{"operation":"document","citation":"15-0099","title":"Girard Equipment, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2015-12-15","effective_on":null,"summary":"15-0099 response to Girard Equipment, Inc. concerning 178.345.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0099.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0099.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0099","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2015/150099.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nipeline and Hazardou\nAdministration\naterials Safet\nDEC 1 5 2015\nMr. Glen Harm\nEngineering Manager\nGirard Equipment, Inc.\n4360 Old Dixie Highway\nVero Beach, FL 32967\nReference No. 15-0099\nDear Mr. Harm:\nThis 1s in response to your May 8, 2015 e-mail and letter, and October 23, 2015 telephone\nconversation with a member of my stati requesting claritication of the Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the marking of pressure relief\ndevices (PRDs) for Department of Transportation (DOT) Specification 407 cargo tanks.\nYou state your company uses the following marks to identify the four PRD models it\nmanufactures for DOT Specification 407 cargo tanks:\n• DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP 25,\n• DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP 30,\n• DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP 35, and\n• DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP SP (special setting).\nYou ask if the model numbers your company marks on the PRDs it manufactures comply with\nthe marking requirements for these devices as prescribed in § 178.345-10(h).\nThe answer is yes. The HMR do not define the wording \"model number\" nor specify what\ninformation a model number must contain. Therefore, it is the opinion of this Office that a\nmodel number for a PRD must be sufficiently distinct for a company to distinguish one of its\nPRD models from another. It is also the opinion of this Office that the model numbers you\nprovided meet this criterion.\nI hope this satisfies your request.\nSincerely,\nTAlerin\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nEdmonson\n178.345,10\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nMarkins of fressure Delief\nFrom:\nBetts, Charles (PHMSA)\n15-0099\nSent:\nTo:\nWednesday, May 20, 2015 12:12 PM\nSubject:\nHazmat Interps\nFW: Request for Interpretation\nAttachments:\nFMCSA DATAQ.pdf; PUC reply to Grammer.pdf; Letter to PHMSA for Clarification of\n49CFR178.345-10(h).pdf\nfyi\nFrom: Glen Harm [mailto:GHarm@girardequip.com]\nTo: Betts, Charles (PHMSA)\nSent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 12:11 PM\nSubject: RE: Request for Interpretation\nMr. Betts,\nAttached is a letter stating Girard Equipment's response to a letter filed by Mr. Shelton.\nMr. Shelton had previously requested a Letter of Interpretation for Marking of Pressure Relief Vents.\nAt your convenience, and when you have had time to review the attachments, I would appreciate an opportunity to\ndiscuss this situation via the telephone. There is just so much that can be written in a letter versus a 5 minute phone call\ncan thoroughly explain the details behind the letter.\nRegards,\nGlen Harm\nEngineering Manager\nGirard Equipment Inc\n4360 Old Dixie Hwy\nVero Beach, FL 32967\nPhone: 908-862-6300 x2044\nCell: 772.626 5625\nSent: Friday, May 08, 2015 11:26 AM\nFrom: charles.betts@dot.gov [mailto: charles.betts@dot.gov]\nTo: shelton10104@gmail.com\nbmccown@mccownpc.com\nCc: tom.forbes@puc.state.oh.us; shorty@grammerindustries.com; Glen Harm; arthur.fleener@dot.gov;\nSubject: RE: Request for Interpretation\nGot it.\nThanks\nFrom: Danny Shelton\nSent: Friday, May 08, 2015 10:47 AM\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nTo: Betts, Charles (PHMSA)\nSubject: Request for Interpretation\nCc: 'Forbes, William'; shorty@grammerindustries.com; 'Glen Harm'; Fleener, Arthur (FMCSA); 'Brigham A. McCown'\nMr. Betts, sorry for the confusion, attached are the supporting documents that were used for this\ninterpretation request.