Minnesota Administrative Rules

1513.0640 TANK CAR LOADING AND UNLOADING LOCATIONS AND OPERATIONS.

Subpart 1.

Governing law.

Anhydrous ammonia tank cars must be loaded and unloaded only at locations that are permitted under Minnesota Statutes, section 18C.305, and meet the requirements of parts 1513.0040, subpart 3, and 1513.0200, subparts 1 to 9, item B.

Subp. 2.

Level rail track.

Rail track at tank car loading and unloading positions must be essentially level.

Subp. 3.

Brakes; blocks.

Brakes must be set and the wheels blocked in both directions on all tank cars being loaded or unloaded.

Subp. 4.

Caution signs.

Caution signs must be so placed on the track or car to give warning to persons approaching the car from the open end or ends of the siding. The signs must be of metal at least 12 inches high by 15 inches wide in size, and bear the words, "STOP -- TANK CAR CONNECTED," OR "STOP -- MEN AT WORK," the word, "STOP" being in letters at least four inches high. Other words must be in letters at least two inches high. The letters must be white on blue background. A car so protected must not be coupled or moved. The signs must remain in place until the tank car valves have been closed and the transfer lines have been disconnected.

Subp. 5.

Derail.

A standard derail must be properly set and secured in the derailing position between the car being loaded or unloaded and other cars being moved on the same track.

Subp. 6.

Purging of tank car.

A tank car used to transport a commodity other than ammonia must be purged completely of the previous commodity before being loaded with ammonia. Markings and placarding must be changed correspondingly.

Subp. 7.

Visual inspection.

Before connecting loading lines to a tank car and before releasing a tank car to the carrier, a visual inspection, by personnel trained in accordance with part 1513.0040, subpart 1, for obvious defects must be made to determine:

A.

whether the tank car undercarriage, safety appliances (handrails, grab irons, etc.), walk surfaces, ladders, steps, air and hand brake systems, trucks, head shields, and couplers appear to be in a safe condition;

B.

if the tank car tank and pressure relief valve periodic retest dates are current;

C.

if the tank car tank, or jacket if the tank is insulated, shows evidence of abrasion, dents, gouges, severe corrosion, or other damage; and

D.

whether manway bolts and gaskets, external valves, pressure relief valves, gauges, and fittings appear to be in serviceable condition and free of leakage.

Subp. 8.

Leakage.

If leakage occurs at any manway, valve, gauge, gasket, or fitting during loading, the loading must stop and the cause of the leak corrected before loading can be resumed. If necessary to effect leak repairs, the tank car must be emptied and repairs made at the loading terminal or qualified repair facility.

Subp. 9.

Repairs.

A damaged or defective tank car must be forwarded to a carrier repair track or to a qualified repair shop before it is returned to service. Structural repairs to a tank car, including welding repairs on the tank car tank must be performed only at a repair facility authorized by the Association of American Railroads and by a qualified welder following authorized procedures.

Subp. 10.

Private track.

An ammonia tank car must be consigned for delivery and unloaded on a private track. If a private track is unavailable, an ammonia tank car equipped with excess flow valves may be consigned for delivery and unloaded on a carrier track, provided it is unloaded into permanent storage of sufficient capacity to receive the entire contents of the car.

Subp. 11.

Securing tank car.

After loading or unloading a tank car, all valves must be closed and transfer lines disconnected. Caps or plugs on tank car sample valves, liquid valves, vapor valves, and gauging device valves must be replaced and made wrench tight. Slip tube gauging devices must be secured and gauge housings screwed in place. Protective housing covers must be secured, pinned, and proper seals put in place when required. Leaks from any source on a tank car must be stopped before a car may be released to the carrier.

Subp. 12.

Emergency and rescue equipment.

Each tank car loading and unloading location must have on hand as a minimum, for emergency and rescue purposes, all of the equipment specified in part 1513.0040, subpart 3.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 18C.121

History:

21 SR 277

Published Electronically:

September 10, 2007