{"operation":"document","citation":"18-0024","title":"Versum Materials — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2018-09-18","effective_on":null,"summary":"18-0024 response to Versum Materials concerning 171.7, 173.301, 178.75.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0024.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0024.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0024","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/68976/180024.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nSEP 1 6 20 \\8\nRichard Schuyler\nSr. Principal Mechanical Engineer\nV ersum Materials\n357 Marian Avenue\nTamaqua, PA 18252\nReference No. 18-0024\nDear Mr. Schuyler:\nThis letter is in response to your February 21, 2018, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to pressure relief\ndevices (PRDs) for Multi-Element Gas Cylinders (MEGCs). Specifically, you seek confirmation\nof your understanding that MEGCs transporting \"UN2451 , Nitrogen trifluoride\" do not require\nPRDs in accordance with the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) S-1 .1 pamphlet, which is\nincorporated by reference in § 171 . 7 of the HMR.\nYour understanding is correct. In accordance with§ 173.301(f), a cylinder filled with a gas and\noffered for transportation must be equipped with one or more PRDs sized and selected as to type,\nlocation, quantity, and tested in accordance with CGA S-1.1. When a person refers to CGA S-\n1.1 , Table 3, the \"T\" code for nitrogen trifluoride indicates only specific PRDs are authorized for\noptional use during transportation thus, the CG-4 or CG-5 device must be used when a PRD is\npermissively selected. Please note, when an optional PRD is selected, a person must comply\nwith the requirements in§§ 173.301(f) and l 78.75(f) for MEGCs installed with a PRD when\napplicable.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nirk r Kin en\nChief, Stand rds Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n. v\nVERSUM\nMATERIALS\n-~tQ__,t_\n§ i7~. '7~/({)\nt 7 oJ 30 ! (p)\n1\n1\n-;) j , fl VERSUM MATERIALS, US LLC\nIOuo(u, bet- 357 Marian Ave.\n0 Tamaqua, PA 18252\nI . v ~ 1 ,\" n L I t . 510-461-0001\nt L{) rx T VersumMaterials.com\nFebruary 21, 2018\nE-Mail\ninfocntr@dot.gov\nATTN : Hazardous Materials Information Center\nSUBJECT: Letter of Interpretation\nREF: 49 CFR § 178.75(f)(1) and 173.301(f)\nTo Whom It May Concern:\nIn accordance with 49 CFR § 105.20(2), I am writing to you seeking guidance regarding the above\nreferenced citation from Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Versum Materials is currently\nexpanding our fleet of Multi-Element Gas Containers (MEGCs) used for domestic and international\ntransport of Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF3). During 3rd party design approval and MEGC certification process,\nthe design basis for pressure relief devices (PRDs) has been questioned. For the reasons explained in the\nfollowing paragraphs, we believe that PRDs are not required to be installed on NF3 MEGCs.\nPer§ 178.75 Specifications for MEGCs\n(f) Pressure relief devices. Each pressure receptacle must be equipped with one or more pressure\nrelief devices as specified in§ 173.301(!) of this subchapter. When pressure relief devices are\ninstalled, each pressure receptacle or group of pressure receptacles of a MEGC that can be\nisolated must be equipped with one or more pressure relief devices. Pressure relief devices must\nbe of a type that will resist dynamic forces including liquid surge and must be designed to prevent\nthe entry of foreign matter, the leakage of gas and the development of any dangerous excess\npressure.\n(1) The size of the pressure relief devices: CGA 5-1.1 {/BR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) must be\nused to determine the relief capacity of individual pressure receptacles.\nPer§ 173.301 General requirements for shipment of compressed gases and other hazardous materials\nin cylinders, UN pressure receptacles and spherical pressure vessels.\n(f) Pressure relief device systems.\nVERSUMMATERIALS.COM\nVersum Materials Confidential\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(5} through (f)(7) and U) of this section, and §171.23(0) of\nthis subchapter, a cylinder filled with a gas and offered for transportation must be equipped\nwith one or more pressure relief devices sized and selected as to type, location, and quantity,\nand tested in accordance with CGA 5-1.1 (compliance with paragraph 9.1.1.l is not required)\nand CGA Pamphlet 5-7 {!BR, see §171.7 of this subchapter). The pressure relief device must be\ncapable of preventing rupture of the normally filled cylinder when subjected to a fire test\nconducted in accordance with CGA C-14 {!BR, see §171.7 of this subchapter}, or, in the case of\nan acetylene cylinder, CGA C-12 {/BR, see §171.7 of this subchapter).\nCGA S-1.1 is cited as the basis for selection and sizing of PRDs. The 12th edition of CGA S-1.1 is\nincorporated by reference in the Hazardous Material Regulations per 49 CFR §171.7. In accordance\nwith Table 3 of CGA S-1.1 (12th ed.), the following device assignment is listed for Nitrogen Trifluoride:\nNo PRD required. This device (i.e., CG-4 or CG-5) is to be selected if a PRD is used.\nWe have determined that no PRDs are required to be installed on NF3 MEGCs, per the above basis. We\nherein request a letter of interpretation to validate this design basis as required to support 3rd party\napproval and certification. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. Please do not\nhesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need any additional information.\nRichard R. Schuyler, P .E.\nSr. Principal Mechanical Engineer\nVersum Materials\n2\nVersum Materials Confidential","truncated":false,"body_characters":5365}