{"operation":"document","citation":"22-0028","title":"DOT Training Solutions — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2023-01-24","effective_on":null,"summary":"22-0028 response to DOT Training Solutions concerning 178.345, 180.407.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0028.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0028.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0028","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/77216/220028.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nJanuary 24, 2023\nMr. Randy Decker\nSafety Consultant\nDOT Training Solutions\nP.O. Box 25311\nOverland Park, KS 66225\nReference No. 22-0028\nDear Mr. Decker:\nThis letter is in response to your March 17, 2022, email requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the testing and inspection\nrequirements for multi-compartment Department of Transportation (DOT) specification cargo\ntanks. In your email, you state that §§ 180.407(g)(1)(vi) and 180.407(h)(1) of the HMR require\nthat each cargo tank of a multi-tank cargo tank motor vehicle be pressure-tested and leakage-\ntested respectively, with the adjacent cargo tanks empty and at atmospheric pressure.\nFurthermore, you ask whether a void at atmospheric pressure between double bulkheads—as\ndescribed in your email—may be considered an adjacent compartment for the purposes of\npressure and leakage testing under § 180.407.\nThe answer is no. Sections 180.407(g)(1)(vi) and (h)(1) both state that “each cargo tank of a\nmulti-tank cargo tank motor vehicle must be tested with the adjacent cargo tanks empty and at\natmospheric pressure.” Under § 178.345-1(c), the HMR define a “void” as “the space between\ntank heads or bulkheads and a connecting structure.” Therefore, a “void” does not meet the\ndefinition of a cargo tank.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nPollack\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Request for a letter of clarification\nDate: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 4:45:05 PM\nAttachments: image002.png\nimage003.png\n22-0028\nHi Alice,\nPlease see the below interpretation request.\nShould you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.\nRegards,\n-Breanna\nFrom: Randy Decker <randydecker@dottrainingsolutions.com>\nSent: Thursday, March 17, 2022 3:59 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSubject: Request for a letter of clarification\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or\nopen attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nNeed clarification on voids on multi-compartment cargo tanks. In 180.407 (g)(1)(vi) and 180.407\n(h)(1), the regulations state that a tank of multi-compartments must be tested with the adjacent\ntank empty and open to atmosphere. If the tank has double bulkheads, therefore a void would be\nbetween the compartments. Would the void be considered the adjacent compartment? The void is\nnever to be plugged on the bottom and open to atmosphere at all times.\nRandy Decker\nSafety Consultant\nMobile: (913) 350-0373|Toll Free: (866) 296-7394\nEmail: randydecker@dottrainingsolutions.com\nWebsite: https://dottrainingsolutions.com\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nPO Box 25311 Overland Park, Kansas 66225","truncated":false,"body_characters":3097}