The Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels 
(Unfired) Rules, 1981

CHAPTER IV

TRANSPORT

34. Application

The rules in this Chapter shall apply to the transport of compressed gas by vehicles.

35. Vehicles for transport of compressed gas.

1. Every vehicle for the transport of compressed gas shall be of a type approved in writing by the Chief Controller.
   

2. Where approval is sought to a vehicle under sub – rule (1) or to any of its special safety fittings 12 numbers of detailed drawing drawn to scale and a scouting fee of rupee fifty shall be forwarded to the Chief Controller.
   

3. If the Chief Controller after receipt of the drawing under sub – rule (2) and after making such further inquiries as he deems necessary is satisfied that the vehicle or the special safety fittings as the case may be meets with the requirements laid down in these rules he shall approve the drawing and return to the applicant one copy thereof duly endorsed.

36. Design

1. Every vessel used for the transportation of compressed gas shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of sub – rules (2) (3) (4) and (5) of this rule.
   

2. The design stress shall include an allowance to enable the vessel to withstand shocks normally encountered by movements on road such as acceleration and declaration for a minimum of 3g. When the vessel is self-supporting the vessel design shall provide for carrying the additional stresses normally carried by the chassis frame. Provision shall be made for distributing the localised arising from attachments to the vessels.
   

3. Mounting of vessels on the chassis or underframe shall be done in such a manner as to keep the vibrations attachments to the vessels. 
   

4. All attachments to the vessel shall be protected against accidental damage, which may result from collision overturning or other operational cause.     
   

5. All vessels shall be designed to withstand the most severe combined stresses to which they may be subjected to by the pressure of the gas the pumping pressures and stock loading caused by transport conditions.

37. Protection of valves and accessories

1. All valves and accessories shall be safeguarded against accidental damage interference.
   

2. Valves and accessories shall be mounted and protected in such a way that risks of accidental rupture of the branch to which the valve or accessory is connected is minimised.
   

3. Valves or accessories situated at the rear of a vehicle shall be protected by the rear cross member of the frame of the vehicle against and shall comply with sub – rule (2).

38. Equipment.

1. Piping ,fittings, pumps and meters : 

1. all piping fittings pumps and meters permanently mounted on the vehicle shall be designed to withstand the most severe combined stresses imposed by the following namely ; 

(a)        the maximum designed pressure of the vessel ;

(b)        the super imposed pumping pressure of the shock loading caused by road movements ; 

2. the materials used for vessel equipment shall be sufficient ductile to withstand rough usage and accidental damage. Brittle materials such as cast iron shall not be used.

2. Protection of piping and equipment:

1. all piping and equipment shall be adequately protected to minimise accidental damage which may be caused by rough usage collision or over – turning ;

2. any equipment or section of piping in which liquid may be trapped shall be protected against excessive pressure caused by thermal expansion of the contents.

3. Marketing of connections. – All connections on the vehicle, which require manipulation by the operator of the vehicle, should be clearly marked to prevent incorrect operation. The form of this marking should correspond with the operating procedure laid down for the vehicle.

39. Vehicle design considerations

1. General :

The vessel shall be securely attached to the chassis of the vehicle in such a manner as to take care of the forward movement of the vessel due to sudden declaration of the vehicle.

2. Design safety requirements – Mechanical:

1. the engine of the vehicle shall be of an internal combustion type ;

2. where the fuel system is gravity – fed a quick action cut – off – valve shall be fitted to the fuel feed pipe in an easily accessible and clearly marked position ;

3. the engine and exhaust system together with all electrical generators, motors ,batteries ,switch-gears and fuses shall be efficiently screened from the vessel or the body of the vehicle by a fire-resisting shield or by enclosure within an approved fire resisting compartment ; 

4. when the equipment referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are mounted forward of the back of the driving cab the cab can be considered to act as an acceptable shield provided the back the roof and the floor of the cab are of fire-resisting construction for the full width of the cab without any openings in the chassis ; 

5. when the cab construction does not conform to the requirements mentioned above a separate fire-resisting shield should be installed extending upwards without any opening from the top of the chassis to the top of the vessels ; 

6. in any case where windows are provided in the shield they should be fitted in fire-resisting framing with wired glass or other heatresisting material and shall not be capable of being opened. 

