{"operation":"document","citation":"17-0030","title":"Quantum Fuel Systems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2017-06-19","effective_on":null,"summary":"17-0030 response to Quantum Fuel Systems concerning 173.301.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0030.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0030.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0030","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2017/170030.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\n· Administration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nJUN 1 9 2017\nTae Kim\nDesign Release Engineer\nQuantum Fuel Systems\n25242 Artie Ocean Drive\nLake Forest, CA 92630\nReference No. 17-0030\nDear Mr. Kim:\nThis letter is in response to your February 24, 2017, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CPR Parts 171-180) applicable to the general\nrequirements for shipment of compressed gases and other hazardous materials in cylinders,\nUnited Nations pressure receptacles, and spherical pressure vessels. You include a diagram of a\nmanifolded cylinder system and specifically seek confirmation of your understanding that the\nregulations in § 173.301 (g) would allow the quarter turn valve or shutoff valve to remain in the\nopen position if an air operated valve (AOV) is closed while the cylinders are manifolded in\ntransportation.\nYour understanding is not correct. According to § 173.301(g), each cylinder must be equipped\nwith an individual shutoff valve that must be tightly closed while in transit, except cylinders\ncontaining a Division 2.2 material. While your original email did not specify the primary\nmaterial being filled inside the cylinders, you explained in a subsequent email and phone\nconversation with a member of my staff that it would be either a Division 2.1 or Division 2.2\nmaterial. The individual shutoff valve for cylinders filled with a Division 2.1 material cannot\nremain open while in transit even if an AOV is installed. However, cylinders filled with a\nDivision 2.2 material are not subject to the individual shutoff valve requirements and can remain\nin the open position while in transit.\nIn addition, the HMR do not prohibit the use of an AOV installed on manifolded cylinder\nsystems. However, in order to use an AOV while transporting a Division 2.1 material in the\nmanner you describe, you must submit an application for a Special Permit.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSent:\nTo:\nSubject:\nAttachments:\nWednesday, March 01, 2017 9:33 AM\nHazmat Interps\nFW: Interpretation request for Title 49 part 173 301g\nPHMSA-DOT Title 49 part 173 301g 2-24-17.pdf\nFollow Up Flag:\nFlag Status:\nFollow up\nFlagged\nHi Shante/Alice,\nPlease submit this as a letter of interpretation. Mr. Kim spoke with Jodi.\nPlease let me know if you have any questions.\nThanks,\nJordan\nFrom: Tae Kim [mailto:tkim@qtww.com]\nSent: Friday, February 24, 2017 8:22 PM\nTo: PHMSA HM lnfoCenter <PHMSAHMlnfoCenter@dot.gov>\nSubject: Interpretation request for Title 49 part 173 301g\nDear Sir or Madam,\nPlease see attached document regarding request for interpretation of Title 49 part 173 301g.\nBest regards,\nTae Kim\nDesign Release Engineer\nI R~A®JM\n25242 arctic ocean drive I lake forest I california I 92630 I usa I\ntel. (949) 399 4614 I fax (949) 930 3401\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n25242 Arctic Ocean Drive\nLake Forest, CA 92630\np 949-930-3400\nFebruary 24, 2017\nRegulation reference: 49 CFR 173.30 I General requirements for shipment of compressed gases and other\nhazardous materials in cylinders, UN pressure receptacles and spherical pressure vessels ...\n(g) Manifolding cylinders in transportation. (I) Cylinder manifolding is authorized only under conditions\nprescribed in this paragraph (g). Manifolded cylinders must be supported and held together as a unit by\nstructurally adequate means. Except for Division 2.2 materials, each cylinder must be equipped with an\nind ividual shutoff valve that must be tightly closed while in transit. Manifold branch lines must be\nsufficiently flexible to prevent damage to the valves that otherwise might result from the use of rigid\nbranch lines. Each cylinder must be individually equipped with a pressure relief device as required in\nparagraph (f) of this section ...\nOur interpretation of this regulation would allow for the use of a system design as shown in the diagram\nbelow, figure I. This diagram represents the plumbing on each row of cylinders within the trailer. There\nmay be up to 17 rows of cylinders per trailer, refer to figure 2 on the next page. The intent is to leave the\nYi tum valve in the open position but close the air actuated valve for transportation. The inlet check\nvalves close the inlet lines from the cylinders. The outlet check valves isolate the contents of each\ncylinder. The air actuated valve closes the cylinders off from the outlet lines. There would be one air\nactuated valve per row of three cylinders.\nOutlet\n....------ IJ::'~ ()d.t ~--------\nr - - -- - - -- -- - - - ------ - -\n~ Pneumatic\nIsolation\n~,;~\n\".>U.\"?\n...\nTPRO\n10 1\nCF101\n\"'\n\"\"\ncr 111\n.,\n,,,.,\n'\\\n,,.,\nTPRO\n111\nTPRD\n121\nCV102\nCV112\nInlet\n1 -\n.---- ... __ .....\n_ _ l\n_\n' ~, •. ,_ ~ __ l_ ... -- ~ - - - -- - - _ ··,..,,/ -\"'\"\nLegend:\nTPRD 101, 111, 121 are them1ally activated pressure relief device.\nTNK 101 , 111 , 121 are pressure tanks\nCF 101, 111, 121 are tank heads\n. MV 101, 111, 121 are manual '!. tum valves\nCV 101, 11 1, 121, 102, 112, 122 are check valves\nADVl 01 is an air actuated valve.\nFigure 1\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\n25242 Arctic Ocean Drive\nLake Forest, CA 92630\np 949-930-3400\nFigure 2\nBest regards,\nTae Kim\nQuantum Fuel Systems LLC","truncated":false,"body_characters":5319}