8 CCR 1202-5-9 - SYSTEMS MOUNTED ON TRUCKS, SEMI-TRAILERS, AND TRAILERS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF AMMONIA

This Section applies specifically to systems mounted on trucks, semi-trailers and trailers (other than those covered under Sections 10 and 11) used for the transportation of ammonia. All General Rules of Section 2 apply to this Section 9 unless otherwise noted.

9.1. Design Pressure of Containers

9.1.1. Containers shall be constructed in accordance with Rule 3.1 with a minimum design pressure of 250 psig.

9.1.2. The shell or head thickness of any container shall not be less than 3/16 inch.

9.1.3. All container openings, except safety relief valves, liquid level gauging devices and pressure gauges, shall be labeled to designate whether they communicate with liquid or vapor space. Labels may be on valves.

9.1.4. Baffles are not required for cargo tanks.

9.2. Mounting Containers on Truck

9.2.1. The means of attachment of any container to the cradle, frame or chassis of a vehicle shall be designed on a basis of two "g" loading in either direction, using a safety factor of not less than 4, based on the ultimate strength of the material used. For purposes of this requirement, two "g" of load support is equivalent to three times the static weight of the articles supported; two "g" of loading and bending, acceleration, and torsion is equivalent to twice the static weight support applied horizontally at the road surface.

9.2.2. "Hold-down" devices, when used, shall anchor the container to the cradle, frame or chassis in a suitable and safe manner that will not introduce undue concentration of stresses. These devices shall incorporate positive means for drawing the container down tight, and suitable stops or anchors shall be provided to prevent relative movement between container and framing due to stopping, starting or changes in direction.

9.2.3. Vehicles designed and constructed so that the cargo tanks constitute in whole or in part the stress member used in lieu of the frame shall be supported by external cradles suspending at least 120° of the shell circumference. The design calculation shall include beam stress, shear stress, torsion stress, bending moment and acceleration stress, in addition to those covered by the code under which the cargo tank was designed.

9.2.4. If a liquid withdrawal line is installed in the bottom of a container, the connections thereto, including hose, shall not be lower than the lowest horizontal edge of the trailer axle.

9.2.5. Provisions shall be made to secure both ends of the hose while in transit.

9.2.6. When the cradle and the container are not welded together, suitable material shall be used between them to eliminate metal-to-metal friction.

9.3. Container Appurtenances

9.3.1. Non-recessed container fittings and appurtenances shall be protected against physical damage by either:

(1) a protected location,

(2) the vehicle frame or bumper, or

(3) a protective housing. The protective housing, if used, shall comply with the requirements under which the containers are fabricated with respect to design and construction, and shall be designed to withstand static loadings in any direction equal to twice the weight of the container and attachments when filled with the lading using a safety factor of not less than 4, based on the ultimate strength of the material to be used. The protective housing if used shall be protected with a weather cover, if necessary, to ensure proper operation of valves and safety relief devices.

9.3.2. All connections to containers, except filling connections (see 9.3.3), safety relief devices, and liquid level and pressure gauge connections, shall be provided with suitable automatic excess flow valves, or in lieu thereof, may be fitted with quick-closing internal valves, which shall remain closed except during delivery operations. The control mechanism for such valves may be provided with a secondary control remote from the delivery connections and such control mechanism shall be provided with a fusible section (melting point 208ºF to 220ºF) which will permit the internal valve to close automatically in case of fire.

9.3.3. Filling connections shall be provided with automatic back-pressure check valves, excess-flow check valves, or quick-closing internal valves, to prevent back-flow in case the filling connection is broken. Where the filling and discharge connect to a common opening in the container shell and that opening is fitted with a quick-closing internal valve as specified in 9.3.2, the automatic valve shall not be required.

9.3.4. All containers shall be equipped for spray loading (filling in the vapor space) or with an approved vapor return valve of adequate capacity.

9.3.5. All containers shall be equipped with a fixed maximum liquid level gauge.

9.3.6. All containers shall be equipped with a pressure-indicating gauge having a dial graduated from 0-400 psig.

9.4. Piping and Fittings

9.4.1. All piping, tubing and fittings shall be securely mounted and protected against physical damage.

9.4.2. Piping used on non-refrigerated systems shall be at least ASTM A-53 Grade B Electric Resistance Welded and Electric Flash Welded Pipe or equal. Such pipe shall be at least Schedule 40 when joints are welded, or welded and flanged. Such pipe shall be at least Schedule 80 when joints are threaded. Brass, copper, or galvanized steel pipe or tubing shall not be used.

