# The Dow Chemical Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **operation:** document - **citation:** 16-0063 - **title:** The Dow Chemical Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **source type:** guidance - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** guidance - **official:** true - **published on:** 2016-08-02 - **effective on:** Not available - **summary:** 16-0063 response to The Dow Chemical Company concerning 178.274, 180.605. - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0063.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0063.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0063 - **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2016/160063.pdf **body:** <<>> of Transportation U.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Pipeline and Hazardous Washington, D.C. 20590 Administration Materials Safety AUG 0 2 2016 Mr. John Heater Transportation Safety and Security Specialist The Dow Chemical Company 100 Independence Mall West Philadelphia, PA 19106 Reference No. 16-0063 Dear Mr. Heater: This letter is in response to your April 7, 2016, email requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to requirements for the periodic testing, inspection, and repair of portable tanks. Specifically, you ask whether a United Nations (UN) portable tank may be tested with an inert gas, such as . nitrogen, for the leakage test prescribed in § 180.605(h). The answer is yes. For the purposes of design and construction of UN portable tanks under subpart H of part 178 of the HMR, the definition of leakage test in § 178.274(a)(3) means a test using gas to subject the shell and its service equipment to an internal pressure. Thus, an inert gas, such as nitrogen, may be used as a test medium for tests conducted as required by § 180.605(h). I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, T. Glenn Foster Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> Stevens 178.274 Goodali, Shante CTR (PHMSA) specifecation tor Un Potae Tak From: 110 - 0062 Sent: Geller, Shelby CTR (PHMSA) To: Hazmat Interps Friday, April 08, 2016 9:22 AM Subject: FW: Interpretation Letter Request - Dow Chemical Attachments: Dow Interpretation Letter Request.pdf Dear Shante and Alice, Forwarded is a request for a formal letter of interpretation. Thanks, Shelby From: Heater, John L (J) [mailto:jheater@dow.com] To: PHMSA HM InfoCenter Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2016 3:44 PM Cc: Casillas, Victor (PHMSA) Subject: Interpretation Letter Request - Dow Chemical The Dow Chemical Company respectfully submits the attached request for an interpretation letter. Your prompt processing is necessary and would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me with any questions or need for additional information. Sincerely, John Heater Transportation Safety and Security Specialist The Dow Chemical Company 100 Independence Mall West Philadelphia, PA 19106 Phone: (215) 592-3157 Email: iheater@dow.com <<>> The Dow Chemical Company Midland, MI 48674 U.S.A. April 7, 2016 Via Email U.S. DOT PHMSA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards Attn: PHH-10 East Building 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. Washington, DC 20590-0001 phmsa.hm-infocenter@doi.gov Subject: Interpretation Letter Request The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") respectfully submits this request for an interpretation letter. • Dow's request is with regard to the intermediate 2.5 year periodic leakage test on UN portable tanks, specifically the required test medium in the Hazardous Materials Regulations ("HMR"). In reviewing both the HMR and International Maritime Dangerous Goods ("IMDG") Code, it appears that 'a gas' is the required test medium. For example, if the hazardous material offered for transportation in a UN portable tank is water-reactive and oxygen-reactive, nitrogen would be the preferred test medium, as there would be significant risk in using air; residual air or contaminants could initiate a dangerous reaction or adversely affect product quality when the hazardous material would again be introduced into the UN portable tank. Can you please validate that nitrogen, as a gas, is an authorized test medium for the intermediate 2.5 year periodic leakage test on UN portable tanks under the HMR? Included below are both the applicable HMR and IMDG Code regulations for your reference: HMR §178.274 Specifications for UN portable tanks. (a) General. *** (3) Definitions. The following definitions apply for the purposes of design and construction of UN portable tanks under this subpart: internal pressure. Leakage test means a test using gas to subject the shell and its service equipment to an §180.605 Requirements for periodic testing, inspection and repair of portable tanks. 2.5 year periodic inspection and test must include at least an internal and external (d) Intermediate periodic inspection and test. For IM and UN portable tanks the intermediate <<>> The Dow Chemical Company Midland, Mi 48674 U.S.A. examination of the portable tank and its fittings taking into account the hazardous materials intended to be transported; a leakage test; and a test of the satisfactory operation of all service equipment. Sheathing, thermal insulation, etc. need only be removed to the extent required for reliable appraisal of the condition of the portable tank. For portable tanks intended for the transportation of a single hazardous material, the internal examination may be waived if it is leakage tested in accordance with the procedures in paragraph (h) of this section prior to each filling, or if approved by the Associate Administrator. Portable tanks used for dedicated transportation of refrigerated liquefied gases that are not fitted with inspection openings are excepted from the internal inspection requirement. *** (h) Pressure test procedures for specification 51, 56, 57, 60, IM or UN portable tanks. (1) Each Specification 57 portable tank must be leak tested by a minimum sustained air pressure of at least 3 psig applied to the entire tank. Each Specification 51 or 56 portable tank must be tested by a minimum pressure (air or hydrostatic) of at least 2 psig or at least one and one- half times the design pressure (maximum allowable working pressure, or re-rated pressure) of the tank, whichever is greater. The leakage test for portable tanks used for refrigerated liquefied gas must be performed at 90% of MAWP. Leakage tests for all other portable tanks must be at a pressure of at least 25% of MAWP. During each air pressure test, the entire surfáce of all joints under pressure must be coated with or immersed in a solution of soap and water, heavy oil, or other material suitable for the purpose of detecting leaks. The pressure must be held for a period of time sufficiently long to assure detection of leaks, but in no case less than five minutes. During the air or hydrostatic test, relief devices may be removed, but all the closure fittings must be in place and the relief device openings plugged. Lagging need not be removed from a lagged tank if it is possible to maintain the required test pressure at constant temperature with the tank disconnected from the source of pressure. IMDG Code 6.7.2 Provisions for the design, construction, inspection and testing of portable tanks intended for the transport of substances of class 1 and classes 3 to 9 6.7.2.1 Definitions *** For the purposes of this section: Leakproofness test means a test using a gas, subjecting the shell and its MAWP; service equipment to an effective internal pressure of not less than 25% of the *** 6.7.2.19.5 The intermediate 2.5-year periodic inspection and test shall at least include an internal and external examination of the portable tank and its fittings with due <<>> The Dow Chemical Company Midland, MI 48674 USA regard to the substances intended to be transported, a leakproofness test and a test of the satisfactory operation of all service equipment.*** I trust this is sufficient information for issuance of a letter of interpretation. If additional information is needed, please contact me. Sincerely, John Heater John Heater Transportation Safety and Security Specialist The Dow Chemical Company 100 Independence Mall West Philadelphia, PA 19106 Phone: (215) 592-3157 E-mail: jheater@dow.com - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 7683