2.5.7

1. 2.5.7 Transporting ASME, DOT Portable, and Intermodal (IM) Tanks To provide safe and efficient transporting of bulk containers, such as ASME tanks and DOT specification tanks, employees should know and understand the required DOT regulations as well as be able to apply proper transporting procedures. • In this module you will learn to identify: • Load inspection rules for tanks and cargo in transit • Procedures for transporting bulk containers

2. The DOT regulatory reference for load securement inspection is found in 49 CFR § 392.9. Drivers must inspect their cargo for proper securement and distribution before starting a trip & within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip, and make necessary adjustments. They must re-examine the cargo and securement devices, making necessary adjustments whenever: • The driver has a change of duty status; or • The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 3 hours; or • The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 150 miles. Load Inspection Rules for Tanks and Cargo

3. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers ASME tanks are designed for storage of propane and are permanently installed at bulk plants or customer locations. ASME tanks with water capacities over 125 gallons cannot be transported when filled with liquid LP-gas to more than 5% of their water capacity. DOT specification portable tanks and intermodal tanks are designed to be transported filled to their maximum permitted filling density. These tanks have structural protection for valves and fittings not required for ASME storage tanks.

4. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers ASME Tanks – The primary regulatory requirements for transporting ASME tanks are found in 49 CFR § 172.315 (j): • Each container must be constructed in compliance with the requirements of the ASME Code & have a readable data plate. • The containers shall be so braced or otherwise secured on the vehicle as to prevent relative motion while in transit. Valves or other fittings shall be adequately protected against injury during transportation. • Except for containers of less than 1,042 pounds water capacity (125 gallons), containers shall not be shipped when charged with liquefied petroleum gas to more than 5 percent of their water capacity.

5. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers ASME Tanks – When an ASME tank larger than 120-water gallons capacity containing propane (gross weight approximately 665 pounds), or two or more 120s are transported, the vehicle must be placarded on the front, back and both sides. Figure 1. Vehicle Transporting New and Used ASME Tanks

6. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers ASME Tanks – Flammable gas shipping labels must be applied to each side of ASME tanks of less than 1,000 gallons water capacity containing propane. Figure 2. Flammable Gas Label DOT

7. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers ASME Tanks – Tanks with 1,000 water gallon capacities or larger must be labeled or placarded on each side and both ends. Figure 3. LP-Gas Placard [The hazard class (2) or division (2.1) may be used on placards.] Placards only should be used on tanks larger than 5,000 gallons (640 cubic feet) because the exception authorizing the use of flammable gas labels does not apply.

8. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers ASME Tanks – ASME tanks should be secured with at least 2 cargo straps and binders, or chains and binders having sufficient working load limit ratings for the tank(s) being transported. Additional cargo straps or chains should be used for each additional 10-foot length of tanks longer than a typical 1,000 gallon ASME tank, or where 2 restraints do not meet minimum working load requirements for heavier loads.

9. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers Figure 4. ASME Tank Labeling, Vehicle Placarding, and Cargo Restraints

10. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers DOT Portable Tanks – DOT 51 portable and intermodal (IM) tanks are built with water capacities of more than 1000 pounds. Figure 5. DOT/ICC 51 Portable Tank

11. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers DOT Portable Tanks – Openings except for pressure-relief devices, inspection openings, and closed bleed holes must be fitted with at least three mutually independent shut-off devices in series: • An internal stop-valve with internal excess flow device • An external stop-valve • A blank flange or threaded cap, plug or equivalent tight liquid closure device

12. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers Figure 6. Shut-off Devices in Series

13. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers DOT Portable Tanks For filling and discharge openings located below the liquid level, the internal stop-valve must be a self-closing safety device that fully closes automatically during filling or discharge in the event of fire within 30 seconds of the actuation of the thermal means of closure. Except for tanks having a capacity of less than 264 water gallons, this device must be operable by remote control. Note: Check the skids, lugs and support plates for damage before working with a DOT portable tank. Corrosion or cracked welds are extremely dangerous. If there is any damage, notify your supervisor immediately.

14. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers DOT Portable Tanks – The design specific gravity for a DOT 51 portable tank used for propane is 0.510. Figure 7. DOT/ICC Portable Tank Data Plate

15. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers DOT Portable Tank Test Date – The pressure test and inspection must be successfully completed every 5 years, with the month and year of the most recent test and inspection marked on the tank on or near its data plate. Figure 7. DOT/ICC Portable Tank Data Plate

16. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers • DOT Portable Tank Required Markings – DOT/ICC portable tanks used in the propane industry are those built under DOT 51 specifications. The information that must be displayed on a DOT portable tank is as follows: • Shipping name - PROPANE, BUTANE OR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS • Name of the owner or lessee of the tank • Hazard class - FLAMMABLE GAS • The shipping name must be marked on the tank shell by means of painting, stenciling, or a decal.

17. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers DOT Portable Tank Required Markings – The hazard class is typically displayed by either of the FLAMMABLE GAS placards. Either This: or This: Figure 9. Flammable Gas Placards

18. Procedures for Transporting Bulk Containers DOT Portable Tank Required Markings –Placards must show UN 1075 or UN 1075 on orange panel in addition to a FLAMMABLE GAS placard. This: This: plus 1075 Figure 9. Flammable Gas Placards

19. Procedures for Transporting DOT IM Tanks Figure 10. DOT 51 IM Portable Tank Picture Courtesy of Texas Trailers Corporation, Gainesville, Texas Notice polished aluminum sunshield on upper section.

20. Procedures for Transporting DOT IM Tanks Securing devices, called “anchor points”, allow connection to the integral locking devices of container railcars, truck container vehicle chassis, barges and ships equipped for intermodal container service, and to adjacent IM tanks or containers. Figure 11. DOT IM Tanks and Ocean-Going Container Ship

21. Procedures for Transporting DOT IM Tanks DOT regulations in 49 CFR § 393.126 require that securement devices must restrain the container from moving more than ½ inch in any direction relative to the transport vehicle, railcar, or vessel. Securement devices must be inspected before use, and damaged devices cannot be used. • When IM portable tanks are transported on vehicles other than container chassis vehicles the following requirements apply: • All lower corners of the intermodal container must rest upon the vehicleor the corners must be supported by a structure capable of bearing the weight of the container. • Each container must be secured to the vehicle by chains, wire ropes, or integral devices which are fixed to all lower corners (or crossed chains fixed to all upper corners).

22. Procedures for Transporting DOT IM Tanks • When IM portable tanks are transported on vehicles other than container chassis vehicles the following requirements apply: • The front and rear of the container must be secured independently. Each chain, wire rope, or integral locking device must be attached to the container in a manner that prevents it from being unintentionally unfastened while the vehicle is in transit. The location of the hazard class labels or placards depends on the rated capacity of the IM tank.

23. Procedures for Transporting DOT IM Tanks • The requirements for locating the hazard class placards are as follows: • IM Tanks with a rated LP-gas capacity greater than 1,000 gallons - four placards, one on each side and each head of the tank (never on the top or bottom of the tank). • IM Tanks with a rated LP-gas capacity less than 1,000 gallons - two placards or labels, one located on each side of the tank near the shipping name or one on each head of the tank.

24. The DOT regulatory reference for unloading intermodal portable tanks is found in 49 CFR § 177.834 (o). Procedures for Transporting DOT IM Tanks Liquefied petroleum gas may not be transferred from an IM portable tank while it remains on a transport vehicle with the power unit (tractor) attached except under the following conditions: • A qualified person must attend the unloading operation, and the person performing unloading functions must be trained in handling emergencies that may occur during unloading operations. • Prior to unloading, the operator of the vehicle transporting the IM portable tank must verify the following:

25. Procedures for Transporting DOT IM Tanks • After October 1, 2003—Tank outlets are properly fitted with the required shutdown valves and devices installed in series so that the flow of product can be shutdown remotely, or automatically if exposed to fire. • The unloading area must not be accessible to the public.

26. Time to See If You Got the Key Points of This Module… • Complete the Review on page 14. • See if you are ready for the Certification Exam by checking off the performance criteria on page 16.