3.7.11 student book © 2004 propane education & research councilpage 1 to provide safe and...

3.7.11 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council

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:

1. Load inspection rules for tanks and cargo in transit

2. Procedures for transporting DOT intermodal (IM) portable tanks

3.7.11 Preparing DOT Intermodal (IM) Tanks for Transportation

3.7.11 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 1

Identifying Load Inspection Rules for Tanks and Cargo in Transit

The DOT regulatory reference for load securement inspection is found in 49 CFR § 392.9.

The Driver Must:• Inspect the cargo and the devices used to secure the cargo within the first 50

miles after beginning a trip, and make necessary adjustments.• 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.


Identifying Procedures for Transporting DOT Intermodal (IM) Portable Tanks

• DOT Portable Tanks • DOT 51 portable and intermodal (IM) tanks are built with water

capacities of more than 1,000 pounds

• Tank Structure

Figure 1. DOT/ICC 51 Portable Tank



Tank Openings for Valves

• 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 (Figure 2) Figure 2. Shut-off Devices in Series



Tank Openings for Valves• 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.

3.7.11 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 3 & 4


Mounting and Lifting Hardware

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.



Data Plate Information

Figure 3. DOT/ICC Portable Tank Data Plate

3.7.11 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Page 4 & 5

• Water Capacity and Tare Weight

• Design Pressure

• Design Specific Gravity • The design specific gravity for a DOT 51 portable tank used for propane is 0.510.

• Test Dates • 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


Note:

Check both the DOT and ASME data plates to ensure that both read 250 psig before placing a DOT portable tank into service.



• Required Tank Markings:

– DOT/ICC portable tanks used in the propane industry are those built under DOT 51 specifications

– Shipping name - PROPANE, BUTANE OR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS – Name of the owner or lessee of the tank – Hazard class - FLAMMABLE GAS

Figure 4. Accepted Product Shipping Names



2.1 Re d Ed g eM in im um10 .8 Inc he s

Either This: or This:

This: or This:

+

Figure 5. Flammable Gas Placards



• DOT Intermodal (IM) Portable Tanks

Figure 6. DOT 51 IM Portable TankPicture Courtesy of Texas Trailers Corporation, Gainesville, Texas

Notice polished aluminum sunshield on upper section.



• DOT Intermodal (IM) Portable Tanks

Figure 7. DOT IM Tanks and Ocean-Going Container Ship



• DOT Intermodal (IM) Portable Tanks• Regardless of the cargo restraining devices used, 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. {2.4.11.8} 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 vehicle

• 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).

• 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 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 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.

The DOT regulatory reference for unloading intermodal portable tanks is found in 49 CFR § 177.834 (o).

3.7.11 Student Book © 2004 Propane Education & Research Council Pages 11 - 13

Time to See If You Got the Key Points of This Module…

• Complete the Review on page 11 & 12.

• See if you are ready for the Certification Exam by checking off the performance criteria on page 13.

3.7.11 student book © 2004 propane education & research councilpage 1 to provide safe and...

Documents

dot intermodal im tanks

dot specification tanks

portable tank slide

asme tanks

student book

identifying procedures

proper transporting

dot regulatory reference