not jut Geor-
pending number and informed the DPS that he
gia." In October last year Sheppard got the patent
movies with smaller budgets, even though they
break even. They say that sometimes, the smaller
system just for his own use but soon realized it
fuel transport system. He started building the
wanted to know"
could start selling. "They said that's what they
gross a lot less, actually profit a lot more. It can
could be useful to others.
sometimes be the same way with loggers.
Year (and a feature article subject in Southern
Sheppard, a former Georgia Logger of the
instrumental in getting this off the ground. The
Sheppard says the DPS was very helpful and
Margins (page 28) and As We See It (page 32),
In this month's installments of both At The
and received patent pending (evidently it takes a
Loggin' Times in March 2011), has applied for
DPS spent hours one Friday measuring it and
er, said it was legal and to build them. His con-
when finished, one of the sergeants, Mike Hatch-
there are mentions of the oft-cited need for log-
gers to maximize efficiency. In a lot of ways, the
few years to get final approval for the full patent
companies featured in this issue have found cre-
number). He has partnered with Albany-based
tacts at the DPS put him in touch with Lewis M
potential and strengthening their businesses by
ative ways to do just that, improving profit
ufacture and market the innovation. They've
LMC-AG (Lewis M. Carter Agriculture) to man-
the manufacture it.
Carter, who was interested and soon agreed to
doing little things a little differently. These are
sented the diesel hauling trailer at farm shows in
already sold two units, both to farmers, and pre-
people who think outside the box.
begins on page 14, has developed a special flip-
South Carolina's Dennis Wall, whose story
available to the logging community. The first
the South in February. They're also making it
173.150 (F), which allows users to haul fuel over
The tanks are in compliance with 49-CFR
payload within the legal weight range. The Red-
bolster on lightweight trailers to let him haul more
ging of Jeffersonville, Ga.
logger to buy one was Charles Hill of Hill Log-
and hazmat endorsement. So class C drivers
119 gallons combined total without having CDL
required to legally haul this tank. Sheppard and
license and medical card are the only things
fern family of Tennessce (page 20) keeps debt and
overhead down. Georgia's Diamond G Forest
self before taking his plans to the Georgia Dept.
Sheppard built three prototype versions him-
tanks: a 315 (three tanks), 630 (six tanks) and
the manufacturer, LMC-AG, offer three sizes of
turpentine industry and saw opportunity.
Products (page 26) looked at a dormant domestic
of Public Safety and Dept. of Transportation.
945-gallon (nine tanks). The design allows for up
Assn., Ken Sheppard of Vidalia, Ga. is another
Director of the Southeastern Wood Producers
According to Tommy Carroll, Executive
seal of approval.
They inspected the prototypes and gave it their
to nine separate tanks with capacity of up to 105
gallons each to connect to a single pump. A
support for the project, calling repeatedly to see
Members of the DPS were enthusiastic in their
one is emptied. They offer it as a tank ready to
quick coupler connects to each one as the last
ger who looked at a problem and found a way
example of just such an out-of-the-box type log-
when it would be ready. "As long as it is on
mount on trailer or as a whole unit with a trailer.
around it. As I'm sure many of you know, it is
fill a need in the logging and agricultural mar-
For its part, LMC-AG says it is "trying to ful-
ket." They offer the tanks either as individual
units or on running gears to allow towing. They
offer 20-25 gallon per minute pumps along with
the units.
channel (8 in. on the 630 and 945 gallon units, and
The running gears are made from mild steel
IMO
6 in. on the 315). They use heavy-duty Torflex
axles with eight lug hubs. Each trailer comes with
one axle with brakes and emergency brake box.
can order your trailer with any one of a variety of
Trailer lights come with a seven-way plug. You
ball hitch. The trailers come with highway rated,
hitches, such as drop pin, pintle eye, and a 2-% in.
range E, and include tread plate fender wells over
DOT-approved tires, size ST235/80R16 load
trailer for whatever you need (spare chain, etc.).
the tires. A basket is included on the front of each
DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) tanks are available;
DEF tanks, according to LMC-AG, will likely be
stricter emissions standards.
required for all diesel tanks in the next year due to
912-245-9180 or email kshepp@att.net or call
To find out more, contact Ken Sheppard at
Logger Ken Sheppard, inset, relies on LMC-AG to make and market his fuel system.
the LMC-AG office at 229-639-1775.
SLT
6 • MARCH 2014 • Southern Loggin' Times

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Diesel Fuel Trailer
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Trailer, 9 Chambers @ 105 Gallon Each (950 Gallons Total) :
Diesel Fuel Trailer, 9 Chambers @ 105 Gallon Each (950 Gallons Total) -- at Diesel Fuel
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