Fuel Tanks

Highway tanks and portable tanks for gasoline and diesel

transport under CSA standard B621-98

The CSA standard B621-98 entitled “Selection and Use of Highway Tanks, Portable Tanks, Cargo Compartments, and Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Classes 3,4,5,6.1,8 and 9” was brought into effect by the Clear Language amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations in 2002 and includes the following important changes:

• Effective January 1,2005 all large containers (bulk fuel delivery tanks) used for the transport of gasoline by road will have to meet TC 306 or TC 406 specifications or the equivalent CTC, DOT or MC specifications prescribed in CSA B621-98;
• Effective January 1,2005 all large containers (bulk fuel delivery tanks) not certified to one of the specifications prescribed in CSA B621-98 are no longer permitted in gasoline service;
• Large containers (bulk fuel delivery tanks) used for the transportation of diesel fuel by road will have to meet TC 306 or TC 406 specifications or the equivalent CTC, DOT or MC specifications prescribed in CSA B621-98;
• Large containers (bulk fuel delivery tanks) used for the transport of diesel fuel by road may be a non-specification unit but must meet Specific Requirement #5 of Section 8.4 in CSA B-621-98.  All non specification bulk delivery tanks will no longer be allowed for diesel fuel service after January 1, 2010.
• All the tanks noted above require periodic test and inspection marking as per clause Table 8.1 of CSA B-621-98. The highway tanks must be taken to a registered Transport Canada facility for inspections.  For information on registered tank Inspection facilities in your area, please visit the TDG website at:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/info/moc/tankform_e.html and look under TC 306.

The tests required on single axle and tandem bulk fuel delivery tanks are as follows:

• Visual test – yearly
• Leakage test – yearly
• Pressure test – every five years
• Internal test – every five years

Also refer to Table 8.2 for any additional tests that may be required.

Can a non-specification highway tank be certified to meet the specification requirements?

It may be possible to certify a tank to a specification prescribed in CSA B621-98. Currently, all tanks must be built to a TC 406 standard or, if non specification, brought up to the TC 406 standard.  Non specification tanks are no longer allowed to be brought to a TC 306 standard.

The manufacturing requirements for TC 406 tanks used for gasoline and diesel service are detailed in CSA standard B620-98 entitled “Highway Tanks and Portable Tanks for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods”.  The selection and use requirements for highway and portable tanks are detailed in CSA B621-98.  These standards may be purchased from the Canadian Standards Association, 1-800-463-6727.

If you need more information, please contact Saskatoon regional office at (306) 975-5105 or Kevin Green, Superintendent, Highway Tanks at (613) 988-5270.

05-06-30

Diesel Fuel in Non-Specifications

Slip Tanks – Permit Expiring

By Zenon Lewycky

The Permit for Equivalent Level of Safety that granted an extension allowing use of non-specification tanks for transporting diesel, heating oil and Jet A fuel, by road is expiring on January 1,2005.  Most tanks affected are the so-called ‘slip tanks’ mounted on pickup trucks or small trailers.

After January 1,2005, all tanks of over 450L capacity, in use for transportation of these substances by road, must be in conformity with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Non-specification tanks may still be used until 2010, but only if they are qualified to Specific Requirement 5(b) of Standard CAN/CSA-B621-98.

To qualify under SR 5(b), the tank must be brought for inspection to a facility registered by Transport Canada for inspecting TC306 or TC406 tanks.  The facility will perform a visual inspection as well as a leak and pressure test at 21 kPA (3psi). If the results are satisfactory, the facility will attach a “non-specification flammable liquids tank” nameplate for identification.  Non-specification tanks under SR 5(b) must also be periodically inspected following application of the non-specification nameplate.  The periodic inspection includes an annual visual inspection and leak test at a Transport Canada registered facility.  Tanks that are beyond their due date for inspection may not be refilled.

Slip tanks complying with ULC/ORD C142.13, manufactured before 2003, may be used until 2010 and they do not need the non-specification nameplate described above.  They are, however, required to undergo the periodic inspection and tests for “mobile IBC’s” as prescribed under standard CAN/CGSB 43.146-2002.  This includes internal and external visual inspection every 60 months.  The 60-month period is counted from the date of manufacture or subsequent inspection.

Any slip tank built after January 1,2003 must be a UN Standard Mobile IBC, as prescribed by the CAN/CGSB 43.146-2002 standard, if it is to be used for transport of flammable liquids.

Refer to the summary table on the next page for details on the various containers that are permitted for use din transport of gasoline and diesel fuel.  For information on the registered tank inspection facilities in your area, please visit the TDG Web site at:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/containers/menu.html

Din transportation of gasoline and diesel fuel

{ [1] } And other flammable liquids in Packing Group III, no subsidiary classification, and with a flash point of 37.8°C or higher.

{ [2] } The leaks and pressure tests will be performed as if the tank is a TC306 under CAN/CSA B620-98, as authorized under Permit SH6216.