{"operation":"document","citation":"18-0079","title":"Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2018-09-07","effective_on":null,"summary":"18-0079 response to Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc. concerning 172.504.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0079.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0079.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0079","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/68881/180079.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 O 7 2018\nRobert McHale\nRoberts Oxygen Company, Inc.\n17011 Railroad Street\nGaithersburg, MD 20877\nReference No. 18-0079\nDear Mr. McHale:\nThis letter is in response to your May 1 7, 2018, email and letter requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the requirements\nfor placarding a cargo tank. Specifically, you describe a scenario in which an MC 331 cargo\ntank motor vehicle (CTMV) is transporting \"UN2187, Carbon dioxide, refrigerated liquid\" along\nwith cylinders containing hazardous materials. Each side and each end of the CTMV is\nplacarded for each material being transported on the vehicle. The placards are readily visible\nfrom each direction they face. However, there are no placards on the cargo tank itself. You ask\nif the placards must be displayed on the cargo tank.\nThe answer is no. Affixing placards to the vehicle portion of the CTMV meets the general\nplacarding requirements in§ 172.504. Based on your description and the pictures that\naccompany your request, it is the opinion of this Office that the requirements are met.\nFurthermore, our response in Letter oflnterpretation Ref. No. 10-0126, as referenced in your\nincoming request, remains valid.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nirk De \"nde\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nCI (!(!QJ1)1.t\nQo.y?f \\ O.r\\\\(.s\n\\i -out9\nJanuary, lkeya CTR (PHMSA)\nFrom:\nSent:\nTo:\nCc:\nSubject:\nAttachments:\nCiccarone, Michael (PHMSA)\nTuesday, May 22, 2018 10:24 AM\nJanuary, Ikeya CTR (PHMSA)\nDerKinderen, Dirk (PHMSA); Kelley, Shane (PHMSA)\nFW: Roberts Oxygen Co. Inc. - Letter of Interpretation Request - status\nLtr _dot_Signed.pdf\nlkeya,\nPlease see the attached interp request for assignment.\nThanks,\nMike\nFrom: Gale, Tony (PHMSA)\nSent: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 8:57 AM\nTo: Ciccarone, Michael (PHMSA) <m.ciccarone@dot.gov>\nSubject: FW: Roberts Oxygen Co. Inc. - Letter of Interpretation Request - status\nHey have you had a chance to look in to this yet?\nTony\nFrom: Gale, Tony (PHMSA)\nSent: Thursday, May 17, 2018 11:16 AM\nTo: Ciccarone, Michael (PHMSA) <m.ciccarone@dot.gov>\nSubject: FW: Roberts Oxygen Co. Inc.\n- Letter of Interpretation Request - status\nHey Mike,\nCan you please look if y'all ever got this. Not sure if he actually sent it directly to Charles or not, but I told him Charles\na int over there anymore. So he should be starting to freak out if he actually did.\nTony\nFrom: McHale, Robert M.[mailto:rmchale@robertsoxygen.com]\nSent: Thursday, May 17, 2018 11:05 AM\n·To: Gale, Tony (PHMSA) <tony.gale@dot.gov>\nSubject: Roberts Oxygen Co. Inc. - Letter of Interpretation Request - status\nGood morning Tony,\nI sent the attached letter to Mr. Charles Betts requesting interpretation on a cargo tank question on 8/22/2018. I have\nreceived USPS confirmation that it was received by the DOT, but I have not heard any acknowledgement or reply.