8029 PHLOX ST.

DOWNEY, CA. 90241

1-800-421-7545

sales@thompsontank.com

GENERAL INSPECTION INFORMATION FOR THE OWNER

DOCUMENTATION - DOT REQUIRES THE OWNER TO HAVE COPIES IN HIS FILES.  ALTHOUGH DOT DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY REQUIRE THE INSPECTOR TO HAVE THE DOCUMENTS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PERFORM COMPLETE AND ACCURATE INSPECTIONS AND RETESTS WITHOUT THEM.

V - EXTERNAL VISUAL - 

1. THE UPPER COUPLER SHOULD BE MARKED INSIDE TO VERIFY EACH TIME IT WAS REMOVED FOR INSPECTION.

2. ALL GRADE 8 BOLTS

T - THICKNESS TEST - REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

1. OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS, DOT/ASME

2. DEVICE CERTIFICATION - MUST MEASURE MATERIAL THICKNESS ACCURATELY TO ± 0.002 INCHES

3. RECORD, IDENTIFY AND LOCATE ALL POINTS AS REQUIRED IN 180.407 (i) (4) ITEMS (I) THROUGH (X).  MINIMUM THICKNESS OF SHELL, HEADS, ETC. - MUST BE DETERMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR A QUALIFIED DESIGN CERTIFYING ENGINEER, REGISTERED WITH DOT, 178.345-14 (11) (12) NOT THE INSPECTOR.

4. 180.407 (i) (5) " IN SERVICE MINIMUM THICKNESS" FOR MC-307/312 VACUUM LOADED CARGO TANKS ARE BASED ON 90 PERCENT OF THE MANUFACTURED THICKNESS, LESS CORROSION ALLOWANCE.

CAUTION - DO NOT ACCEPT THICKNESS TEST RESULTS WITHOUT CERTIFICATES THAT VERIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OPERATOR AND THE DEVICE, INCLUDED IN THE DOCUMENTATION. EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THICKNESS TEST RESULTS FURNISHED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION THAT VERIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OPERATOR AND THE DEVICE ARE, IN MANY CASES, INACCURATE. SOME CARGO TANKS HAVE INCREASED IN THICKNESS WHILE OTHERS ARE REMOVED FROM SERVICE BECAUSE OF INCOMPETENT OPERATORS OR FAULTY DEVICES.

P - PRESSURE TEST - THE HYDROSTATIC TEST @ 1.5 x MAWP IS NOT A LEAK TEST.  IT IS A TEST TO DETERMINE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.  FAILURE IS INDICATED BY LEAKS, DISTORTION, PERMANENT EXPANSION, BULGING, ETC.

L - LINING INSPECTION - CAUTION

1. SPARK TESTING IMPROPERLY PERFORMED CAN DAMAGE THE LINING.

2. WALKING ON AGED, HARD OR BRITTLE LINING CAN DAMAGE THE LINING AND CAUSE A FAILURE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

NOTE: DOT ENFORCEMENT FINES AND SANCTIONS THE OWNER AND THE MANUFACTURER, NOT THE INSPECTOR.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER OR A THIRD PARTY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, REGISTERED WITH DOT AS A DESIGN CERTIFYING ENGINEER, AND OBTAIN PROOF OF COMPLIANCE ON ANY COMPONENT OR DESIGN IN QUESTION AS REQUIRED BY DOT 178.320-(b)-(2). (SEE DESIGN CHECK OFF LIST)

NOTE: REFERENCES FOR A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER CAN BE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST.

178.345 STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY - THE MANUFACTURER IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN PROOF OF COMPLIANCE USING ACCURATE METHODS AND INCLUDING VERIFICATIONS OF THE RESULTS AS PER DOT 178.320.

COMPLAINTS CAN BE SENT TO:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

F.M.C.S.A.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DIVISION

400 7^TH STREET S.W.

WASHINGTON , DC 20040

Send mail to jrthompson@thompsontank.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004 Thompson Tank Inc.
Last modified: October 13, 2005