Non-Pressure Tank Cars

1. Non-Pressure Tank Cars Fort Bend County Hazardous Regional hazardous Materials Response Team

2. Tank Car Emergency Response • Overview • While problems with tank cars occur infrequently, response personnel are called upon to handle those few problems. When faced with a tank problem,the responder’s ability to communicate an accurate and detailed description of the contents, condition of the tank, and other circumstances is extremely important.

3. Non-Pressure Tank Cars • Transport hazardous and non-hazardous materials with vapor pressures below 25 psig at 105-115F • Tank pressures are 60 to 100 psi • Capacities range from 4,000 to 45, 000 gallons

4. Tank Car Appearance • Cylindrical with rounded ends • At least one manway for access to the tank’s interior • Fittings for loading/unloading, pressure and/or vacuum relief, gauging, and other purposes are visible at the top and/or bottom of the car

5. Tank Car Structure • Body Bolster • Cradles the tank • Continuous underframe • Absorbs the draft and buff forces of train movement • Stub Sill • Attaches the the tank to its trucks • Truck • Consists of wheels, axles, side frames springs, truck bolster, center bowl and pin.

6. Side and End Identification Nomenclature • Tank divided into quadrants • The “B” end of the car is the end with the hand brake • All nomenclature is based on facing the “B” end of the car • Truck wheels designated along left and right side

7. Commodities • Class 3 (flammables) • Class 4 (flammable solids/reactive liquids and solids) • Class 5 (oxidizers/organic peroxides) • Class 6 (poisons and irritants) • Class 8 (corrosives)

8. Tank Car Markings • Overview • Knowledge of the tank and its contents will help you size up the problem and plan a response. These markings may be difficult to read from a distance, but aided vision may allow you to read the markings, including: • Initials (reporting marks) and number • Capacity stencil • Specification marking

9. Reporting Marks and Number • Unique set of initials • The initials and numbers are stencilled on both sides (to the left when facing the car) and both ends (upper center) of the tank car • Useful getting information about car’s contents from shipper.

10. Capacity Stencil • Shows the volume of the tank car in gallons or pounds. • Stencilled on both ends of the car under the car’s initials and number • The term “load limit” may be used to mean the same thing as capacity

11. Specification Marking Components • Approving Authority • Class Number • Delimiter letter • Tank Test Pressure • Material Construction • Weld Construction • Other Features • Additional Information

15. General Service Manway Safety relief valve Mailbox Liquid line Vapor line Vacuum breaker Bottom valve or top operated bottom valve Acid Car Manway Liquid line Vapor line Vent with frangible disk Specific Characteristics

16. Potential location of Leaks • Overview • Most tank car problems are associated with their fittings. Quite often, tightening a valve or a fitting with readily available hand tools can stop these releases.

17. Basic Methods for Stopping Releases • If it’s open, close it (clockwise to close) • If it’s loose, tighten it (clockwise to tighten) • If a component is missing (but near by), replace it • If a pressure relief valve activates, don’t try to tighten it, or cover it, initiate emergency procedures • If not trained as a tank car specialist, seek assistance, initiate emergency procedures

21. Tank Damage Assessment • Cracks • Scores and Gouges • Wheel burns • Dents • Rail burns • Puncture • Flame impingement • Corrosion

22. Thank You