9.4.3. The truck unloading line shall be provided with an excess flow valve at the hose connection unless an approved quick dosing internal valve is provided in the container unloading connection. (See 9.3.2)

9.5. Safety Relief Devices

9.5.1. The discharge from container safety relief valves shall be vented away from the container upward and unobstructed to the open air in such a manner as to prevent any impingement of escaping gas upon the container; loose fitting rain caps shall be used. Size of discharge lines from safety relief valves shall not be smaller than the nominal size of the safety relief valve outlet connection. Suitable provision shall be made for draining condensate which may accumulate in the discharge pipe.

9.6. Marking of Container

9.6.1. Every container, whether loaded or empty, shall be conspicuously and legibly marked on each side and rear thereof on a background of sharply contrasting color with the words "COMPRESSED GAS" in letters at least four inches high; and with the words "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA" in letters at least four inches high.

9.7. Transfer of Liquids

9.7.1. The content of tank motor vehicle containers shall be determined by weight, or suitable metering device.

NOTE: If the content of a container is to be determined by liquid level measurement, the container shall have a thermometer well so that the internal liquid temperature can be easily determined. This volume when converted to weight shall not exceed the filling density.

9.7.2. Pumps or compressors shall be designed and installed in accordance with Rule 6.4 and protected against physical damage when mounted upon ammonia tank trucks and trailers.

9.7.3. Tank motor vehicles of greater than 3500 water gallons capacity shall be unloaded only at approved locations meeting the requirements of Rules 6.2.3 and 6.4.8.

9.8. Trailers and Semi-Trailers

9.8.1. Trailers shall be firmly and securely attached to the vehicle drawing them by means of suitable drawbars, supplemented by suitable safety chain (or chains) or safety cables.

9.8.2. Every trailer and semi-trailer shall be equipped with an emergency braking system to be activated in the event of hitch failure.

9.8.3. Trailers shall be of a type of construction which will prevent the towed vehicle from whipping or swerving dangerously from side to side and which will cause it to follow substantially in the path of the towing vehicle.

9.8.4. Where a fifth wheel is employed on a semi-trailer, it shall be ruggedly designed, securely fastened to both units, and equipped with a positive locking mechanism which will prevent separation of the two units except by manual release.

9.8.5. Every trailer or semi-trailer shall be provided with side lights and a tail light.

9.9. Electrical Equipment and Lighting

9.9.1. Tank trucks, tank trailers, and tank semi-trailers, may not be equipped with any artificial light other than electric light. Electric lighting circuits shall have suitable overcurrent protection (fuses or automatic circuit breakers). The wiring shall have sufficient carrying capacity and mechanical strength, and shall be suitably secured, insulated and protected against physical damage.

9.10. Protection Against Collision

9.10.1. Each tank motor vehicle shall be provided with properly attached bumpers or chassis extensions arranged to protect the tank, piping, valves and fittings from physical damage in case of collision.

9.11. Chock Blocks

9.11.1. At least two chock blocks shall be provided. These blocks shall be placed to prevent rolling of the vehicle whenever it is parked during loading and unloading operations.

9.12. Portable Tanks (Including Skid Tanks)

9.12.1. When portable tanks are used in lieu of cargo tanks and are permanently mounted on tank motor vehicles for the transportation of ammonia, they shall comply with the requirements of Section 9. Where portable tanks, including those built to DOT Specification 51, 106A or 110A, are used for farm storage they shall comply with Section 7. When portable tanks are used as shipping containers in interstate commerce they shall comply with Section 8.

9.13. Safety Equipment

9.13.1. All tank trucks, trailers, and semitrailers shall be equipped with the following:

9.13.1.1. One full face gas mask with anhydrous ammonia refill canisters.

9.13.1.2. One pair of protective gloves made of rubber or other material impervious to ammonia.

9.13.1.3. Tight-fitting goggles or one full face shield.

9.13.1.4. A container of not less than five gallons of readily available clean water.

*An ammonia canister is effective for short periods of time in light concentrations of ammonia vapor, generally 15 minutes in concentrations of 3% and will not protect breathing in heavier concentrations. If ammonia vapors are detected when mask is applied the concentration is too high for safety. The life of a canister in service is controlled by the percentage of vapors to which it is exposed. Canisters must not be opened until ready for use and should be discarded after use. Unopened canisters may be guaranteed for as long as three years. All should be dated when received because of this limited life. In addition to this protection, an independently supplied air mask of the type used by fire departments may be used for severe emergencies.

Notes

8 CCR 1202-5-9

38 CR 23, December 10, 2015, effective 12/30/2015 43 CR 22, November 25, 2020, effective 12/15/2020