CDL Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME)Loading and Unloading Hazardous MaterialsMedium
A portable tank containing a hazardous material is being loaded onto a flatbed trailer. What is the minimum number of tiedowns required to secure a portable tank with a capacity of 1,000 gallons?
- A2 tiedowns
- B5 tiedowns
- C3 tiedowns
- D4 tiedowns
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 4 tiedowns
According to FMCSR 393.106, a portable tank with a capacity of 500 gallons or more must be secured by at least four tiedowns. For tanks less than 500 gallons, two tiedowns are sufficient, but 1,000 gallons clearly falls into the 'four or more' category.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Two tiedowns are for tanks under 500 gallons.
- B. Five tiedowns would be safe but is not the minimum regulatory requirement.
- C. Three tiedowns is not a standard requirement for portable tanks.
Portable Tank Tiedown Requirements
Specific regulations dictate the minimum number of tiedowns required to secure portable tanks based on their capacity.
- Capacity < 500 gallons: 2 tiedowns.
- Capacity ≥ 500 gallons: 4 tiedowns.
- Tiedowns must be properly rated and secured.
Memory trick: Big tanks need 'four-score' tiedowns to be secure.