\nRegards\nThe information in this email is confidential and may be legally privileged.\nIf you are not the intended recipient, you must not read, use or disseminate the\ninformation. Although this e-mail and any attachments are believed to be free\nof any virus or other defect that might affect\nany computer system\ninto which\nit is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure\nthat it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Girard Equipment\nInc, for any loss or damage rising in any way\nfrom\nits use.\n2\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nGIRARD\nEQUIPMENT USA\nSpecialist For The Tank Transportation Industry Since 1952\nMr. Charles Betts\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nEast Building, 2nd Floor, Mail Stop E21-317\n1200 New Jersey Ave. SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Mr. Betts,\nGirard Equipment has received a request for interpretation of the Marking Requirements\nof Pressure Relief Devices in 49CFR 178.345-10(h) that was filed by Mr. Daniel Shelton of\nHazmat Resources Inc. This is in reference to a citation Vickery Transportation obtained\nduring a roadside inspection conducted by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, PUCO.\nGirard Equipment has designed and manufactured DOT 407 Pressure Relief Devices for\nCargo Tanks since the 1990's. We feel a status quo has been established within the Cargo\nTank Pressure Relief Vent industry, whereby the United States Cargo Tank Industry knows\nthe Girard model \"DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent.\" During the last 25 years, there have not\nbeen any citations for improper marking. We kindly ask that your office expeditiously\nmake a ruling on the matter of marking pressure relief vents.\nTitle 49 CFR 178.345-10(h) specifies: Each pressure relief device must be permanently\nrelief device model must be successfully flow capacity certification tested prior to first\nuse. Devices having one design, size and set pressure are considered to be one model.\"\nGirard Equipment Inc. has prepared an Engineering Technical Bulletin that illustrates how\nthe required information is clearly and permanently marked on all of our DOT 407\n\"DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP 25.\" We make 4 models:\nPressure Relief Vents. In our Technical Bulletin, please note that the model number is\n1. DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP 25\n2. DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP 30\n3. DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP 35\nWe are at a loss as to the confusion Mr. Shelton believes exists. Although we do not\n4. DOT 407 Pressure Relief Vent for MAWP SP (the SP signifies special setting)\n4360 Old Dixie Hwy • Vero Beach, FL 32967 • (800) 526-4330\nFlorida • Illinois • New Jersey • Texas • China • Netherlands • UK\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nGIRARD\nEQUIPMENT USA\nSpecialist For The Tank Transportation Industry Since 1952\nspecifically use the words \"model number\" on our rating disc, the cargo tank industry has\nalways recognized this as our model number. Mr. Shelton did not contact any technical\nperson at Girard Equipment, as his letter indicated, requesting Girard to identify the model\nnumber on the pressure vent cited in Ohio. In fact, the pressure vent section of the Girard\nwebsite simply states that there are 4 different model numbers offered.\nMr. Shelton also states that the competent authority would need to identify the \"connection,\" i.e.