\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n17011 Railroad Street\nGaithersburg, Maryland 2077\nAugust 22 , 2017\nCharles E . Betts\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Material Standards\nUSDOT /PHMSA\n1200 New Jersey Avenue , SE\nWashington, D .C. 20590\nRE : Placarding of cargo tank motor vehicles\nDear Mr. Betts,\nWe are requesting from the Agency clarification regarding the placarding requirements for\ncargo tanks as put forth in the Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) 49 CFR\n172.514.\nDuring a recent DOT inspection in Frederick, VA by the Virginia State Police of one of our\ndelivery vehicles, we were cited with a violation of the aforementioned HMR, stating in part:\n\"MC 331 Cargo Tank is NOT Displaying Class 2 Non Flammable Gas\nPlacards for UN2 187 Carbon Dioxi.de Refrigerated Liquid 2.2 anywhere\non MC 331 Cargo Tank\". (see ATTACHMENT 1)\nOur cargo tank motor vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle with a 4000 lb. (less than\n1000 gallons volume) MC 331 bulk tank permanently affixed, containing Carbon Dioxide,\nRefrigerated Liquid, for delivery to our customers. The cargo tank is correctly labeled with\nthe orange panels displaying \"2187\" and the proper shipping name \"CARBON DIOXIDE,\nREFRIGERATED LIQUID\" (see ATTACHMENT 2 for pictures) . The cargo tank motor vehicle\nis also configured to carry additional hazardous material cylinders for delivery in the cargo\narea.\nWe hold this cargo tank motor vehicle to be appropriately placarded for both the cargo\ntank, with the 2.2 nonflammable placard inclusive of UN2187, and the 2.1 flammable\nplacard for both 2.1 & 2.2 cylinders on board (ref. 172.504.f.2). The placards are readily\nvisible on all four sides and not obscured by appurtenances.\nA Letter of Interpretation from your office, dated October 28, 2010 (Ref. No. : 10-0126, see\nATTACHMENT 3) , regarding placarding and marking of a cargo tank motor vehicle states\nin part:\n\"Generally, placards on the sides and ends of the cargo-carrying portion\nof a vehicle's cargo body satisfy requirements for placarding the sides\nand ends, as long as they are readily visible and not obscured by\nappurtenances in the direction they face. \"\nPage 1 of 2\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nQuestion: On our cargo tank motor vehicle, carrying bulk Carbon Dioxide, Refrigerated\nLiquid, must the placarding be displayed on the bulk packaging (cargo tank) itself or may\nthe required placards, inclusive of UN2187 be mounted, displayed and readily visible on\nall four sides of the vehicle?\nIf you have need of any further explanations or clarifications, please feel free to contact me\nat the below numbers and addresses any time.\nThank you in advance for your consideration of our inquiry. We look forward to your\nresponse.\nSincere regards, =?~\nRobert M. McHale\nManager of Safety and Training\nRoberts Oxygen Company, Inc.\nrmchale@ro bertsoxygen. com\n301 -948-8105 xl0133 (office) .\n301-370-0389 (cell)\ncc: Mark Udy, Fleet Coordinator, Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc.\nPage 2 of 2\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nWould you be able to point me to the right person/ office/ email to find out the status of this request. My boss is\ninterested in the progress.\nAny help with this would be greatly appreciated.\nSincere regards,\nBob McHale\nRobert M. McHale\nRoberts Oxygen Company, Inc.\n301 -948-8105 x10133 (work)\n301-948-2465 (fax)\n301-370-0389 (cell)\nSINCE1966\nCONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may\ncontain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If\nyou have received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately by email or phone.