CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SUBCHAPTER e: FERTILIZERS
PART 215 ANHYDROUS AMMONIA, LOW PRESSURE NITROGEN SOLUTIONS, EQUIPMENT, CONTAINERS, AND STORAGE FACILITIES
SECTION 215.15 DEFINITIONS
Section 215.15 Definitions
"Actuation device" means a mechanical device that is manually activated to cause the closing of emergency shutoff valves or internal valves stopping the flow of the product in the system.
"Alteration" means a change in any item described in the original manufacturer's data report that affects the pressure-containing capability of the container. Rerating a container by increasing maximum allowable working pressure or by increasing or decreasing allowable working temperature shall be considered an alteration.
"Ammonia or anhydrous ammonia" means the compound formed by the chemical combination of the elements nitrogen and hydrogen in the molar proportion of one part nitrogen to three parts hydrogen. This relationship is shown by the chemical formula, NH3. On a weight basis, the ratio is 14 parts nitrogen to three parts hydrogen or approximately 82% nitrogen to 18% hydrogen. Ammonia may exist in either gaseous, liquid or solid state. It is not to be confused with aqua ammonia (ammonium hydroxide), which is a solution of ammonia in water.
"Approved" means listed by a recognized testing laboratory, recommended by the manufacturer as suitable for use with anhydrous ammonia and so marked or documented, or accepted by the authority having jurisdiction.
"Appurtenance" refers to all devices such as pressure relief devices, liquid level gauging devices, valves, pressure gauges, pressure regulators, fittings, metering or devices designed to be attached to an ammonia container.
"Back check" means a device that allows liquid or vapor in the vessel, equipment or systems to flow in only one direction.
"Capacity" means the total volume of the container measured in standard U.S. gallons unless otherwise specified.
"Cargo tank" is a bulk packaging that is:
a tank intended primarily for the carriage of liquids or gases and includes appurtenances, reinforcements, fittings and closures;
permanently attached to or forms a part of a motor vehicle, or is not permanently attached to a motor vehicle but, by reason of its size, construction or attachment to a motor vehicle, is loaded or unloaded without being removed from the motor vehicle; and
not fabricated under a specification for cylinders, portable tanks, tank cars or multi-unit tank car tanks.
"Cargo tank motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle with one or more cargo tanks permanently attached to or forming an integral part of the motor vehicle.
"Certified competent attendant" means a competent attendant who has successfully completed Certified Competent Attendant Training.
"Certified grower" means a grower or grower farm operator who has successfully completed Certified Grower Training.
"Certified welder" means any welder who is employed by a company that holds an R stamp certificate of authentication.
"Chemical splash goggles" or "goggles" means flexible fitting chemical-protective goggles with a hooded indirect ventilation system to provide primary protection of the eyes and eye sockets from the splash of hazardous liquids. Direct vented goggles do not comply with this definition.
"Commercial" means buying and selling anhydrous ammonia and/or selling the associated services for compensation.
"Container" means all tanks, except cylinders, as defined in Section 215.15, used for the transportation or storage of anhydrous ammonia.
"Custom Applicator" means an individual who applies anhydrous ammonia as an employee of a company supplying the product or operators for hire.
"Cylinder" means a pressure vessel designed for pressures higher than 40 psig and having a circular cross-section. It does not include a portable tank, multi-unit tank car tank, cargo tank or tank car.
"Decommission" means to stop using a pressurized vessel and remove it from service.
"Department" means the Illinois Department of Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield IL 62794.
"Design pressure" is identical to the term "Maximum Allowable Working Pressure" used in the ASME Code.
"Emergency shower" means a shower unit permanently connected to a source of clean water that enables the user to have water cascading over the entire body.
"Emergency shutoff valve" or "ESV" means a shutoff valve incorporating a manual means of closure. All approved ESVs shall incorporate a reliable actuation system that will close all of the emergency shutoff valves and/or internal valves of the piping system on the first attempt in the event of an emergency or of testing from a remote location. An emergency shutoff valve shall remain closed except during periods of operation.