\nthread or flange. The mounting arrangement of the vent does not affect the flow rate. The\nregulation does not stipulate the connection type, only the size. Girard Equipment interprets the\nsize to mean the inlet bore size of the pressure relief vent. In reality, the inlet bore size is what\naffects the flow rate and that flow rate is permanently stamped on the pressure vent. Whether\nthe vent has Teflon coating or a Kalrez O-ring is also irrelevant to the inspection process. This\nis why the regulation was written with the word \"model\" instead of \"part.\" I have discussed this\nissue with Mr. Shelton numerous times, yet he remains confused with this situation. All tank\nbuilders and motor carriers understand and use the Girard model number system without\nreservation.\nThe Director of Safety and Training for Grammer Industries, Inc., Mr. George Gerth, and\nVickery Transportation, its subsidiary, have requested to have this citation removed via\nOhio Public Utilities Commission. However, PUCO has stated that they will need an\ninterpretation by PHMSA. Girard is requesting an expeditious interpretation from your\ndepartment to clear the impeccable safety record at Vickery Transportation. Please see\nattachments.\nGirard Equipment has a long track record of working with regulators at PHMSA and\nadmires the work that is done by them to keep our nation safe. We have great respect for\nthe process of rulemaking and truly appreciate the even-handed approach to hearing all\nstakeholders when writing regulations. If PHMSA truly wanted a part number to be\nthe regulation.\nmarked on a valve, then we would certainly comply. However, that is not what is stated in\nGlen Harm\nsen\nHarm\nEngineering Manager\nGirard Equipment, Inc.\n4360 Old Dixie Hwy.\nVero Beach, FL 32967\nwww.girardequip.com\n4360 Old Dixie Hwy • Vero Beach, FL 32967 • (800) 526-4330\nFlorida • Illinois • New Jersey • Texas • China • Netherlands • UK\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nDRIVERIVEHICLE EXAMINATION REPORT\nReport Number:\nOH3207302165\nOhio\nInspection Date:\nTime Started:\n16:08\n4/30/2015 Certification Date:\nInspection Level: II- Walk-Around\nTime Ended: 16:38\nHM Inspection Type:\nBulk Inspection\nVICKERY TRANSPORTATION INC\n3956 STATE ROUTE 412\nLicense #:\nDriver:\nSCHEUFLER, CHRISTOPHERA\nVICKERY, OH 43464\nDate of Birth:\n5/30/1963\nRJ526622\nState: OH\nUSDOT#: 00978059\nMC/MX #: 416055\nPhone #:\nFax#:\n(812)378-3364\nState #:\nLocation:\nROADSIDE\nHighway:\nUS 33\nMilePost:\n4\nCounty:\nHOCKING\nDestination:\nOrigin:\nVICKERY, OH\nBRISTOL, VA\nBill of Lading: 006460446FLE\nShipper:\nAZZ GALVANIZING BRISTOL\nCargo: HAZ MAT & GENERAL FREIGHT\nVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION:\nUnit Type Make Year State\n2 ST CMPT 2014 IN\n1 TT\nPBT\n2015 IN.\nLicense#\n1161628\nEquipment ID\nZ33600\n613V\n214\nUnit VIN\nGVWR\nCVSA#\n1XPBD49X5FD256140\nCVSA Issued #\nOOS Stkr.#\n2C9LTA2B4EB075664\n55,000\n52,000\nBRAKE ADJUSTMENTS:\nNo brake measurements recorded.\nVIOLATIONS:\n178.345-10\nVio Code\n178.345-10\nSection\nUnit OOs\nState Citation\n2\nN\nNumber\nVerify* Crash Violation Description\nN\nN\nDO7406/407412 Pressure Relief- Girrard PRD not marked with\n* N- Non-OOS or Driver OOS Violation\nmodel number as required. by 178.345-10(h)\nHazMat:\n8 Corrosive Material,\nPlacard:\nYes\nCargo Tank:\n412\nSpecial Checks:\nAlcohol/Controlled Substance Check\nSize and Weight Enforcement\nConducted by Local Jurisdiction\nTraffic Enforcement\nDrug Interdiction Search\nPASA Conducted Inspection\nPBBT Inspection\n7 Post Crash Inspection\n]EScreening\nArrests:\nspection Notes: USSP - 1 HM Placarded vehicle. it was a Comptank operating under a SP from PHMSA. Driver had SP with Him, Driver using E\ncopy of regulation and inspection.