Title 49

SECTION 231.21

231.21 Tank cars without underframes.

§ 231.21 Tank cars without underframes.

(a) Hand brakes - (1) Number. Same as specified for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(a)(1)).

(2) Dimensions. Same as specified for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(a)(2)).

(3) Location. Each hand brake shall be so located that it can be safely operated while car is in motion. The brake shaft shall be located on end of car to the left of center.

(4) Manner of application. Same as specified for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(a)(4)).

(b) End platforms - (1) Number. Two.

(2) Dimensions. Minimum width, ten inches. Minimum thickness, one and three-quarters inches.

(3) Location. One on each end extending across car a distance equal to or greater than any other portion of car. Outside edge of end platform shall extend not less than seven inches beyond bulge of tank head and safety railing.

(4) Manner of application. End platforms shall be securely fastened to the draft sills and be sufficiently rigid to prevent sagging.

(d) End platform safety railing - (1) Number. Two.

(2) Dimensions. Minimum of seven-eighths inch diameter, wrought iron or steel, or one and one-quarter inch pipe. Minimum clearance, two and one-half inches.

(3) Location. One safety railing at each end of car shall extend horizontally across car not less than thirty-six inches nor more than fifty-four inches above end platform and extend downward within three inches of the end of the platform. The safety railing shall be located not more than six inches from the inside edge of the platform.

(4) Manner of application. Safety railings shall be supported at center of car and at each end by extending downward at the ends and attaching to the platform.

(e) Side railing - (1) Number. Two.

(2) Dimensions. One and one-quarter inch pipe. Minimum clearance two and one-half inches.

(3) Location. One on each side of car, extending from end platform to end platform at a distance of not less than 51 inches from centerline of car, except that where break in side railing is necessary for side ladder or operating cabinet, the side railing shall be securely attached to such ladder and/or cabinet.

(4) Manner of application. Safety railings shall be securely attached to end platforms and supported from the car at intervals not exceeding ten feet.

(f) Side handholds - (1) Number. Four.

(2) Dimensions. Same as specified for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(h)(2)).

(3) Location. Four horizontal; one on face of end platform end, over sill step, projecting downward or outward. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall be not more than twelve inches from end of car. Vertical portion of end platform safety railing shall be considered as a side vertical handhold.

(4) Manner of application. Same as prescribed for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(h)(4)).

(g) End handholds - (1) Number. Four.

(2) Dimensions. Same as specified for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(i)(2)).

(3) Location. Horizontal, one near each side of each end of car on face of end sill. Clearance of outer end of handhold shall not be more than sixteen inches from side of car.

(4) Manner of application. Same as specified for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(i)(4)).

(h) Uncoupling levers. Same as specified for “Box and other house cars” (see § 231.1(k)).

(i) End ladder clearance. No part of car above end sills within thirty inches from side of car, except buffer block, brake shaft, brake-shaft brackets, brake wheel, running boards or uncoupling lever shall extend to within twelve inches of a vertical plane parallel with end of car and passing through the inside face of knuckle when closed with coupler horn against the buffer block or end sill, and no other part of end of car or fixtures on same, above end sills, other than exceptions herein noted, shall extend beyond the outer face of the buffer block.

(j) Operating platform, ladder and safety railing - (1) Number. One operating platform, two ladders and safety railing. Not required if all fittings used in the loading or unloading of the tank car are accessible from ground or end platform.

(2) Dimensions. (i) Ladder: Ladder stiles, three-eighths by two inches or equivalent, wrought iron or steel. One and one-quarter inch extra strong pipe will be considered equivalent.

(ii) Ladder treads minimum diameter, five-eighths of an inch, wrought iron or steel.

(iii) Minimum clear length of treads, fourteen inches.

(iv) Maximum spacing of treads, nineteen inches.

(v) Minimum clearance of treads and ladder stiles, two inches, preferably two and one-half inches.

(vi) Operating platform, minimum width, seven inches; minimum thickness, one and three-quarters inches.

(vii) Safety railing, one and one-quarter inch wrought iron or steel pipe.

(3) Location. (i) Operating platform to be of sufficient length to provide access to all operating fittings. Ladder to be located on sides of car at center.

(ii) The safety railing shall enclose the operating platform, manway and fittings used in the loading and unloading of the tank. Railing shall be open only at the ladders where it shall extend in a vertical direction down to, and be securely attached to the platform. Maximum width of opening, twenty-four inches.

(4) Manner of application. (i) The ladders shall be securely fastened to the operating platform. The lower portion of ladder shall be braced in such a manner as to prevent any movement.

(ii) The operating platforms shall be supported to prevent sagging and be securely attached to the tank.

(iii) The safety railing shall be securely attached to four stanchions or corner posts, which shall be securely attached to the tank or operating platform.

(k) Manner of application of safety appliances on tank cars covered with jackets. On tanks covered with jackets, metal pads shall be securely attached to the shell proper, to which brackets shall be fastened for securing the safety appliances attached to the tanks; or, the safety appliances (with the exception of the operating platform brackets) may be secured to the jackets reinforced with metal pads at the point of attachment, which pads shall extend at least two inches from the center line of rivet holes. The operating platform brackets shall be secured to the jacket reinforced with suitable bands. When the safety appliances are attached to the jacket covering of the tank, the jacket shall be tightened so that there will be no danger of its slipping around.

[33 FR 19663, Dec. 25, 1968, as amended at 34 FR 11974, July 16, 1969]