Frequency of Qualification Inspection and Tests
Section 180.509 (*) | Description | Maximum interval |
D | Visual inspection | 10 years. |
E | Structural integrity inspection | 10 years. |
F | Thickness test | See § 180.509(f) . |
H | Safety Systems | 10 years. |
I | Internal coating or lining (for materials corrosive or reactive to the tank) (See definitions at § 180.503 ) | See § 180.509(i) . |
J | Leakage pressure test | After reassembly. |
K | Service equipment (including pressure relief device) | See § 180.509(k) . |
Where:
Allowable Shell Thickness Reductions
Marked tank test pressure | Top shell and tank head | Bottom shell |
60 psig [LESS THAN]200 psig | 3.17 mm 1/8 inch | 1.58 mm. 1/16 inch. |
[GREATER THAN EQUAL TO]200 psig | 0.79 mm 1/32 inch | 0.79 mm. 1/32 inch. |
Note 1. A tank car owner may add an extra 1.58 mm (1/16 inch) to the values in the table for local reductions. Local reductions are those that do not exceed 20.32 linear centimeters (8 linear inches) measured at the longest diameter, and are separated from the other local reductions by at least 40.64 cm (16 inches).
Note 2. Any reduction in the tank car shell thickness may not affect the structural strength of the tank car to the extent that the tank car no longer conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 6.2 of the AAR Specifications for Tank Cars (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter).
Note 3. For DOT 115 class tank cars, shell thickness reductions apply only to the outer shell of the tank car. There is no shell or head thickness reduction authorized for the inner tank.
49 C.F.R. §180.509