Recent inspections conducted by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on DOT specification cargo tank motor vehicles (CTMVs) manufactured within and outside the United States have resulted in discovery of CTMVs that are NOT being properly manufactured, tested, inspected, and/or repaired to ensure the CTMVs’ structural integrity. Many of the cargo tanks in question reportedly are in crude oil service.
FMCSA discovered significant deficiencies on CTMVs certified as meeting the DOT Specifications that have recently been manufactured, tested, inspected, or repaired by entities registered with FMCSA to perform these functions on cargo tanks. Similar issues have been discovered on CTMVs manufactured under the terms of an exemption.
Due to the extent of these issues, FMCSA is issuing this Safety Notice to remind the regulated industries of the federal standards CTMVs must meet to qualify as a DOT Specification package.
The deficient CTMVs that were examined and inspected by FMCSA are used to transport various types of hazardous materials; however, the most prevalent deficiencies have been found on DOT 407 Specification CTMVs that are primarily used to transport placarded amounts of Petroleum Crude Oil, UN 1267.
FMCSA discovered DOT407 Specification CTMVs that are operating with inadequate:
• venting,
• rollover protection,
• marking and specification plates, and
• emergency remote shut-off devices.
In addition, some CTMVs may have been used to transport products that exceed the maximum lading density and/or the maximum load identified on the CTMVs’ specification plates. The maximum lading density information on the specification plate provides the motor carrier and the offeror with critical information to ensure the structural integrity of the CTMV is not compromised. Owners of CTMVs that transport hazardous materials MUST ensure that their CTMVs are not used to transport product(s) with densities greater than what is marked on the CTMVs’ specification plate.
DOT specification CTMVs with these types of deficiencies do not meet the DOT specification and are not authorized for use as DOT specification CTMVs, according to FMCSA officials.
Owners of CTMVs that transport hazardous materials, cargo tank manufacturers, and cargo tank test, inspection and repair facilities share the responsibility to ensure DOT specification CTMVs are in compliance with the hazardous material regulations. FMCSA will consider enforcement action where appropriate to ensure safety.
Those with questions regarding this safety notice should contact the FMCSA Hazardous Materials Division at 202-385-2400.