[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

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

[CITE: 49CFR229.31]



[Page 389-390]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 229_RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

                     Subpart B_Inspections and Tests

 

Sec. 229.31  Main reservoir tests.



    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, before it 

is put in service and at intervals that do not exceed 736 calendar days, 

each main reservoir other than an aluminum reservoir shall be subjected 

to a hydrostatic pressure of at least 25 percent more than the maximum 

working pressure fixed by the chief mechanical officer. The test date, 

place, and pressure shall be recorded on Form FRA F 6180-49A, and the 

person performing the test and that person's supervisor shall sign the 

form.

    (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, each main 

reservoir other than an aluminum reservoir shall be hammer tested over 

its entire surface while the reservoir is empty at intervals that do not 

exceed 736 calendar days. The test date and place shall be recorded on 

Form FRA F 6180-49A, and the person performing the test and that 

person's supervisor shall sign the form.

    (c) Each welded main reservoir originally constructed to withstand 

at least five times the maximum working pressure fixed by the chief 

mechanical officer may be drilled over its entire surface with telltale 

holes that are three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The holes shall 

be spaced not more than 12 inches apart, measured both longitudinally 

and circumferentially, and drilled from the outer surface to an extreme 

depth determined by the formula--



D=(.6PR/(S-0.6P))



where:

D=extreme depth of telltale holes in inches but in no case less than 

one-sixteenth inch;

P=certified working pressure in pounds per square inch;

S=one-fifth of the minimum specified tensile strength of the material in 

pounds per square inch; and

R=inside radius of the reservoir in inches.





One row of holes shall be drilled lengthwise of the reservoir on a line



[[Page 390]]



intersecting the drain opening. A reservoir so drilled does not have to 

meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, except 

the requirement for a hydrostatic test before it is placed in use. 

Whenever any such telltale hole shall have penetrated the interior of 

any reservoir, the reservoir shall be permanently withdrawn from 

service. A reservoir now in use may be drilled in lieu of the tests 

provided for by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, but it shall 

receive a hydrostatic test before it is returned to use.

    (d) Each aluminum main reservoir before being placed in use and at 

intervals that do not exceed 736 calendar days thereafter, shall be--

    (1) Cleaned and given a thorough visual inspection of all internal 

and external surfaces for evidence of defects or deterioration; and

    (2) Subjected to a hydrostatic pressure at least twice the maximum 

working pressure fixed by the chief mechanical officer, but not less 

than 250 p.s.i. The test date, place, and pressure shall be recorded on 

Form FRA F 6180-49A, and the person conducting the test and that 

person's supervisor shall sign the form.