Chlorine Tank Car Unloading Facilities Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1147)

25 An expansion chamber shall be provided between shut-off valves or other locations where liquid chlorine may become trapped. The capacity of the expansion chamber shall not be less than 20 per cent of the capacity of the pipeline it is intended to protect.

• 26 (1) If the normal tank car pressure is not adequate for unloading purposes, it may be increased by means of clean dry air by a procedure commonly known as “Air Padding” in accordance with the recommendations contained in The Chlorine Institute Pamphlet No. 4, dated May 17, 1961, and amendments thereto, and with the requirements prescribed in subsections (3) and (4).

• (2) Clean, dry, inert gas may be used for “Padding” if the written consent of the chlorine supplier is obtained.

• (3) The total pressure of air or inert gas padding plus chlorine vapour in the tank car at the maximum temperature attained during unloading shall not exceed the following:

  • (a) 125 psig, for tank cars equipped with safety valves set to discharge at 225 psig; and

  • (b) 200 psig, for tank cars equipped with safety valves set to discharge at 375 psig.

• (4) The air or inert gas used for padding shall be free from oil and other foreign substances and shall be dried to a dew point, measured at atmospheric pressure, of  minus 40°F or below.

• 27 (1) Piping shall be carried on permanent supports of steel or concrete or on some other supporting system approved by the Commission.

• (2) Ground-based supports for pipelines more than four feet above ground shall be mounted on footings which extend below the frost line or which rest on bedrock.

• (3) Pipelines exposed to damage by vehicular traffic shall be protected by guard rails or curbs of concrete or metal.

• (4) Provision shall be made in pipelines for expansion, contraction, jarring, vibration and settling.

• (5) Ground-based, steel supports for pipelines more than four feet above ground should be coated or otherwise protected against fire damage by a method recommended by the National Fire Protection Association to provide the support with a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours.

• 28 (1) Pipelines running parallel to a track shall not be closer than 10 feet to the gauge side of the nearest rail of that track and shall comply with subsection (2).

• (2) Except as provided in section 29, pipelines located on the railway right-of-way within 20 feet of a track shall be installed in accordance with any one of the following paragraphs:

  • (a) pipelines may be enclosed in a reinforced concrete or steel trench fitted with a recessed removable cover flush with the ground; the trench shall be provided with a drain to prevent water from collecting;

  • (b) pipelines may be carried on an overhead pipe bridge fabricated from steel or concrete and providing a minimum clearance of not less than 13 feet above ground, except that the installation of pipelines over tracks shall not be undertaken without the express approval of the Commission in writing;

  • (c) that portion of a pipeline between the unloading rack and a process or similar building located on the unloading site may be enclosed by a chain link fence not less than five feet high.

• 29 (1) Notwithstanding  subsection 28(2), pipelines under railway tracks shall comply with Pipe Crossings Under Railways (No. E-10) Regulations.

• (2) Notwithstanding subsection 28(2), pipelines under roadways on the railway right-of-way shall be enclosed in a vented encasing pipe. The top of which shall be below the frost line and in no case less than three feet below the surface of the roadway. It shall be capable of supporting all overhead traffic without deformation or a failure of any kind.

30 Unloading racks shall be constructed of concrete or steel and their footings shall extend below frost line or to solid bedrock.

31 Vaporizers shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with the recommendations of The Chlorine Institute as contained in its Pamphlet No. 9, dated November 7, 1962, and amendments thereto.

PART IVUnloading Operations

32 The company or person to whom the chlorine tank car is consigned for unloading shall comply with all of the requirements prescribed in this Part.

33 At least one unloading operator or other person trained in the handling of chlorine and familiar with its hazards, (see Schedule IV), shall be in attendance on the unloading site during the entire period that chlorine is being discharged from the tank car for the purpose of ensuring that the unloading operations are performed safely and in accordance with these Regulations.

34 During the entire period that the tank car is connected to the unloading pipelines it shall be protected on the connected end or ends of the unloading track by a locked derail or switch located at least one car length from the tank car.

• 35 (1) During the entire period that the tank car is connected to the unloading pipelines, it shall be protected on the connected end or ends of the unloading track by a weatherproof sign or signs, measuring 12 inches by 15 inches and reading “STOP — TANK CAR CONNECTED”. The word “STOP” shall be in letters at least four inches high and the other words in letters at least two inches high. The letters shall be white on a blue background.

• (2) The “STOP — TANK CAR CONNECTED” sign or signs, shall be placed on the tank car, or the unloading track in a manner that will ensure its visibility to the crew of an engine approaching the tank car on the same track.

