[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 2]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR180.352]



[Page 1100-1102]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY 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 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



[[Page 1101]]



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:

    (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:



[[Page 1102]]



    (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 manfacturer'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.

    (v) Retests and inspections performed in accordance with paragraphs 

(d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section may be used to satisfy the 

requirements for the 2.5 and five year periodic tests and inspections 

required by paragraph (b) of this section, as applicable.

    (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) Requirements applicable to routine maintenance of IBCs. Except 

for routine maintenance of metal, rigid plastics and composite IBCs 

performed by the owner of the IBC, whose State and name or authorized 

symbol is durably marked on the IBC, the party performing the routine 

maintenance shall durably mark the IBC near the manufacturer's UN design 

type marking to show the following:

    (1) The country in which the routine maintenance was carried out; 

and

    (2) The name or authorized symbol of the party performing the 

routine maintenance.

    (f) Retest date. The date of the most recent periodic retest must be 

marked as provided in Sec. 178.703(b) of this subchapter.

    (g) Record retention. The owner or lessee of the IBC must keep 

records of periodic retests, initial and periodic inspections, and test 

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 at least 2.5 years from the date of the 

last test. The owner or lessee must make these records 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; 69 FR 76186, Dec. 20, 2004; 70 FR 

34399, June 14, 2005; 70 FR 56099, Sept. 23, 2005]