"Excess flow valve" means a valve that is designed to close automatically at the rated flow of vapor or liquid as specified by the manufacturer. The piping, including valves, fittings and hose, being protected by an excess flow valve shall have a greater capacity than the rated flow of the protected valve, so the valve will likely close in case of failure of the delivery system at any point in the line or fittings.
"Eye wash unit" means a device used to irrigate and flush the eyes with clean water. Depending upon the requirements set forth in this standard, the device may be a plumbed unit permanently connected to a source of clean water, or it may be a self-contained unit not permanently installed that must be refilled or replaced after use.
"Filling density" means the percent ratio of the weight of the ammonia permitted in a container to the weight of water at 60°F (15.6°C) that the container will hold when full. One pound of water = 27.74 cubic inches (455 ml) at 60°F (15.6°C). For determining the water capacity of the tank in pounds, the weight of one gallon (231 cubic inches) (3.785 L) of water at 60°F (15.6°C) in air shall be 8.328 lb (3.778 kg).
"Grower" means any individual who produces an agricultural commodity on property he or she owns or controls.
"Grower farm operator" means an individual employed by or otherwise authorized by a grower to transport or apply anhydrous ammonia, or to otherwise maintain anhydrous ammonia equipment. These individuals include grower family members, full- and part-time hired help, and others providing anhydrous ammonia services at no fee.
"Hitching point" means the point where a mechanical connection is made between the nurse tank and the tool bar, towing vehicle or another nurse tank.
"Hydrostatic relief valve" means a pressure relief device for liquid service designed to prevent excessive pressure due to thermal expansion when a pipe or hose is filled with liquid such as between block valves or blinds.
"Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health" or "IDLH" means the maximum concentration from which unprotected persons are able to escape within 30 minutes without escape-impairing symptoms or irreversible health effects. The IDLH for ammonia is 300 ppm by volume in accordance with the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
"Implement of husbandry", for the purpose of this Part, means a system that includes a nurse tank with a capacity of 3000 gallons or less or an application device used for transporting and/or applying anhydrous ammonia exclusively for agricultural purposes.
"Institutional occupancy" means a location where people may be unable to vacate voluntarily and shall be deemed to include nursing homes, hospitals, jails and schools.
"Internal valve" means a storage container primary shutoff valve that can be closed remotely and incorporates an internal excess flow valve with the seat and seat disc located within the container in a manner to remain in place in the event of external damage to the valve and/or associated piping. An internal valve shall incorporate a reliable actuation system that will close all of the emergency shutoff valves and/or internal valves of the piping system on the first attempt in the event of an emergency or of testing from a remote location. An emergency valve shall remain closed except during periods of operation.
"Load" or "loading" means the transfer of anhydrous ammonia, at a commercial facility or noncommercial facility, from facility storage to transportation equipment, application equipment or field nursing transportation equipment.
"Material suitable for use" includes iron, steel and certain non-ferrous alloys that are compatible for use in anhydrous ammonia service. Copper, brass, zinc and certain alloys, especially those containing copper, are not suitable for anhydrous ammonia service.
"Mechanical secure point" means a connection point affixed to the nurse tank or running gear for the attachment of the nurse tank hoses. The mechanically secure point provides resistance allowing the breakaway coupler to operate in the event of detachment of the nurse tank from the towing implement.
"New facility" means an approved location or a facility that has not been previously approved for the storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia.
"Temporary Certified Competent Attendant" means a person who has successfully completed a Department approved online training course and received a certificate of completion. The certificate will expire on July 15 or December 31 as indicated on the certificate and cannot be repeated or renewed.
"Noncommercial facility" means a site, including the land and structures, and the equipment fixed on the land and structures, designed and used for the storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia used in the associated not-for-hire operations.
"Nonmobile" means not readily capable of moving or being moved from place to place.
"Permanent storage installation" means a system employing a stationary (fixed) container used exclusively for storage or supply.
