{"operation":"document","citation":"16-0090","title":"Texas Trailer Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2017-01-12","effective_on":null,"summary":"16-0090 response to Texas Trailer Corporation concerning 173.315, 173.33, 178.337, 180.407.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0090.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0090.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0090","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2017/160090.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nJAN 1 2 2016\nMr. Ray Williams\nTexas Trailer Corporation\n1310 Highway 82 West\nGainesville, TX 7 6240\nReference No. 16-0090\nDear Mr. Williams:\nThis letter is in response to your May 19, 2016, email and subsequent emails and phone calls\nrequesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)\napplicable to safety relief valves on cargo tanks. Specifically, you ask why the language in\n§ 173 .3 l 5(i)(3) was changed to omit cargo tanks and what setting requirements apply for the\nstart-to-discharge pressure on a safety relief valve for a cargo tank motor vehicle in compressed\ngas service.\nSection l 73.315(a) authorizes the use of DOT specification (MC 330 and MC 331) cargo tank\nmotor vehicles for certain compressed gases. Section 173 .315(i) further describes requirements\nfor pressure relief devices on \"tanks,\" applying to both cargo and portable tanks. On June 21,\n2001, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) predecessor-\nResearch and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)-published a final rule titled,\n\"Harmonization with the United Nations Recommendations, International Maritime Dangerous\nGoods Code, and International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions,\" in the\nFederal Register under Docket No. RSP A-2000-7702 (HM-215D). This final rule amended\n§ 173.315(i)(3) to add new requirements for United Nations (UN) portable tanks, which changed\nthe term \"tank\" to specify a \"portable tank, other than a UN portable tank,\" and omitted cargo\ntanks from the requirement.\nIn accordance with§ 173.33(d)(3), an MC 330 cargo tank may have pressure relief devices or\noutlets conforming to the applicable specification to which the tank was constructed, or the\npressure relief devices or outlets may be modified to meet the applicable requirement for the\nspecification MC 331. Pressure relief devices for MC 331 cargo tanks are specified in\n§ 178.337-9, which references§ 173.315(i). Section 180.407G)(l)(iv) specifies each self-closing\npressure relief valve for an MC 330 or MC 331 cargo tank must open at not less than the\nrequired set pressure and not more than 110% of the required set pressure, and must reseat to a\nleak-tight condition at no less than 90% of the required set pressure.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nGoodall, Shante CTR (PHMSA)\nFrom:\nSent:\nTo:\nSubject:\nRivera, Jordan CTR (PHMSA)\nMonday, May 23, 2016 12:55 PM\nHazmat Interps\nFW: Setting of safety relief valves\nHi Shante/Alice,\nMr. Williams sent this is as additional information to add to his original interp request (forwarded on Friday\n5/20). Please let me know if you have any questions.\nThank you,\nJordan\nFrom: Ray Williams [mailto:ray.williams@texastrailercorp.com]\nSent: Monday, May 23, 2016 11:57 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSubject: FW: Setting of safety relief valves\nHello Info Center,\nIf it is not too late, I would like to make one more request on the inquiry sent May 19, 2016.(See message below)\nIf we cannot apply the setting requirements now listed in 49 CFR 173.315 (3) to a cargo tank, please point out for us\nwhere to find the regulation for us to follow in fitting our cargo tanks with relief valves.\nBest Regards,\nRay Williams\nFrom: Ray Williams\nSent: Thursday, May 19, 2016 3:51 PM\nTo: infocntr@dot.gov\nSubject: Setting of safety relief valves\nHello Info Center,\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nAccording to 49 CFR 173.315(i)(3), each Safety relief valve on a portable tank must be set to start-to discharge at\npressure no higher than 110% of the tank design pressure and no lower than the design pressure specified in paragraph\n(a) of this section for the gas transported.\nThis section covers compressed gases in cargo tanks and portable tanks.\nFor more than 25 years, this paragraph related to \"tank\" and not to \"portable tank\".\nCan we apply the setting requirements now listed in 49 CFR 173.315 (3) to a cargo tank as well as to a portable tank?\nPlease submit this to any department that can offer a written response to this inquiry.\nBest Regards,\nRay Williams\nQuality & Technical Services\nTexas Trailer Corporation\n1310 Highway 82 West\nGainesville, TX 76240\nPhone 940-668-1777\nwww weldship. com\n2","truncated":false,"body_characters":4482}