\n2\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nPLANLABLE\n352 E88\nCRON-FLAMMABLE\nROBERTE TORVEN\nRECKVELE HARTLANO\nROBERTS / OXYGEN\n301-948-8100\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\nHUBEHISUX YUCIN\nTHIS VEHICLE SIORS AT ALL HAILRUAD CRUSSINGS\nION FLAMMABLE\n352$388\n(2187)\nBUT, BET RACE RATEL\nROBERTS / OXYGEN\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\nATTACHM ENT 1 Page 1 of2\nDRIVER/VEHICLE EXAMINATION REPORT Aspen 3.0.0.17\nVirginia State Police\nMotor Carrier Safety\nPO Box 27472\nRichmond, VA 23261-7472\nPhone: (804)674-2005 Fax: (804)674-2916\nReport Number: VA3927007912\nInspection Date: 03/1712017\nStart: 08:45 AM ET End: 9:29:51 AM ET\nInspection Level: I - Full\nHM Inspection Type: Both Bulk & Non-Bulk\nROBERTS OXYGEN COMPANY INC\n17011 RAILROAD STREET\nGAITHERSBURG, MD 20877\nUSDOT#: 00094099 Phone#: (301)948-8100\nMC/MX#: Fax#:\nState#:\nLocation: STEPHENS CITY SCALES SOUTH\nHighway: 1-81 SOUTH\n,--- --\n!VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION\nI Unit ~ Make Year State Plate#\nI 1 TR KW 2014 MD 352E88\nDriver: WILSON, ROBERT W\nLicense#: T60861715\nState:VA\nDate of Birth: 05/21/1965\nCoDriver:\nLicense#:\nState:\nDate of Birth:\nMilePost: Shipper: ROBERTS OXYGEN COMPANY INC\nOrigin: WINCHESTER, VA Bill of Lading: 31717\nCounty: FREDERICK, VA Destination:LINDEN, VA Cargo: ACETYLENE DISSOLVED AND,\nI\nGVWR CVSA # CVSA Issued # OOS Sticker I\nEquipment ID\n441\n2NKHHN7X1 EM386402 33,000\n~\nBRAKE ADJUSTMENTS\nAxle# 1 i ~\nRight 1 N/M 7/8\nLeft 7/8 N/M 1 ,\nChamber C-20 C-20 C-30\n·- - - ·-\n---'-\n....._\nVIOLATIONS\nVio Code\n180.415B\nSection\n180.415(b)\n180.4158\n180.415(b)\n172.514A\n172.514(a)\n171 .2A\n171.2(a)\nThe Officer involved admitted he did not see the data plate: Mfg. date = 02/20 13. Violations\nUnit OOS Citation # Verify Crash Violations Discovered removed\n1 N\nN N Cargo tank test or inspection markings: Cargo Tank is Missing\nInternal Inspection Test Marking (I) for MC331 Cargo Tank.\nN\nN N Cargo tank test or inspection markings: Cargo Tank is Missing\nPressure Test Marking \"P\". for MC331 Cargo Tank.\nN\nN N Offering a bulk package that is not properly placarded: MC 331\nCargo Tank is NOT Displaying Class 2 Non Flammable Gas\nPlacards Placards for UN2187 Carbon Dioxide Refrigerated\nLiquid 2.2. anywhere on MC331 Cargo Tank.\nN\nN N Failure to comply with Hazardous Materials regulations:\n172.202(a)(7) - Number of Package for Cargo Tank is Missing.\nHazMat: 2.1 LPG; 2.2 Nonflammable gas\nS ecial Checks: No Data for Special Checks.\nPlacard: Yes Cargo Tank: 331\n~ (_~~~ G ~ ~L\n;:7\nX\ni Y 0 ,..\nI N\n3of-~3?£ ~ ~~\nl . ~\n'\\ f\\ J-,\n\\ 1J\n\\,:'\nCort)'. Received B~:\nROBERT WILSON\n1\n2\nPage\nof\n1111111111111111111111111111111111\nX 00094099 VA VA3927007912\n\n<<<PAGE 9>>>\n\nATTACHMENT 1 Page 2 of 2\nCargo tank means a bu lk packaging tllat\n( 1) Is a tank int ended pI1111anly foI the ca, r rage of lrqu rds or gases ancl rncludes appurtenances , r ernforcements, frtt rngs, and closu res (for\nthe defrnrtron of a tank, see .1~ t;.L RlliU/f), lllhllL J .. or 17 . c.ill. l, as applrcablel.\n(2) Is permane ntly att ached to or for rn s a part of a motor ve hicle, or is not permanently attachecl to a motor vel11 cle IJUt wl11 ch, lly reason of\nrt s srze, com tr uctron or attachrnenr to a motor vehrcle rs loaded or unloaded wIt11out being 1 ern oved from the motor vehicle, ancl\n(31 Is not falJ11ca tecl unde r a specification for cylinders, rnterrnedrate IJulk containers, 111ultI-unrt tan k c.ar tanks, portable tank s. or tank ca,s .\nCargo tank motor vehicle me,rns a motor vel11cle with one or more cargo tanks permanently attached to or forming an integral part of the\nmotor vehicle.