7. When the equipment referred to in clauses  (I) (ii) and (iii) are mounted to the rear of the back of the cab it shall be contained wholly within an approved fire-resisting compartment ; 

8. In any case where the fuel used to propel a vehicle gives off a flammable vapour at a temperature less than 65DC the fuel tank shall not be behind the shield unless the following requirements are complied with namely :-

(a)     the fuel tank is protected from blows by stout steel guards or by the frames of the vehicle;

(b)    the fill pipe of the fuel tank of the vehicle is provided with a cover having locking arrangement;

(c)     the fuel feed apparatus placed in front of the fire-resisting shield is used to lift the contents of the fuel tank;

9. where the engine of the vehicle provision drives a transfer pump shall be made to stop the engine from outside the engine from outside the cab.   

3. Design safety requirement – Electrical

The following requirements shall be complied with in connection with the electrical and antistatic properties of the vehicle namely: -

1. The electrical system shall have

                       (a)         the battery in an easily accessible position;

(b)        a readily accessible cut –off switch of not less than 300 Amps rating;

(c)         wiring so fixed and protected as to minimise accidental damage or undue wear. 

2. The vessel shall be electrically continuous with the chassis.

3. The vehicle shall be provided with a bonding point or bonding cable.

4. Tyres shall be of the “anti-static” type

4. Design safety requirements – General :

(i)          There shall be a clear space of at least 15cm.between the back of the cab and the front of the vessel

(ii)         The rear of the vessel shall be protected by a robust steel bumper and this bumper shall be – 

(a)         attached so that collision stresses will be transmitted to the framework of the vehicle or in the case of an articulated vehicle to the framework carrying the wheels of the vessel.

(b)         Situated at least 7.5 cm to the rear of the rearmost part of the vessel;

(c)         Extended on each side of the vehicle to at least the maximum width of the vessel.

(iii)       The maximum weight of the liquefied gas for which the vehicle is designed should not exceed the difference in weight between the unladen weight to the vehicle and the maximum gross weight permitted for that class of vehicle under the appropriate transport regulations.

40. Marking of vehicle

All vehicles shall be conspicuously marked on the vessel to show the product, which is being carried. 

41. Fire protection

1. Two serviceable fire extinguishers of suitable size and type shall be provided on each vehicle one on each side and should be accessible from outside the cab
   

2. A person while in or attending any vehicle conveying flammable gas shall not smoke or use matches or lighters.
   

3.  No fire artificial light or article capable of causing fire or explosion shall be taken or carried on any vehicle carrying flammable gas.

42.  Operation

1. Drivers shall be carefully selected and given appropriate training in driving and safe handling of the equipment and the compressed gas carried in the vehicle.
   

2.  When loading or discharge of a vehicle takes place within the operators own premise a competent person shall be present throughout the operations.
   

3. When discharge is in progress at a customers premise the driver shall remain his vehicle in such a position as to be able to stop the discharge immediately in an emergency.
   

4. Every vehicle shall be constantly attended to by at least one person who is familiar with the rules in this Chapter : Provided that nothing in this sub-rule shall apply to vehicles which are left in place previously approved for the purpose by the Chief Controller.
   

5.  In the event of an over-night stop away from home base prior arrangement shall be made for the safe parking of the vehicle overnight. In an emergency a driver may seek the co-operation of the local police in finding suitable parking facilities for his vehicle.

43.  Certificate of safety

A certificate of safety in prescribed proforma signed by a competent person shall be furnished to the licensing authority before any vehicle is used for the transportation of any compressed gas to the effect that the vehicle meets with the provisions of the rules in this Chapter.

44. Inspection and Maintenance of Vehicles

1. The licensee for any vehicle shall ensure that it is all times road-worthy and that it is in a fit condition to fill transport and discharge its load safely.
   

2. An examination of the vehicle to check that the vehicle is maintained as per Sub-rule (1) shall be carried out every six months by a competent person and a certificate in the prescribed proforma shall be issued by him.