Section 215.110  Systems Mounted on Farm Wagons (Nurse Tanks) for the Transportation of Anhydrous Ammonia

a)         This Section applies to containers of 3,000 gallons water capacity or less and related equipment mounted on farm wagons (implements of husbandry) that are used for the transportation of ammonia.  Section 215.25 applies to this Section unless otherwise noted.

b)         Containers shall be constructed in accordance with Section 215.25.  The shell or head thickness of any container shall not be less than ³/₁₆ of an inch.  All containers over 500 gallons capacity should be equipped with semi-rigid baffle plates.

c)         A suitable "stop" or "stops" shall be mounted on the farm wagon or on the container in such a way that the container shall not be dislodged from its mounting due to the farm wagon coming to a sudden stop.  Back slippage shall also be prevented by proper methods.

d)         A suitable "hold-down" device shall be provided that will anchor the container to the farm wagon at one or more places on each side of the container.

e)         When dual containers are mounted on four-wheel farm wagons the weight shall be distributed evenly over both axles.  Dual containers mounted on the same running gear must be of the same capacity.

f)          When the cradle and the container are not welded together, suitable material shall be used between them to reduce abrasion. 

g)         All containers shall be equipped with a fixed maximum liquid level gauge.

h)         All containers shall be equipped with a pressure gauge having a dial graduated from 0 psi to 400 psi.

i)          The filling connection of each container shall comply with the requirements of Section 215.40(k).

j)          All containers shall be equipped with an approved vapor-equalizing valve unless equipped for spray loading. 

k)         All vapor and liquid connections, except pressure relief valves and those specifically exempt in Section 215.40(e) and (f) shall be equipped with approved excess flow valves or may be fitted with quick-closing internal valves that shall remain closed except during operating periods.

l)          Fittings shall be protected from physical damage by means of a rigid guard designed to withstand static loading in any direction equal to twice the weight of the container and lading using a safety factor of 4 based upon the ultimate strength of the material used.  If the guard encloses the pressure relief valve, the valve shall be properly vented through the guard.

m)        If a liquid withdrawal line is installed in the bottom of a container, the connections thereto, including hose, shall not be lower than the lowest horizontal edge of the farm wagon axle.  The hose shall be drained and depressurized prior to the container being moved or towed on a public road. 

n)         Provision shall be made to secure both ends of the hose in transit.

o)         All containers shall be painted white or a light reflecting color.

p)         Marking of container –

1)         Placard: Four diamond type, nonflammable gas, UN 1005,  Department of Transportation  placards shall be displayed (one on each side and one on each end).

2)         Marking: The words ANHYDROUS AMMONIA shall appear on each side and each end in letters no less than two inches high.

3)         Each container shall be marked with the words INHALATION HAZARD in two inch letters on two opposing sides.

4)         The words LIQUID or VAPOR shall be placed on or within 12 inches of the appropriate valve by means of stencil, tag, decal, or color coding with a legible legend ORANGE LIQUID and YELLOW VAPOR on the tank.

5)         The container need not be marked or placarded on one end if that end contains valves, fittings, regulators, or gauges when those appurtenances prevent the markings and placard from being properly placed and visible.

q)         Farm wagons operating on public roads shall be provided with a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem consisting of a fluorescent orange triangle with a red reflective border.  On and after September 1, 2004, the specifications of the SMV shall be the type recommended by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers specification ASAE S 276.5 NOV 97.

r)          All farm wagons shall be securely attached to the vehicle drawing them by means of drawbars supplemented by suitable hitch pins with clips and safety chains permanently attached to the farm wagon.

s)         A farm wagon shall be constructed so that it will follow substantially in the path of the towing vehicle and will prevent the towed farm wagon from whipping or swerving dangerously from side to side.  Farm wagons require safety chains with a combined breaking strength of at least the weight of the laden nurse tank.

t)          A farm wagon shall not be towed or parked in public places such as school yards, malls, or hospital grounds.

u)         Each person operating, repairing appurtenances, or inspecting a nurse tank must comply with the following requirements:

1)         Any person required to handle, transfer, transport, or otherwise work with ammonia shall be trained to understand the properties of ammonia, to become competent in safe operating practices, and to take appropriate actions in the event of a leak or an emergency; and

2)         Any person making, breaking, or testing any ammonia connection, transferring ammonia, or performing maintenance or repair on an ammonia system under pressure shall wear protective gloves impervious to ammonia and chemical splash goggles.  A full face shield may be worn over the goggles; however, a face shield shall not be worn as a substitute for a primary eye protection device (goggles).

v)         For first aid purposes each nurse tank shall be equipped with at least 5 gallons of clean water in a container mounted on top or side of the tank designed to provide ready access to the water for flushing any area of the body contacted by ammonia.

w)        Prior to the addition of a chemical additive, its compatibility with system components shall be verified by the manufacturer of the additive.

x)         Storage of Containers: When a nurse tank containing 10% or more of anhydrous ammonia is at an unattended approved storage site, the manually controlled valves shall be plugged or capped or locked or the nurse tank shall be stored inside a locked, fenced enclosure.  Nurse tanks shall be stored no less than 50 feet from the edge of the adjacent road, 200 feet from place of private or public assembly and 750 feet from place of institutional occupancy.  All pressure and liquid gauges must be in working order.

(Source:  Amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 9922, effective July 1, 2003)