{"operation":"document","citation":"18-0121","title":"Railroad Commission of Texas — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2019-02-05","effective_on":null,"summary":"18-0121 response to Railroad Commission of Texas concerning 180.407.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0121.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0121.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-18-0121","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/70316/180121.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nWashington, DC 20590\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nMaterials Safety\nPipeline and Hazardous\nAdministration\nFEB 0 5 2019\nAdam Rodriguez\nRailroad Commission of Texas\nAFS Department\n622 S. Oakes St. #J\nSan Angelo, TX 76903\nReference No. 18-0121\nDear Mr. Rodriguez:\nThis letter is in response to your September 4, 2018, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to periodic testing\nand inspection of MC 331 cargo tanks. Specifically, you ask two questions in reference to the\n§ 180.407(c) table for internal visual inspection and pressure test intervals.\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1.\nYou ask whether MC 331 cargo tanks that have less than 3,500 gallons water capacity,\nare constructed of NQT SA-612 steel (or other approved materials), and are used to\ntransport propane and other liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) such as butane, isobutane,\npropylene and butylenes are eligible for the 10-year interval for visual inspection.\nAl.\nThe answer is no. The exception from the baseline 5-year requalification is limited to\ncargo tanks in \"dedicated propane service.\" The phrase \"dedicated propane service\"\nmeans that the cargo tank is used to transport propane gas exclusively; the term does not\nextend to other LPGs.\nQ2.\nYou ask whether MC 331 cargo tanks that meet the capacity and material of construction\ncriteria but are used to transport LPGs other than propane must \"go back\" to the 5-year\ninterval listed in the table in § 180.407(c).\nA2.\nThe cargo tanks you describe have always required the 5-year interval timeframe. They\nare not eligible for the exception to requalify the cargo tank under a longer interval (i.e.,\n10 years) because they do not meet the criteria for eligibility.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n$ 180.\ncasey ore\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\n18-0121\nFrom:\nINFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSent:\nTuesday, September 04, 2018 4:47 PM\nTo:\nHazmat Interps\nSubject:\nFW: Formal interpretation of 49 CFR 180.407 (c)\nHello Alice and Ikeya,\nThe caller spoke to Breanna this morning. She pointed him to 218H. The caller also spoke to his field office (P-1604) and\nthey were wondering why only propane was singled out for this test extension. Below is the letter request:\nThanks,\nJonathon\nFrom: Adam Rodriguez [mailto:Adam.Rodriguez@rrc.texas.gov]\nSent: Tuesday, September 04, 2018 1:03 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) < INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nCc: Rucker, Walter (PHMSA) <Walter.Rucker@dot.gov>; Benavidez, Juan (PHMSA) <juan.benavidez@dot.gov>\nSubject: Formal interpretation of 49 CFR 180.407 (c)\nRequest for Formal Interpretation of wording \"in dedicated propane service\" stated in the Chart of 49 CFR 180.407(c)\nQuestion:\nRegarding the change to a 10 year internal and pressure Test on MC 331 NQT SA612 units under 3500gallons water\ncapacity in 49 CFR 180.407 (c).\nThe chart in this section states units \"in dedicated propane service\".\nDoes this mean that units that haul propane and other Liquified petroleum gases such as Butane, Isobutane, propylene,\nand butylenes which are all listed under Liquified Petroleum Gas in the emergency response guide book are not included\nin the extended 10 year test requirement. Would these units hauling other Liquified Petroleum Gases like Butane,\nIsobutane, Propylene and Butylenes along with propane be required to go back to the 5 year internal and pressure test\nrequirement.\nAdam Rodriguez\nRailroad Commission of Texas\nLead Inspector West Texas\nAFS Dept.\nOversight & Safety Div.\n622S. Oakes St. #J\nSan Angelo, TX 76903\nadam.rodriguez@rrc.texas.gov\n512-971-2989\n1","truncated":false,"body_characters":3782}