CDL Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME)Bulk Tanks and Other ContainersEasy
A consignor is preparing a bulk shipment of a liquid hazardous material with a specific gravity of 0.95. The cargo tank has a maximum rated capacity of 7,500 gallons. To prevent overfilling due to thermal expansion, regulations require that the tank not be filled to more than 95% of its capacity by volume. What is the maximum volume, in gallons, that can be loaded into this cargo tank?
- A8,000 gallons
- B7,125 gallons
- C7,875 gallons
- D7,500 gallons
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 7,125 gallons
To find the maximum volume, multiply the total capacity by the maximum fill percentage: 7,500 gallons * 0.95 = 7,125 gallons. The specific gravity is extraneous information for this question, as it asks for volume, not weight.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This value is greater than the tank's maximum rated capacity.
- C. This value (7,500 * 1.05) would mean overfilling.
- D. This is the full capacity, which is not allowed due to the 95% filling limit.
Bulk Tank Volume Filling Limit
To prevent overfilling and account for thermal expansion, bulk tanks carrying hazardous liquids often have a maximum allowable fill percentage of their volumetric capacity, typically 95%.
- Prevents dangerous over-pressurization.
- Accounts for temperature changes.
- Calculated as a percentage of total volume.
Memory trick: Percentage times total equals the safe fill line.