{"operation":"document","citation":"99-0040","title":"Department of California Highway — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1999-03-02","effective_on":null,"summary":"99-0040 response to Department of California Highway concerning 177.840.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0040.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0040.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0040","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990040.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nWashington, D.C. 20590\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\nResearch and\nMAR 2\n1999\nSpecial Programs\nAdministration\nMr. Paul Horgan\nRef. No. 99-0040\nDepartment of California Highway Patrol\nP.O. Box 942898\nSacramento, CA 94298\nDear Mr. Horgan:\nThis is in reference to our conversation on February 3, 1999, concerning the proper orientation\nfor loading certain DOT 4L cylinders which are being used in oxygen, refrigerated liquid\nservice. The requirements in 49 CFR 173.316(c) and 177.840(a)(1) specify that DOT 4L\ncylinders must be loaded (on a motor vehicle) in an upright position.\nThe cylinders in question were designed and constructed to be used and transported with the\nlongitudinal axis of the cylinders positioned, horizontally. Because of the unique design of these\nDOT 4L cylinders, the vapor space is along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. Therefore, it is\nthis office's determination that these cylinders are \"upright\" when they are transported in a\nhorizontal position, as the safety relief devices are in communication with the vapor space of the\ncylinder. This type of positioning enables the pressure relief devices to function and protect the\ncylinder in a safe manner as intended. Accordingly, we find that the transportation of these\ncylinders in a horizontal position conforms with the requirements in §§ 173.316(c) and\n177.804(a)(1). We proposed a revision to § 177.804(a)(1) in a recent notice of proposed\nrulemaking (RSPA 98-3684 HM-220; October 30, 1998).\nI hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please contact this office.\nSincerely,\nHitte z, Mitchell\nHattie L. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n....\nMAR 2\n1999\nMr. Paul Horgan\nRef. No. 99-0040\nDepartment of California Highway Patrol\nP.Ó. Box 942898\nSacramento, CA 94298\nDear Mr. Horgan:\nThis is in reference to our conversation on February 3, 1999, concerning the proper orientation\nfor loading certain DOT 4L cylinders which are being used in oxygen, refrigerated liquid\nservice. The requirements in 49 CFR 173.316(c) and 177.840(a)(1) specify that DOT 4L\ncylinders must be loaded (on a motor vehicle) in an upright position.\nThe cylinders in question were designed and constructed to be used and transported with the\nlongitudinal axis of the cylinders positioned, horizontally. Because of the unique design of these\nDOT 4L cylinders, the vapor space is along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. Therefore, it is\nthis office's determination that these cylinders are \"upright\" when they are transported in a\nhorizontal position, as the safety relief devices are in communication with the vapor space of the\ncylinder. This type of positioning enables the pressure relief devices to function and protect the\ncylinder in a safe manner as intended. Accordingly, we find that the transportation of these\ncylinders in a horizontal position conforms with the requirements in §§ 173.316(c) and\n177.804(a)(1). We proposed a revision to § 177.804(a)(1) in a recent notice of proposed\nrulemaking (RSPA 98-3684 HM-220; October 30, 1998).\nI hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please contact this office.\nSincerely,\nHattie L. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\nHmitchell:DHM-12:2/11/99:cdd\nFile: 177.840(a), 173.316\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nRequester\nPaul Horgan\nDate Received: 2/12/99\nCompany\nDepartment of California Highway patrol\nTracking Number: 99-0040\nPhone\nRevision Date: 2/12/99\nDate Assigned 2/12/99\nDate of Letter 2/3/99\nStaff\nMitchell\nFirst Draft Due: 3/5/99\nSection\n173.316(c)\nFirst Draft Date: 2/12/99\nSubject\nCylinders\nConcurrence\nStatus\nStatus Date\nSign Date\nSignor\nHBPO\nCopy to Docket\nCopy to DHM-60\nComment","truncated":false,"body_characters":3814}