406FAQ

Updated:

09/27/06

CSA B620 1998 Specification Summary

CSA-B-620-1998 Standard for Petroleum Tankers
(A summary of the highlights of a 100 page standard)

Transport Canada
Periodic Inspection and Test Intervals for Tank Trucks and Trailers 306, 406

Description	Interval	Code	Previous Regulations
External Visual Inspection	1 year	V	2 years
Leakage Test	1 year	K	NA
Internal Inspection	5 years	I	NA
Pressure Test (Hydraulic or Pneumatic)	5 years	P	New & Repaired Tanks

Specifications:	TC-406 new Canadian code (CSA-B620-1998)
	TC-306 previous Canadian code (CSA-B620-1987)
	MC-306 previous USA code (Canada used previous to 1987)
	DOT-406 new USA code (implemented 1995)

Expiry:	All tanks built to the above specs and codes do not have an expiry but must be tested to the latest code standards. There are some non-spec tanks that do have an expiry and are clearly marked with an expiry date. These non-spec tanks are very rare in Ontario and East yet may/are common in Western Canada.

External Visual:	Now changed to annual and a more detailed inspection. For example product MUST be pumped throughout the system to prove leak free integrity. Also each emergency valve must be shut while pumping to prove they stop the flow of product. All tankers must be done by August 15^th 2003. One to two hours to perform test depending on assistance available.

Leakage Test:	This is a new test in Canada but has been in the USA since about 1995. This is pressure testing the complete system at between 1.6 and 2.6 lbs per square inch depending on the tank specification. It basically consists of having the tank as full as possible/practical of either water or oil (not gasoline) and introducing pressure at the top of each compartment and looking for leaks (including piping). To perform the test, there will be vents that must be removed/plugged or over-ridden. Vapour recovery equipped tanks will be easier to do than those with no vapour or provisions only. Different tank and vent models will require different tooling for tests. The cost or time required has not been determined because of the variety of tanker configurations in the industry.

Internal Inspection:	This will require the tank to be steamed and suitable for personnel entrance to a confined space. Each compartment will have to be entered by a qualified inspector and assessment of the tank integrity reported on.

Pressure Test:	The tank does not have to be steamed but will probably be done at the same time as the Internal Inspection so it may be. This is a higher pressure test at 3 & 5 lbs per square inch. This is usually a pneumatic test with soap test for tank integrity. The test considers each compartment is to be as a separate tank.

The internal inspection and Pressure test was previously done on new tanks only at time of manufacture and completed before the tank was mounted on the chassis. The other times this test has been done was after any tank welding type repairs.

The costs for most of the tests have not been established yet. As methods and procedures are developed and fine tuned then firm costs will become available.

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FAQ’s

Will there be higher costs for tank truck owners ?

Yes. There are 3 new periodic tests and frequency of the existing tests has increased therefore the costs of basic testing will be higher than under the previous code.

Will there be higher repair costs ?

Yes. More testing will reveal more defects and unsafe conditions that require repair.

What are some examples of repairs ?

Leakage tests have shown emergency valve gaskets leaking that are not yet leaking under normal operating pressures that require replacement.
Emergency valve shut off tests have shown valves not shutting correctly and requiring repairs.
Lids vents have to be of the specifications to meet the new code which require repair/replacement.
Victaulic gasket, seals, and pipe leaks show up under pressure that have not leaked under normal operating pressure that require repair/replacement.

When do these new regulations come into effect:

August 15, 2002 Tests are either annual or 5 years therefore August 15, 2003 is the deadline for most.
The external visual and leakage are annual tests therefore August 15, 2003 would be the deadline for these. However if the TDG inspection under the former rules is expired then the external visual is due now.
The Internal and pressure test depend on the age of the tank because these tests are every 5 years and were done at the time of manufacture. Therefore if the tank is over five years old, it’s now "past due".
Tank lids have a three year phase in period. Oval lids are not allowed under the new rules (by 2005).

Can these Test/Inspections be conducted at my place (mobile) ?

Yes & No. The external visual and leakage may be done mobile. The Internal and pressure are probably not practical to complete as mobile because of the steaming and safety requirements and should be done at the plant.
Robica has a full time Test/Inspector/Mechanic with an equipped service van for mobile inspection and minor repairs.

Have there been extra costs to the tank manufacturers and service companies ?

Yes. Strictly enforced minimum standards have been implemented (some manufacturers may exceed these standards)

A totally new quality manual has had to be developed and a quality control system put in place.

All tank welders have to now be certified welders.

All employees have to go under certain training and must be qualified for whatever operations they perform.

All relevant machinery and tooling has to be tracked, calibrated and maintained to certain standards

All tank designs have to be "certified" by a registered and approved design engineer.

All manufacturing has to undergo and be performed to certain and relevant standards and documented to same.

Are there any changes pending to these new regulations ?

As with anything new there are usually some "glitches". There may be some timing issues such as every tank theoretically is past due for a leakage test yet we are interpreting it as August 2003. There are no potential changes that we are aware of.