\nd everything in order. DOT 412 vehicle with Girrard Pressure Relief Device (PRD) it was not marked with the Model number as required. Driver giv\nSpecial Study Fields:\nSpecial Studyt:\nSpecial Studyz:\nSpecial Study6:\nSpecial Study3:\nSpecial Study7:\nSpecial Studys:\nSpecial Study4:\nSpecial Studys:\nSpecial Study5:\nSpecial Study 10:\nLocally Defined Fields:\nWeight A: 1 TT;RQ (A): Y;HW (A): Y; For-Hire Carrier: Y; Driver Address: 2668 CR 290;Driver City: VICKERY; Driver State: OH; Driver Zip:\nPlacards Displayed (Y/N): Y;Loaded by Carrier (Y/N): Y;Ship Doc Prep by Shipper(Y/N): Y; Haz Class A: 8;ID # A: UN1789; Packing Group A: II;Gross\nSafety Permit Verified (YIN): N\n43464; Photos Taken (Y/N): Y; Reason Code: USSP; FMCSA Credentials Verified-Y/N: N;CDL Verified (YIN): Y; FMCSA OOS Order Issued(Y/N): U;HN\nWT Forbes\nReport Prepared By:\n3207\nBadge #\nCopy Received By:\nSCHEUFLER, CHRISTOPHER A\nPage 1 of 2\n0H3207302165\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\nDRIVERIVEHICLE EXAMINATION REPORT\nReport Number:\nOH3207302165\nOhio\nTime Started:\nInspection Date:\n4/30/2015 Certification Date:\nInspection Level: 1II- Walk-Around\n16:08\nTime Ended: 16:38\nHM Inspection Type: Bulk Inspection\nVICKERY TRANSPORTATION INC\n3956 STATE ROUTE 412\nDriver:\nSCHEUFLER, CHRISTOPHER A\nVICKERY, OH 43464\nLicense #:\nRJ526622\nState: OH\nUSDOT #: 00978059\nDate of Birth:\n5/30/1963\nMC/MX #: 416055\nPhone #:\nFax #:\n(812)378-3364\nState #:\nAll violations of the FHMR and FMCSR or Title 49 of the Ohio Revised Code will be reviewed by the PUCO's Transportation Department to determine\ni civil forfeitures are assessed, you will receive a separate notice by mail. These penalties may be assessed to motor carriers, shippers, and/or drivers\nhetner civil forfeitures should be assessed against any responsible parties in accordance with the penalty provisions of Title 49 of the Ohio Revised Code\nTENTION DRIVER: This report must be sent to the motor carrier whose name appears at the top of this inspection report within 24 hours. If ti\nspection report cannot be delivered within 24 hours the driver must mail or fax the inspection report to the motor carri\na total of $10,000. If you have any questions, please contact (614) 466-0429.\nMOTOR CARRIER CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETED REPAIRS: The undersigned certifies that all violations noted on this report have been corrected\nand action taken to assure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety & Hazardous Materials Regulations insofar as they are applicable to motor\ncarriers and drivers. A false certification of repairs is required to be prosecuted with penalties up to $10,000.\nSignature of Carrier Official:\nTitle:\nDate:\nFailure to return this report with the required certification can result in penalties up to $1,000 per day for each day the violation continues, up to a total of\n$10,000.\nSignature of Repairer:\nX\nFacility:\nDate:\nWT Forbes\nReport Prepared By:\n3207\nBadge #:\nCopy Received By:\nSCHEUFLER, CHRISTOPHER A\nPage 2 of 2\n0H3207302165\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\nU.S. Depariment of Transportation\nCONTACT US | FMCSA.GOV | FMCSA PORTAL | DOT.GOV\nFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration\nDataQs\nSearch All FMCSA Sites\nDataQs\nHome!\nHelp Center\nHelp Center\nMyDataOs:\nInstructions, FAQs and other\nDetailed view of ID # 1320712\nthis website\nmaterials to help you navigate\n1) CREATE PDF\nDate Entered:\n5/8/2015\nType:\nInspection - Incorrect Information\nUser Guide & Manual -\nStatus:\nClosed - No Data Correction Made Assigned to Agency:\nOH PUC\npractical:\nFedera\nL Requestor Profile\nName:\nCarrier)\nGeorge Gerth (Validated Motor\nU.S. DOT #:\n9780597.\nEmail Address:\ngeorge@grammerindustries.com\nCompany/Agency Name:\nVickery Transportation, Inc.\nPhone:\n812-378-3364\nAddress:\n5280 North Warren Dr.