On August 15, 2016 (81 FR 53935), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule in the federal register to to codify in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 173 & 179) certain mandates and minimum requirements of the FAST Act. Specifically, the FAST Act mandates a revised phase-out schedule for all DOT Specification 111 tank cars used to transport unrefined petroleum products (e.g., petroleum crude oil), ethanol, and other Class 3 flammable liquids. The FAST Act also requires that each tank car built to meet the DOT Specification 117 and each non-jacketed tank car retrofitted to meet the DOT Specification 117R be equipped with a thermal protection blanket that is at least 1⁄2-inch thick and meets existing thermal protection standards. Further, the FAST Act mandates minimum top fittings protection requirements for tank cars retrofitted to meet the DOT Specification 117R. This final rule is effective on August 15, 2016. Click on the link below to download the full version:

PHMSA 08-15-2016 FR new rail tank car specs