# Arizona Department of Public Safety — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 99-0248
- **title:** Arizona Department of Public Safety — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2001-02-06
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 99-0248 response to Arizona Department of Public Safety concerning 173.315.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0248.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0248.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0248
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990248.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W
of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
FEB
6 2001
Mr. Steve Herman
Ref. No. 99-0248
Hazardous Materials Coordinator
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2102 West Encanto Boulevard
Phoenix, Arizona 85005-6638
Dear Mr. Herman:
This is in further response to your letter dated September 3, 1999, requesting clarification of the
; 173.315(k) of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)
equirements applicable to non-specification cargo tanks operating under the provisions o
Specifically, you asked if the final rule adopted under HM-225A requires these cargo tanks to be
equipped with an internal self-closing stop valve.
The answer is yes. However, we have reconsidered our conclusion, in our October 20, 1999
letter to you, as to the date by which non-specification cargo tanks must be equipped with
internal self-closing stop valves.
Section 180.405(n) of the HMR requires non-specification cargo tanks conforming to
§ 173.315(k) to be equipped with a means of thermal activation for the internal self-closing stop
valve by the date of its first scheduled leakage test after July 1, 1999. The thermal activation
device must meet the requirements for thermal remote operators in § 178.337-8(a)(4). This
requirement does not apply to a non-specification cargo tank authorized under § 173.315(k) that
is not currently equipped with an internal self-closing stop valve.
Although a non-specification cargo tank that does not have an internal self-closing stop valve
need not be retrofitted with a thermal activation device at this time, it will be necessary to install
such a device as part of the emergency discharge control system retrofit program required under
$180.405(m). This section requires a non-specification cargo tank authorized under § 173.315(k)
to be equipped with an emergency discharge control capability as specified in § 173.315(n) at the
date of its first scheduled pressure test after July 1, 2001. Section 173.315(n) requires each cargo
tank used to transport liquefied compressed gas to have an emergency discharge control
capability. For each cargo tank operating in metered delivery service, as defined in § 171.8, with
a capacity of 3,500 gallons or less, the emergency discharge control capability consists of an off-
truck means to close the internal self-closing stop valve and shut off all motive and auxiliary
power (see § 173.315(n)(3)). Thus, at the date of its first scheduled pressure test after
July 1, 2001, each non-specification cargo tank operating under § 173.315(k) in metered delivery
990248

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Page 2
service must be equipped with an internal self-closing stop valve and an off-truck means to close
the valve and shut off all motive and auxiliary power. When the internal self-closing stop valve
is installed, each non-specification cargo tank must also be equipped with a means of thermal
activation for the internal self-closing stop valve in accordance with § 180.405(n).
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact
this office.
Sincerely,
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
2102 WEST ENCANTO BLVD. P. O. BOX 6638
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85005-6638 (602) 223-2000
JANE DEE HULL
GOVEHNON
OE ALB
IRECTO
September 3, 1999
U.S. Department of Transportation
Research & Special Programs Administration
3173.315
ATTENTION: Mr. Ed Mazzullo
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
400 Seventh Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
99-0248
Dear Sirs:
regarding the requirement for a internal self-closing stop valve on a nonspecification
I am writing to clarify the intent of the recently adopted Docket HM-225A changes
cargo tank operating under the provisions of 49 CFR 173.315(k).
New wording in 173.315(k)(5) states such a tank must "....be) equipped...as specified
for MC 331 cargo tanks.
requirements of this subchapter," such a nonspecification tank would be subject to
Further, since 173.315(k)(8) states "It must be operated in conformance with all other
means to close the internal self-closing stop valve..."
173.315(n), specifically 173.315(n)(3) which states,
...must have an off-truck remote
paragraph (k) of this section must have a thermal means of closure for each internal
Finally, since 173.315(p) provides "...or nonspecification cargo tank authorized under
self-closing stop valve as specified in Sec. 178.337-8(a)(4) of this subchapter," the tank
is subject to 178.337-8(a)(4) which provides, "
must be fitted with a primary discharge control system as defined in Sec. 178.337-1(g),"
"...each liquid or vapor discharge outlet
such a nonspecification tank would be subject to 178.337-1(g) which states, "Primary
discharge control system means a primary shut-off installed at a product discharge
outlet of a cargo tank consisting of an internal self-closing stop valve...
tank operating under the provisions of 49 CFR 173.315(k) must be equipped with an
In light of all of the above, is my understanding correct that a nonspecification cargo
internal self-closing stop valve?
Please do not hesitate to contact me at 602-223-2886 if my request for an interpretation
is not clear.
Sincerely
Steve Hermann
Hazardous Materials Coordinator
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