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Interpretation Response #14-0206 ([Port of Tucson] [Mr. Bryan Slagle])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: Port of Tucson

Individual Name: Mr. Bryan Slagle

Location State: AZ Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

Feb 18, 2015

Mr. Bryan Slagle
Port of Tucson
6964 E. Century Park Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85756

Reference No. 14-0206

Dear Mr. Slagle:

This is in response to your October 24, 2014 emails requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) relating to tank car loading and unloading requirements. In your incoming request you note that each section of track at your transloading facility can have multiple tank cars set out in groups to be transloaded by up to five different transload companies that access the designated transload area. You ask if § 173.31(g)(1) requires the separate transload entities mentioned above to be protected from each other by an additional derail, lined and blocked switch, portable bumper block, and or other equivalent security equipment?

The answer to your question is no. In accordance with § 173.31(g)(1) access to the track must be secured during loading and unloading operations, but there is no additional requirement to further isolate tank cars within a transloading facility based on the fact that they are being loaded or unloaded by separate entities.

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

173.31(g)(1)

Regulation Sections

Section Subject
173.31 Use of tank cars