36 The tank car hand brakes shall be applied and the wheels shall be blocked at both ends of the car during the entire period that the tank car is connected to the unloading lines.

• 37 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the shut-off valves shall be closed and the unloading pipelines disconnected from the tank car immediately after the completion of unloading operations.

• (2) Pipelines need not be disconnected from the tank car if all shut-off valves on the tank car and in the discharge lines are closed, the tank car is protected as provided in sections 34 to 36 and the period during which operations are suspended does not exceed 72 hours.

38 Tank cars shall not be unloaded after sundown unless the unloading rack, tank car dome and other areas of activity on the unloading site are adequately lighted by permanent flood lights, installed and otherwise in conformity with the provisions of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, Eighth Edition and amendments thereto, or in accordance with any other higher standard prescribed by the local authority. Any electrical facilities within 20 feet of the unloading rack or tank car connection shall be suitable for a corrosive atmosphere.

39 At least one 20 pound ABC, dry chemical fire extinguisher or its equivalent shall be located at the unloading site and be readily available to the unloading operator during unloading operations.

• 40 (1) At least one respirator of the self-contained type and approved for use in chlorine atmospheres by the United States Bureau of Mines, together with a person trained in its use, shall be available on the site on not more than 20 minutes notice.

• (2) At least two respirators of the absorbing canister type and approved for use in chlorine atmospheres by the United States Bureau of Mines, together with a person trained in their use, shall be readily available on the site during unloading operations.

• 41 (1) A chlorine emergency repair kit of a type recommended by The Chlorine Institute for the repair of tank cars, together with a man qualified to use it, shall be available on the site on short notice.

• (2) Instruction cards, which provide information essential to the emergency handling of chlorine leaks, such as the location of respirators and the phone numbers listed hereunder, shall be posted in a conspicuous place outside near the unloading rack or inside near the unloading site telephone:

  • (a) the phone number of at least one senior officer of the company owning or operating the unloading facility;

  • (b) the phone numbers of the nearest police department, fire department and hospital;

  • (c) the phone numbers of the principal public and institutional buildings within 2,000 feet of the unloading rack;

  • (d) the phone number of at least one person who is available on short notice and is competent in handling chlorine leaks and similar emergencies;

  • (e) the phone numbers of at least two persons who are available on short notice and are competent in the use of chlorine emergency repair kits; and

  • (f) the phone number of the nearest agent or officer of the railway company serving the facility.

• (3) The owning or operating company shall have at least one person available on short notice during unloading operations who has been trained in the handling of major chlorine leaks and other similar emergencies and that person shall participate in periodic safety drills, which shall include practice in the proper use of respirators, and other safety equipment.

42 The deliberate venting of chlorine to the atmosphere in quantities sufficient to cause injury to a person on the unloading site or in quantities sufficient to escape the boundaries of the unloading site is prohibited.

43 A weatherproof sign measuring not less than 12 inches by 12 inches and bearing the word “CHLORINE” in black letters at least four inches high on a yellow background shall be attached in a conspicuous place to the unloading rack or to a post near the rack.

44 The exterior of the piping system shall be painted or otherwise protected from atmospheric corrosion.

• 45 (1) All piping and other parts of the unloading system shall be inspected at least once every three months by a competent inspector for leaks and other evidence of deterioration.

• (2) Leaking or defective pipes, fittings, valves or other parts of the unloading system shall be repaired or replaced by a qualified person and this work shall be undertaken immediately or with the minimum of delay that is consistent with good safety practice. That portion of the system to be repaired or replaced shall be isolated from the rest of the system and purged of chlorine in a manner that will not violate section 42.

PART VGeneral

• 46 (1) The unloading site shall be kept free of debris. Grass and weed growth shall not be permitted to exceed six inches in height.

• (2) No combustible or other dangerous commodity, except chlorine, shall be stored or handled on the unloading site unless that commodity is mentioned in the approved application or is otherwise sanctioned by the approving order.

47 All chlorine unloading facilities subject to these Regulations may be inspected at any time by an officer of the Commission.

48 The owning or operating company shall report immediately by wire to the railway company concerned and to the Director of Operation, Canadian Transport Commission, Ottawa, Ontario, every fire, explosion, pipeline rupture, or any occurrence that results in the accidental release of chlorine from the system in quantities sufficient to escape the boundaries of the unloading site or causes injury to a person on the site to the extent that medical attention is required.

49 Violations of any provision of these Regulations are subject to such penalty as may be provided in the Railway Act.

50 The principal hazards associated with the unloading of tank cars of chlorine are discussed in Schedule IV.