[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR180.352]

[Page 1086-1088]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
 CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 180_CONTINUING QUALIFICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PACKAGINGS--Table of 
Contents
 
             Subpart D_Qualification and Maintenance of IBCs
 
Sec. 180.352  Requirements for retest and inspection of IBCs.

    (a) General. Each IBC constructed in accordance with a UN standard 
for which a test or inspection specified in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2) 
and (b)(3) of this section is required may not be filled and offered for 
transportation or transported until the test or inspection has been 
successfully completed. This paragraph does not apply to any IBC filled 
prior to the test or inspection due date. The requirements in this 
section do not apply to DOT 56 and 57 portable tanks.
    (b) Test and inspections for metal, rigid plastic, and composite 
IBCs. Each IBC is subject to the following test and inspections:
    (1) Each IBC intended to contain solids that are loaded or 
discharged under pressure or intended to contain liquids must be tested 
in accordance with the leakproofness test prescribed in Sec. 178.813 of 
this subchapter every 2.5

[[Page 1087]]

years, starting from the date of manufacture or the date of a repair 
conforming to paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (2) An external visual inspection must be conducted initially after 
production and every 2.5 years starting from the date of manufacture or 
the date of a repair conforming to paragraph (d)(1) of this section to 
ensure that:
    (i) The IBC is marked in accordance with requirements in Sec. 
178.703 of this subchapter. Missing or damaged markings, or markings 
difficult to read must be restored or returned to original condition.
    (ii) Service equipment is fully functional and free from damage 
which may cause failure. Missing, broken, or damaged parts must be 
repaired or replaced.
    (iii) The IBC is capable of withstanding the applicable design 
qualification tests. The IBC must be externally inspected for cracks, 
warpage, corrosion or any other damage which might render the IBC unsafe 
for transportation. An IBC found with such defects must be removed from 
service or repaired in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. 
The inner receptacle of a composite IBC must be removed from the outer 
IBC body for inspection unless the inner receptacle is bonded to the 
outer body or unless the outer body is constructed in such a way (e.g., 
a welded or riveted cage) that removal of the inner receptacle is not 
possible without impairing the integrity of the outer body. Defective 
inner receptacles must be replaced in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this section or the entire IBC must be removed from service. For metal 
IBCs, thermal insulation must be removed to the extent necessary for 
proper examination of the IBC body.
    (3) Each metal, rigid plastic and composite IBC must be internally 
inspected at least every five years to ensure that the IBC is free from 
damage and to ensure that the IBC is capable of withstanding the 
applicable design qualification tests.
    (i) The IBC must be internally inspected for cracks, warpage, and 
corrosion or any other defect that might render the IBC unsafe for 
transportation. An IBC found with such defects must be removed from 
hazardous materials service until restored to the original design type 
of the IBC.
    (ii) Metal IBCs must be inspected to ensure the minimum wall 
thickness requirements in Sec. 178.705(c)(1)(iv) of this subchapter are 
met. Metal IBCs not conforming to minimum wall thickness requirements 
must be removed from hazardous materials service.
    (c) Visual inspection for flexible, fiberboard, or wooden IBCs. Each 
IBC must be visually inspected prior to first use and permitted reuse, 
by the person who places hazardous materials in the IBC, to ensure that:
    (1) The IBC is marked in accordance with requirements in Sec. 
178.703 of this subchapter. Additional marking allowed for each design 
type may be present. Required markings that are missing, damaged or 
difficult to read must be restored or returned to original condition.
    (2) Proper construction and design specifications have been met.
    (i) Each flexible IBC must be inspected to ensure that:
    (A) Lifting straps if used, are securely fastened to the IBC in 
accordance with the design type.
    (B) Seams are free from defects in stitching, heat sealing or gluing 
which would render the IBC unsafe for transportation of hazardous 
materials. All stitched seam-ends must be secure.
    (C) Fabric used to construct the IBC is free from cuts, tears and 
punctures. Additionally, fabric must be free from scoring which may 
render the IBC unsafe for transport.
    (ii) Each fiberboard IBC must be inspected to ensure that:
    (A) Fluting or corrugated fiberboard is firmly glued to facings.
    (B) Seams are creased and free from scoring, cuts, and scratches.
    (C) Joints are appropriately overlapped and glued, stitched, taped 
or stapled as prescribed by the design. Where staples are used, the 
joints must be inspected for protruding staple-ends which could puncture 
or abrade the inner liner. All such ends must be protected before the 
IBC is authorized for hazardous materials service.
    (iii) Each wooden IBC must be inspected to ensure that:

[[Page 1088]]

    (A) End joints are secured in the manner prescribed by the design.
    (B) IBC walls are free from defects in wood. Inner protrusions which 
could puncture or abrade the liner must be covered.
    (d) Requirements applicable to repair of IBCs. (1) Except for 
flexible and fiberboard IBCs and the bodies of rigid plastic and 
composite IBCs, damaged IBCs may be repaired and the inner receptacles 
of composite packagings may be replaced and returned to service 
provided:
    (i) The repaired IBC conforms to the original design type, is 
capable of withstanding the applicable design qualification tests, and 
is retested and inspected in accordance with the applicable requirements 
of this section;
    (ii) An IBC intended to contain liquids or solids that are loaded or 
discharged under pressure is subjected to a leakproofness test as 
specified in Sec. 178.813 of this subchapter and is marked with the 
date of the test; and
    (iii) The IBC is subjected to the internal and external inspection 
requirements as specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (iv) The person performing the tests and inspections after the 
repair must durably mark the IBC near the manufacturer's UN design type 
marking to show the following:
    (A) The country in which the tests and inspections were performed;
    (B) The name or authorized symbol of the person performing the tests 
and inspections; and
    (C) The date (month, year) of the tests and inspections.
    (2) Except for flexible and fiberboard IBCs, the structural 
equipment of an IBC may be repaired and returned to service provided:
    (i) The repaired IBC conforms to the original design type and is 
capable of withstanding the applicable design qualification tests; and
    (ii) The IBC is subjected to the internal and external inspection 
requirements as specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (3) Service equipment may be replaced provided:
    (i) The repaired IBC conforms to the original design type and is 
capable of withstanding the applicable design qualification tests;
    (ii) The IBC is subjected to the external visual inspection 
requirements as specified in paragraph (b) of this section; and
    (iii) The proper functioning and leak tightness of the service 
equipment, if applicable, is verified.
    (e) Retest date. The date of the most recent periodic retest must be 
marked as provided in Sec. 178.703(b) of this subchapter.
    (f) Record retention. The owner or lessee of the IBC must keep 
records of periodic retests, initial and periodic inspections, and tests 
performed on the IBC if it has been repaired. Records must include 
design types and packaging specifications, test and inspection dates, 
name and address of test and inspection facilities, names or name of any 
persons conducting tests or inspections, and test or inspection 
specifics and results. Records must be kept for each packaging at each 
location where periodic tests are conducted, until such tests are 
successfully performed again or for at least 2.5 years from the date of 
the last test. These records must be made available for inspection by a 
representative of the Department on request.

[Amdt. 180-5, 59 FR 38079, July 26, 1994, as amended at 64 FR 10782, 
Mar. 5, 1999; 65 FR 58632, Sept. 29, 2000; 66 FR 45186, 45391, Aug. 28, 
2001; 68 FR 45042, July 31, 2003]