\n§ I 72 .328 Cargo tanks.\n(a) Providing and affixing identification numbers. Unless a ca rgo tank rs al ready marked w1 tl1 the rden trfrcatron numllers req uired hy thi s\nsubpart, the iclentrfrcat ron numbers· musr Ile provided or affixed as follows\n(a)(IJ A person who offers a hazardous material to a motor carrier for tr ansportatron 111 a cargo ran k shall provide the motor carrier the\nident if1cat1on 1111 mhers on placa rd s 01 shall affr x orange panels contarnrn g the requ11ed IdentIfIcatron numbers, prior to or at the trme the\nmaterial rs offered for transportation .\n(aH21 A person who offers a cargo tank contaI11Ing a hazardous material for transportatron shall affrx the requ11ed rde nt rfrcatron nurnlJers on\npanels or placards pnor to 01 at the time the cargo tan k rs offered for tran sportation.\n(a)( 3) For a cargo ta nk tran spor ted on or 11> a transport vehicle 01 freight contarner, if the 1 denII fI ca t1 on num ber rna1k1ng on the cargo tan k\nreq uired by § LZ.L1Qlli!l would not normally be visilJle during transportation -\n(a)(3)(1 ) The transport vehrcle or freight contarn er mu st be marked a1 requ ired IJy §lZL.il2. on each srd e and each end wrth the ident1fIcat 1on\nnumber spec1f1 ecl for the material in the§ 172. 101 Table . and\n(a)(3)(11J When the cargo tan k rs permanently installed withrn an enclosed cargo IJody of the transport vel11cle or freight container, the\nidentification number marking required by § J 72 .3Q2 {a) need only be d11played on each side and end of a cargo tank that is visible when the\ncargo tank is accessed.\n§172.302 General marking requirements for bulk packagings.\nta) Identification numbers. Except as otherwise provided 111 this subpart, no person may offer for transportation or transport a hazardous\nmaterial in a bulk packaging unless the packagrng is marked as required by §.llLill with the identification number specified for the material\nin the §172.101 Table-\n(a)( I ) On each srde and each end, if the packaging has a capacity of 3,785 L (1,000 gallons) or more,\n(a)(2) On rwo oppos111g sides, if the packaging has a capacity of less than 3,785 L (1,000 gallons). or\n(aH3) For cylrnders permanently rnstalled on a tube trailer motor vehicle, on each side and each end of th e motor vehicle.\n(b) S ize of markings. Except as otherwise provrded, markings required by this subpart on bulk packagings must-\n(bH l ) Have a width of at least 6.0 rnm (0.24 ,nch) and a height of at least 100 111111 (3 .9 rnches) for rarl cars ,\nibH2 ) Have a wrcl th of ar leas t 4.0 111111 I0.16 ,nch) and a he1 gt1 t of at leas t 25 111111 (one rnch) for port able tanks wrth capaci tres of less than 3,785\nL ( 1,000 gallons) and IBCs. and\n\n<<<PAGE 10>>>\n\nATTACHMENT 3 Page 1 of 6\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials\nSafety Administration\nl 200 New Jersey Ave. SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nOCT 2 8 2010\nMr. Michael Ritchie\nHazardous Materials Specialist\nMinnesota Department of Transportation\nCommercial Vehicle Operations Section\n395 John Ireland Boulevard\nSt. Paul, MN 55155\nRef. No.: 10-0126\nDear Mr. Ritchie:\nThis responds to your letter regarding placarding and marking of cargo tank motor vehicles in\naccordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You asked\nwhether the required placards and markings, including the proper shipping name or common name\nand the INHALATION HAZARD marking, must be displayed directly on the cargo tank, or may the\nmarkings and placards be displayed on the ''vehicle equipment boxes\" or other appurtenances, as\nshown in the enclosed photographs of cargo tank motor vehicles in Liquefied Petroleum Gas {LPG)\nand Anhydrous Ammonia service, as long as the placards and markings are clearly visible.