PHMSA issued a final rule that updates the Hazardous Materials Regulations to include requirements set forth in the FAST Act.
The FAST Act requires a revised phase-out schedule for all DOT-111 tank cars that are used for transporting unrefined petroleum, ethanol, and Class 3 flammable liquids. In addition, all tank cars that have been built according to DOT-117 specifications and all non-jacketed tank cars that have been built to DOT-117R specifications are required to have a thermal blanket no less than 1/2 inch thick and meet existing thermal protection standards. The FAST Act also sets minimum top fittings protection requirements on DOT-117R specification tank cars.
The final rule is effective as of August 15, 2016.
