SURFACE (RAIL AND HIGHWAY) REQUIREMENTS

 

SUMMARY OF RAIL REGULATIONS

 

A summary of federal transportation regulations for the loading and securement of hazardous material cargoes for rail transportation follows:

 

49 CFR Part 174, Carriage by Rail Highlights

 

Åò174.55 General requirements. (a) Each package containing a hazardous material being transported by rail in a freight container or transport vehicle must be loaded so that it cannot fall or slide and must be safeguarded in such a manner that other freight cannot fall onto or slide into it under conditions normally incident to transportation. When this protection cannot be provided by using other freight, it must be provided by blocking and bracing. For examples of blocking and bracing in freight containers and transport vehicles, see Bureau of Explosives Pamphlet Nos. 6 and 6C. Must be loaded, blocked and braced. Each hazmat package must be loaded so that it cannot fall or slide and must be safeguarded so other freight cannot fall or slide into it.

 

(b) Each package containing a hazardous material bearing package orientation markings prescribed in Sec. 172.312 of this subchapter must be loaded within a transport vehicle or freight container to remain in the correct position indicated by those markings during transportation. Comply with orientation markings when securing packages.

 

(c) The doors of a freight container or transport vehicle may not be used to secure a load that includes a package containing a hazardous material unless the doors meet the design strength requirements of Specification M-930 (for freight containers) and M-931 (for trailers) in the AAR’s specification for “Specially Equipped Freight Car and Intermodal Equipment” (incorporated by reference see 171.7 of this subchapter) and the load is also within the limits of the design strength requirements for the doors.

 

Åò174.61 Transport vehicles and freight containers on flatcars. (a) A transport vehicle, freight container, or package containing a hazardous material must be designed and loaded so that it will not become damaged to an extent that would affect its integrity under conditions normally incident to transportation. Each unit must be secured on a flatcar so that it cannot permanently change position during transit. Packages of hazardous materials contained therein must be loaded and braced as provided by ÅòÅò174.101, 174.112, 174.115 and 174.55. Placards must be applied when prescribed by Part 172 of this subchapter and Part 174. Cargo Transport Units must be adequate. TOFC or COFC must be adequately secured on flat car.

 

Åò174.63 Portable tanks, IM portable tanks, intermediate bulk containers, cargo tanks, and multi-unit tank car tanks. (a) A carrier may not transport a bulk packaging (e.g., portable tank, IM portable tank, intermediate bulk container, large packaging, cargo tank, or multi-unit tank car tank) containing a hazardous material in container-on-flatcar (COFC) or trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) service except as authorized by this section or unless approved for transportation by the Associate Administrator for Safety, FRA. Applies to bulk packages that can be loaded into freight containers and transport vehicles. Requires FRA approval if the conditions of 174.63 (b) or (c) cannot be met.

 

(b) A bulk packaging containing a hazardous material (including IM 101 and IM 102 when appropriate according to dimensions and weight distribution) may be transported in a fully closed transport vehicle or fully closed freight container provided it is properly secured with a restraint system that will prevent it from changing position, sliding into other packages, or contacting the side or end walls (including doors) under conditions normally incident to transportation.

 

(c) When not transported in conformance with and subject to paragraph (b) of this section, a bulk packaging may be

transported in COFC service or TOFC service subject to the following conditions as applicable: (1) The bulk packaging contains a material packaged in accordance with ÅòÅò173.240, 173.241, 173.242, or 173.243 of this subchapter; (2) The tank and flatcar conform to requirements in AAR 600 of the AAR Specifications for Tank Cars, entitled “Specification for Acceptability of Tank Containers”; (3) For TOFC Service, the trailer chassis conforms to requirements in paragraphs 3, 4, 5, and 6 of AAR Specification M-943 “Container Chassis For TOFC Service” of the AAR specification for “Specially Equipped Freight Car and Intermodal Equipment”; (4) For COFC service,

the container support and securement systems conform to requirements in Specification M-952 “Intermodal Container Support and Securement for Freight Cars”, of the AAR specification for “Specially Equipped Freight and Intermodal Equipment”; (5) If transported in a well car- (i) The tank is not in a double-stacked configuration (i.e., no freight container or portable tank is placed above or below the tank); and (ii) The tank is transported in the well with its outlet valve facing outward towards the end of the well and away from any adjacent tank or container; and (6) All securement fittings shall be fully engaged and in the locked position, provided; however, if the tank is transported in a well car, it must be loaded into a well appropriate for the length of the container and any void filling device present must be secured in its designed appropriate position.

 

(d) An approval in effect on February 28, 1991 for the transportation of portable tanks or IM portable tanks in TOFC or COFC service expires on the date stated in the approval letter or June 15, 1995, whichever is later.

 

SUMMARY OF HIGHWAY REGULATIONS

 

A summary of federal transportation regulations for the loading and securement of hazardous material cargoes for highway transportation follows:

 

49 CFR Part 177, Carriage by Public Highway Highlights

 

Åò177.804 Compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Motor carriers and other persons subject to this part shall comply with 49 CFR parts 383, and 390 through 397 (excluding Åò397.3 and 397.9) to the extent those regulations apply. Compliance with 49 CFR 383 and 390-397 are required.

 

Åò177.834 General requirements. (a) Packages secured in a vehicle. Any package containing any hazardous material, not permanently attached to a motor vehicle, must be secured against shifting, including relative motion between packages, within the vehicle on which it is being transported, under conditions normally incident to transportation. Packages having valves or other fittings must be loaded in a manner to minimize the likelihood of damage during transportation. Packages of hazardous materials must be secured against movement and package valves and fittings must be protected.