Cargo Tank Testing and Inspection Workshop Training Requirements

There are two main requirements to act as a cargo tank facility: registration and using individuals that have the necessary qualifications. Registration can be either personal, for an individual acting under self- employment, or by company, for a facility/company that will employ one or more inspectors or design certifying engineers. In addition to registration, inspectors must meet minimum qualifications and be familiar with the type of DOT-specification cargo tanks they will work on. This document will guide you through the basics to file a registration as a cargo tank repair/inspection facility and to ensure that you have properly trained your employees.

 

Each type of DOT-Specification cargo tank has different requirements and this document cannot cover them individually. Individuals interested in learning about the specific requirements for specific equipment will require individualized training. This training is available from many sources, but most easily at the NTTC Cargo Tank Maintenance Workshops. Schedules and sign up information for the NTTC Cargo Tank Maintenance Workshops are available online at http://www.tanktruck.org.

 

Registration (49 C.F.R. 107.501—107.504)

 

Before performing work as a cargo tank facility, you must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). By registering you certify that your facility meets certain standards (see below). Once you receive a registration from FMCSA, you must keep a current copy at your facility or facilities at all times. You must reregister according to the following:

  • If you receive a new ASME or National Board Certification, you must reregister within 30 days of receiving the new certificate.
  • Otherwise, your registration is valid for six years.

To register, put together a packet with the information listed below and mail it the following address: FMCSA Hazardous Materials Division – MC-ECH

West Building, MC-ECH

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590

 

Your registration packet must include the following information:

  • Company/Facility Name
  • Street Address, Mailing Address, & Telephone Number for each facility/location to be registered

  • A statement about whether the company performs mobile testing or inspections, such as: “[NAME OF FACILITY] DOES / DOES NOT [CIRCLE ONE] use mobile testing equipment to perform inspections, tests, or repairs at any location not listed on this application.”
  • The statement below, certifying your compliance. Signing this statement makes you or the company legally responsible for following all cargo tank inspection, repair, etc. regulations.

    “I certify that all Registered Inspectors and Design Certifying Engineers used in performance of the prescribed functions meet the minimum qualification requirements set forth in 49 C.F.R. 171.8, that I am the person responsible for ensuring compliance with the applicable requirements of this chapter, and that I have knowledge of the requirements applicable to the functions to be performed.”

  • Description of the specific functions to be performed on cargo tanks, including:
    • Manufacture;
    • Assembly;
    • Certification;
    • Inspection & Testing (including type: external visual, hydrostatic pressure, etc.);
    • Repair; or
    • Equipment Manufacture
  • List the types of DOT specification and special permit cargo tanks that your company will work with
  • One of the following:
    • The statement “I employee Registered Inspectors or Design Certifying Engineers to conduct certification, inspection, or testing functions addressed by Subpart F.” or
    • A listing of the name, address, and registration number of Registered Inspectors or Design Certifying Engineers that work at the facility as independent contractors.
  • The name and address of a U.S. permanent resident agent for service of process (Non-U.S. company/resident registrations only)
  • A copy of your current ASME Certificate of

    Authorization for the Use of the ASME “U” stamp; and

  • A copy of the facility’s current National Board

    Certificate of Authorization for using the “R” stamp.

    (Repair facilities with “R” stamp authorization only)

     

    You must mail a registration update within 30 days if any of the following occurs:

  • Any of the information above changes;
  • The person responsible for legal compliance with the registration changes;
  • Loss of ASME or National Board Certificate or Authorization; or
  • You expand the functions that you will perform.

     

    Minimum Qualifications for Cargo Tank Inspectors & Testers (49 C.F.R. 180.409)

     

    Before performing inspections and tests on cargo tanks, an individual must meet the following three qualifications:

  • They are registered with FMCSA as an inspector or design certifying engineer or working for a registered facility (see above);

  • They are familiar with DOT-specification cargo tanks and trained and experienced in the use of necessary inspection and testing equipment; and
  • They have the experience necessary to meet the definition of a Registered Inspector (see below)

     

    Exceptions:

  • For cargo tanks with a capacity under 3,500 gallons used for transporting flammable liquid petroleum fuels ONLY: An inspector does not have to meet the education and years of experience requirement when performing the annual external visual and leakage tests.
  • For motor carriers that are registered: Employees that are not Registered Inspectors may perform the hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure tests provided that the employee is trained and experienced in the use of the testing equipment, the employer submits a certification of the individual’s qualifications to the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials of the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the employer retains a copy of the individual’s certification on all tests performed by that individual.

 

Registered Inspectors v. Design Qualified Engineers (49 C.F.R. 171.8)

 

Design Certifying Engineer means a person registered with the Department in accordance with subpart F of part 107 of this chapter who has the knowledge and ability to perform stress analysis of pressure vessels and otherwise determine whether a cargo tank design and construction meets the applicable DOT specification. A Design Certifying Engineer meets the knowledge and ability requirements of this section by meeting any one of the following requirements:

  1. Has an engineering degree and one year of work experience in cargo tank structural or mechanical design;

     

  2. Is currently registered as a professional engineer by appropriate authority of a state of the United States or a province of Canada; or

     

  3. Has at least three years' experience in performing the duties of a Design Certifying Engineer prior to September 1, 1991.

 

Registered Inspector means a person registered with the Department in accordance with subpart F of part 107 of this chapter who has the knowledge and ability to determine whether a cargo tank conforms to the applicable DOT specification. A Registered Inspector meets the knowledge and ability requirements of this section by meeting any one of the following requirements:

  1. Has an engineering degree and one year of work experience relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks;

     

  2. Has an associate degree in engineering and two years of work experience relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks;

     

  3. Has a high school diploma (or General Equivalency Diploma) and three years of work experience relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks; or

     

  4. Has at least three years' experience performing the duties of a Registered Inspector prior to September 1, 1991.
Training Requirements
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