Hazardous Cargo Tank Trailer Repair Guidelines
Hazardous cargo tank trailer repair is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the guidelines they set forth for the process. These tank trailer repair guidelines govern the registration, accreditation and certification requirements for the company performing the repairs as well as the specialized technicians performing the repairs.
Requirements associated with tank trailer repair
Administration – The repairing entity must be registered and accredited with the National Board “TR” Program. The entity must maintain a quality assurance program that thoroughly documents and governs the repair process. This includes establishing documentation that demonstrates the entity is in compliance with ASME BPV Code standards for welding and brazing procedures.
Personnel – Per Section IX ASME guidelines, only certified welders are permitted to perform cargo tank repairs. Individuals may be trained in-house via welding programs designed to give them the skills needed to conduct a cargo tank repair, however, these individuals must be tested as part of the quality assurance program to ensure they perform the proper welds for the tasks they perform.
Corrosion and tank trailer repair
Corrosion is one of the leading causes of cargo tank trailer repair. As the metal breaks down, it can weaken the integrity of the tank and potentially contaminate the contained liquid. Corrosion that must be repaired includes the following types:
General Corrosion – General corrosion is corrosion that covers a significant region of the cargo tank. In many cases, clearing the corrosion and applying a flush patch is sufficient to bring the tank back in line with standards. In some cases, a weld overlay may be applied instead of a patch.
Pitting – Pitting is the formation of holes that may penetrate through the vessel wall. Shallow pitting may not require repair, however, if the depth is sufficient to threaten the integrity of the tank, it should be repaired immediately.
Line Corrosion – This occurs when pits connect with one another in a line that threatens the exterior integrity of the tank. This type of damage often occurs within the interior of the cargo tank. These do not need to be repaired if the depth of the pits does not exceed the minimal hull thickness. If it has, a common repair that is permissible is the application of a flush patch.
Grooved Corrosion – This can occur on both internal and external surfaces. If the original thickness of the tank exceeds 3/8 of an inch, a general weld overlay may be applied. However, if it did not, then a flush patch will be required to complete the repair.
Galvanic Corrosion – This occurs at the juncture where two or more dissimilar metals meet. The chemical process that occurs can create rapid deterioration of the metal and must be repaired immediately to prevent catastrophic failure. Repair of this problem can be complex because it may require redesigning the tank or redesignating the tank’s cargo purpose to prevent the problem from recurring.
We look forward to working with you
Contact Trailer Services of West Texas to learn more about our trailer repair services and the methods we use to ensure that corrosion doesn’t leave your tanks high and dry. We will be happy to answer your questions and schedule the repairs you need to keep your operations moving forward.
Trailer Services of West Texas offers comprehensive trailer repair facilities throughout the Permian Basin, South Plains, and Texas Panhandle. We handle every aspect of repair from replacing brakes to installing new trailer alignments.
If you are looking for the best place to get all of your trailer repair services and trailer parts, call or visit Trailer Services of West Texas. We offer everything from trailer parts to trailer repair, paragon blowers, axle repair services and line boring, tank trailer services and much more. Trailer Services of West Texas is located in Amarillo, Lubbock, and Odessa. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment at a specific location, Contact Us Today (for Amarillo, call (806) 376-5837 or contact via email, for Lubbock, call (806) 763-6311 or contact via email, for Odessa, call (432) 561-9792) or contact via email). You can also visit one of our locations convenient located near you.
