The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in close consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is issuing a final rule improving the safety of rail tank cars that carry poisonous by inhalation materials (PIH), such as chlorine or anhydrous ammonia used heavily in water treatment, agricultural, and industrial applications. The improvements increase rail hazmat tank car crashworthiness over existing design standards. The final rule establishes interim design standards requiring a combination of thicker outer jackets and/or inner shells, new safety features to protect the valves, fittings and nozzles, and a maximum operating speed, among other provisions. The new standards apply to PIH tank cars built on or after the effective date of March 1 6, 2009, and to certain tank cars currently in service that already conform to the interim standard. The final rule will be published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2009.
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