\nFax Number:\n812-378-3365\nCity/State/Zip:\nColumbus, IN 47203\nID Detailed Information from Inspection Record\nReport State:*\nOhio\nReport Number: *\n3207302165\nDate (MM/DD/YYYY):*\n4/30/2015\nTime (HH:MM AM/PM):\n1608\nCity/Location:\nVICKERY\nCounty:\nHOCKING\nReporting Officer ID:\n3207\nLey Carrier Information from inspection Record\nCarrier Name: *\nVICKERY TRANSPORTATION INC U.S.DOT#:\n978059 \"\nAddress (Line 1):\n3956 STATE ROUTE 412\nMC/MX#:\nAddress (Line 2):\nState:\nOhio\nCountry:\nUnited States\nCity:\nVICKERY\nZip:\n43464\nL Driver Information from inspection Record I 111\nDriver Name:\n. Scheufler, Christopher A\nE Explanation of Request for Data Review 1 4 1 • 0/\nWhere did you view the information you want reviewed?:\nExplanation:\nInspection Report\nWith all due respect Vickery Transportation requests that violation 178.345-10(h) be removed from our FMCSA profile. We feel this\nwith four items and the valve in question, Girard Model DOT-407, meets all four requirements, please see attachments. The vale is\nviolation was incorrectly accessed. The regulation, section 178.345-10(h), page 172 requires that a pressure relief valve be marked\nRated flow capacity, in SCH at the rating pressure, in psig: See attachments. Again Vickery Transportation feels the violation was\nmarked with (1) Manufactures' name: Girard Equipment Inc. (2) Model Number: DOT-407, (3) Set pressure, in psig: 30 PSIG, (4)\nAttachments: Copy of Inspection DOT Inspection with pictures of valve, CFR-2011-title49-vol3-sec178-345-10, Girard DOT-407\nunfairly accessed and requests the violation be removed from our FMCSA profile. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.\nValve, Markings of Pressure Rellef Valve, Girard DOT407-Pressure Relief Vent.\n@ Supporting Documents ...\nThe following files have been uploaded for submission\nDaloaded Document Name\n•Content Size\n5/12/2015\n3207302165.pdf\n3207302165\napplication/odf 71422\nType W\n(bytes):\n\n<<<PAGE 9>>>\n\n5/8/2015\nValve.pdf\nGirard DOT-407 Valve Markings of Pressure Relief\nGirard Valve\napplication/pdf\n190983\n5/8/2015\nCFR-2011-ttle49-vol3-sec178-345-10.pdf\n178.345-10\n5/8/2015\nDOT Inspection with picture of valve.odf\n(h)\napplication/pdf\n158738\nInspection\napplication/pdf\n2950771\nResponse List\nForward e\nAdd Rosponse/ Documentation E\nEntered By Ronald Swegheimer (OH PUC)\nResponse Date 5/13/2015\nStatus Prior to Response Open - In Raview\nStatus Changed to Closed - No Data Correction Made\nPhone Number 7405844388\n(PHMSA) for determination if the valve markings meets the regulatory requirements. If PHMSA determines the valve markings meet the\nWe do not believe the valve markings meet the requirement. A request for interpretation has been submitted to the Competent Authority\nrequirements we will delete the violation from the inspection report.\nEntered By Kelly Selzer (OH PUC)\nResponse Date 5/12/2015\nStatus Changed to Open - In Review\nPhone Number 6144660429\nfor resclution\nStatus Prior to Response Forwarded to another office\n• Inspection report uploaded. Under review by PUCO Enforcement.\n3207302165 (3207302165.pdf) has been uploaded\nResponse Date 5/11/2015\nPhone Number 6147524882\nEntered By James Feddern (OH SP)\nresolution\nStatus Changed to Forwarded to another office for\nStatus Prior to Response Open - in Review\nForwarded to PUCO.\nFeedback | Privacy Policy | USA.gov | Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) | Accessibility | OG Hotline | Web Policies and Important Links | Site Map | Plug-ins\n00 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 • 1-800-832-5660 • TTY: 1-800-877-8339 • Field Office Conta\nederal Motor Carrier Safety Administrati\n\n<<<PAGE 10>>>\n\nDARCARS Automotive Group | New Volvo, Scion, Nissan, Lexus, Kia, Dodge, Chrysler.. Page 1 of 1\nDARCARS Automotive Group\n12511 Prosperity Dr. Silver Spring, MD 20904\nMemorial Day 2015\nGET MEMORIAL DAY SAVINGS\nWORTH SALUTING,\nTO CLAIM YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE\n1. PRINT THIS PAGE OR SAVE TO\nYOUR MOBILE DEVICE\n2. COMETOANY DARCARS LOCATION\n3. 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