\nA cargo tank meets the definition of a bulk packaging and must be placarded on each side and each\nend. Section 172.516 states that each placard on a motor vehicle must be readily visible from the\ndirection it faces except from the direction of another transport vehicle to which the motor vehicle is\ncoupled. Generally, placards on the sides and ends of the cargo-carrying portion of a vehicle's cargo\nbody satisfy requirements for placarding the sides and ends, as long as they are readily visible and not\nobscured by appurtenances in the direction they face.\nIt is the opinion of this Office that a cargo tank motor vehicle placarded and marked with an\nidentification number display, including the proper shipping name or common name and the\nINHALATION HAZARD marking, as depicted in your photographs, complies with the requirements\nin § 172.516 for visibility and display. ·\nI hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.\nSincerely, ~\nBen~\nActing Chief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 11>>>\n\nATTACHMENT 3\nPage 2 of 6\nMinnesota Department of Transportation\nOffice of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations tn Q rU m\n395 John Ireland Blvd. -J\nSt. Paul, MN 55155-1899 - ~ ,12 .5 / 3\n~ J12.. 328\nc§ 1,z.ooL/-\nM o..rll-\\'n-j I Placo fd1r13\n10-O,;i&,\nJune 7, 2010\nCharles E. Betts\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Material Standards\nUSDOT/PHMSA\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nRe: Placarding and marking of cargo tank motor vehicles\nDear Mr. Betts,\nThe Federal hazardous material regulations require placarding and marking of both bulk hazmat\npackages and vehicles transporting hazardous materials. 49 CFR 172.504 requires placarding of\neach bulk packaging and transport vehicle, unless excepted. Section 172.514 requires each\nperson offering a bulk packaging containing hazardous material to affix the placards specified\nfor that material to the bulk packaging. Section 172.328 requires cargo tanks transporting Class 2\ncompressed gases to display the proper shipping name or common name of the material, and its\nID number. Section 172.313 requires bulk packaging containing materials poisonous by\ninhalation to be marked INHALATION HAZARD on two opposing sides.\nEnclosed are photographs of two cargo tank motor vehicles. One is in propane service, the other\nin anhydrous ammonia service. Both display placards and markings on the equipment boxes\nattached to the vehicles, not on the bulk packaging itself. The placards and markings are clearly\nvisible from the direction they face.\nQuestion: On a cargo tank motor vehicle in LPG or anhydrous ammonia service, must the\nrequired placarding and marking be displayed on the bulk packaging (the cargo tank) or may the\nrequired placards and marks, including the shipping name and the INHALATION HAZARD\nmarking, when appropriate, be displayed on vehicle equipment boxes or other appurtenances, as\nlong as those marks and placards are clearly visible?\nYours truly, 1 /} ~ .\nv/,;{,t,.,,. ~ {/\\v{A/~'---\nMichael Ritchie\nHazardous Materials Specialist\nMinnesota Department of Transportation\nCommercial Vehicle Operations Section\n395 John Ireland Boulevard\nSt. Paul, MN 55155\n(651) 366-3697\nAn equal opportunity employer\n\n<<<PAGE 12>>>\n\nLAND O LAKES\nCENEX\non of Perl\n\n<<<PAGE 13>>>\n\n3614A\n\n<<<PAGE 14>>>\n\n\n\n<<<PAGE 15>>>\n\nHAZARD\nINHALATION","truncated":false,"body_characters":17393}