PHMSA proposes E-85 placarding
Sep 25, 2006 11:49 AM
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing amendments to hazmat regulations to address proper shipping name and United Nation identification number for fuel mixtures composed of ethanol and gasoline, according to information published in the Federal Register.
The issue arose with some fire and safety officials about placarding E-85 (85 percent ethanol mixed with 15 percent gasoline), and how to battle a fire should an incident occur with the product, according to the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA). Responders have voiced concern about the types of foam used in battling certain product fires, including those involving ethanol, an alcohol-based product.
"We understand that if we adopt this new shipping description, fuel suppliers and cargo tank operators may incur additional costs associate with revisions to the hazard communication requirements," PHMSA said in the publication. "Therefore, we are interested in identifying measures to minimize costs while effectively communicating the hazards to the emergency response community." PHMSA said that if the proposal is adopted, a two-year transition period would be included.
PHMSA issued a safety alert April 26, 2006, to the emergency responder community to provide it with guidance on appropriate procedures for responding to incidents involving fuel mixtures composed of ethanol. In addition, PHMSA is providing hazmat emergency preparedness grants to emergency responders for planning and training that includes training for responses to incidents involving gasoline and ethanol mixtures. PHMSA is also partnering with the Renewable Fuel Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs to revise existing safety training materials for emergency response personnel to include guidance for responding to incidents involving gasoline and ethanol fuel mixtures.
For more information, click here for the Federal Register.