"Personal protective equipment" means adequate clothing and equipment used to ensure personal safety in the workplace.
"Positive pressure self-contaminated breathing apparatus" or "SCBA" means a full face piece respirator approved by NIOSH/MSHA for respiratory protection for both entry into or escape from oxygen-deficient atmospheres or a concentration of gases or vapors that are immediately dangerous to life or health in which the supply of air is carried by the wearer. The air pressure inside the face piece is positive in relation to the air pressure of the outside atmosphere during exhalation and inhalation.
"Pressure relief valve" is a device designed to open to prevent an increase in internal vapor pressure in the container in excess of a specified value due to an emergency or abnormal condition and to close and prevent further flow after normal conditions have been restored.
"Private assembly" means a location where people gather together but is not generally open to the public.
"Protective gloves, boots and suits" are items made of rubber or other material impervious to ammonia. Gloves refer to gauntlet-style of sufficient length to allow for cuffing and that provide thermal protection suitable for ammonia exposure.
"psia" means pounds per square inch absolute.
"psig" means pounds per square inch gauge.
"Public assembly" is a location that includes, but is not limited to, churches, manufacturing companies, cemeteries currently in operation, land managed for recreational or conservation purposes, museums, camps, parks, retail and wholesale facilities, and shopping centers. Examples of public assembly include places that operate less than 52 weeks per year, such as businesses or other places that experience seasonal shutdowns and parks, camps and recreational areas that experience seasonal shutdowns or reduced attendance during a portion of the calendar year, provided that these places are frequented by at least 50 persons at least once per week during the portions of the year when seasonal shutdowns or reductions in attendance do not occur. "Reinstallation" means the removal of a storage vessel from the originally approved site to a different site.
"Repair" means the work necessary to restore a container, cylinder or system to a safe and satisfactory operating condition provided there is, in all cases, no deviation from the original design. Repairs include the addition or replacement of pressure or nonpressure parts that do not change the design temperature or pressure of the container, cylinder or system.
"Reportable quantity" or "RQ" means the federal RQ (Reportable Quantity) for an anhydrous ammonia release, which is 100 lb. (45 kg) or 18 gallons (68 litres).
"Respirator" means an air-purifying device with full face piece and either chin-style or front- or back-mounted canisters with associated connections approved by NIOSH for use in ammonia contaminated atmosphere in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.134 and selected in accordance with ANSI Z88.2. A respirator of the air-purifying type must be used only in an atmosphere containing 19.5% to 22.0% oxygen by volume.
"Responsible party" means the individual, partnership, corporation or association in control of the anhydrous ammonia at the time of an accident or incident involving an RQ release.
"System" means an assembly of equipment consisting essentially of the containers, hoses, appurtenances, pumps, compressors and interconnecting piping.
"Tank" means a vessel designed and constructed for the storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia.
"Tool bar" means an implement of husbandry for the field application of ammonia that is used in conjunction with nurse tanks. For purposes of this definition, chisel plows, field cultivators or other conventional tillage equipment that has been manufactured or retrofitted with any ammonia valves, gauges, hoses, application knives, metering devices, safety devices or tool bar refrigeration units for the purpose of ammonia application are considered to be tool bars.
"Tool bar breakaway device" means a self-closing device designed to disconnect anhydrous ammonia hoses upon detachment from the nurse tanks.
"Tool bar refrigeration unit" means a unitized system of ammonia pipe, valves and gauges, with ammonia monitoring, handling, metering and manifold-dispensing devices that are used to process pressurized ammonia into refrigerated ammonia for more accurate metering and distribution during field application.
"Unload" or "unloading" means the transfer of anhydrous ammonia at commercial or noncommercial facilities from the transport vehicle into facility storage.
"UN 1005" means the placard number assigned to anhydrous ammonia by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods.
"Wet hose" is an anhydrous hose with shutoff valves at each end that is capable of containing liquid product at all times.
(Source: Amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 18281, effective October 29, 2020)