Special permit expires for FRP tanks built under PHMSA Special Permit 9166
Tank trailers constructed of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) under SP-9166 are no longer allowed to transport hazardous materials, according to a Safety Advisory issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
The special permit applied to FRP cargo tanks built by Comptank Corp. National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) is working with PHMSA to develop a procedure enabling owners of trailers built under SP-9166 to apply for “user party status” on that permit after ensuring that the cargo tanks continue to meet the requirements of the permit under which they were constructed, according to John Conley, NTTC president.
PHMSA's Safety Advisory reminded carriers and shippers that use FRP tank trailers to ensure that the materials they transport are compatible with trailers built under special permit. PHMSA officials note in the Safety Advisory that the FRP tank trailer that failed in December 2009 reportedly was transporting a product — hydrofluoric acid — that was incompatible with the materials used in manufacture of the cargo tank.
While FRP composite trailers have a long and safe history of hauling a variety of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes, they are not included in the Department of Transportation's regulations for specification trailers. Rather, FRP trailers are built under Special Permits granted to the trailer manufacturers. Each Special Permit is different as the respective manufacturing processes are different. Carriers are required to mark their trailers with the Special Permit number and to carry a copy of the Special Permit with the trailer when on the road.
The Safety Advisory also included a list indicating the current and expired status of Special Permits for FRP tank trailer manufacturers:
- 9166 — Comptank Corp — Expired — 12/31/2009
- 10878 — Tankcon FRP — Active — 9/30/2010
- 11565 — CPF Dualam — Active — 3/31/2010
- 11903 — Comptank Corp — Active — 10/31/2010
- 12516 — Poly-Coat Systems — Active — 11/30/2010
- 14275 — Hawk Corp — Active — 12/31/2011
- 14277 — Ascus Technology — Active — 11/30/2012
- 14779 — Corrosion Companies — Active — 11/30/2011