Interpretation Response #15-0066 ([Chesapeake Fire Department] [Mr. Simone J. Gulisano])
Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.
Interpretation Response Details
Response Publish Date:
Company Name: Chesapeake Fire Department
Individual Name: Mr. Simone J. Gulisano
Location State: VA Country: US
View the Interpretation Document
Response text:
April 22, 2015
Mr. Simone J. Gulisano
Division Chief/Fire Marshal
Chesapeake Fire Department
Fire Prevention Division
304 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Ref. No. 15-0066
Dear Mr. Gulisano:
This responds to your April 6, 2015 e-mail request and subsequent telephone conversation with a member of my staff for clarification on the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to requirements of local government agencies. You describe a scenario involving a City of Chesapeake, Virginia business that stores and maintains intermodal tanks containing hazardous materials at a facility on privately owned property in the City without a proper permit. The local business asserts it is not subject to the laws of the City or the Commonwealth of Virginia, since it is already regulated under federal requirements such as the transportation function described in § 171.1(c)(4), storage incidental to movement of a hazardous material. During the telephone conversation, you stated that the local business often stores the intermodal tanks for long periods of time. Specifically, you ask whether a local municipality may apply local zoning codes, fire codes and building codes at a facility where hazardous materials are stored, regardless of the duration of that storage.
The HMR apply to hazardous materials stored incidental to movement. There is no limit on the duration of storage incidental to movement provided the requirements in § 171.1(c)(4) are satisfied. As explained in § 171.1(f), a facility at which functions regulated under the HMR are performed may be subject to applicable laws and regulations of state and local governments. However, a requirement of a state, local, or tribal government that conflicts with requirements in the HMR is preempted, unless otherwise authorized by another Federal statute or the Department of Transportation issues a waiver of preemption. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration makes preemption determinations applicable to specific non-Federal requirements on a case-by-case basis. The procedures for DOT to make administrative determinations of preemption are set forth in subpart C of part 107.
I trust this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Sincerely,
Duane A. Pfund
International Standards Coordinator
Standards and Rulemaking Division
171.1(c)(4), 171.1(f)