FL CDL Tanker flashcards

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48 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Tank Vehicle Endorsement (N): A CDL endorsement required to drive a tank vehicle. It requires passing a knowledge test on tank vehicle operation, surge, and stability.
Cargo Tank Specification Plate: A metal plate on the tank showing its DOT specification (such as DOT 406 for flammable liquids) and design pressure. It certifies the tank for its intended cargo.
Internal Self-Closing Stop Valve: A valve inside the tank that closes automatically if the handle is released, and can be closed remotely. It stops product flow in an emergency.
Overturn Protection: Structures over the manhole and dome area that protect the fittings if the tank rolls over. They reduce the chance of a spill in a rollover.
Rear-End Protection: A rear bumper or guard on a cargo tank strong enough to limit underride in a collision. Federal rules require it on cargo tanks.
Pre-Trip Leak Check: Walking the tank looking for wet streaks, drips, or staining at seams, valves, and the dome. Any sign of a leak means the vehicle is not ready to move.
Liquid Surge: The forward and backward movement of liquid in a partly filled tank when the vehicle brakes or accelerates. It pushes the vehicle and lengthens stopping distance.
Baffles: Walls inside the tank that divide it into compartments to reduce front-to-back surge. They reduce but do not eliminate liquid movement.
Bulkhead: A solid wall separating compartments in a tank. It limits how much liquid can move at once and lets you carry different products.
Center of Gravity: The point where the vehicle's weight is concentrated. A tanker's high, heavy load raises it, increasing rollover risk in curves and on ramps.
Lateral Slosh: Side-to-side liquid movement in a curve or lane change. It shifts weight to the outside of the turn and adds to the rollover force.
Curve Speed for Tankers: A loaded tanker should enter curves and ramps below the posted advisory speed, because its high center of gravity and surge make it less stable than a car.
25-Foot Loading Rule: The person loading a cargo tank must be within 25 feet of the tank and have a clear view of it, unless a qualified attendant uses a remote control.
Grounding and Bonding: Connecting the tank to the loading rack and to ground before opening a hatch on a flammable load. Connect ground first and disconnect it last.
Hazard Class 3: The hazard class for flammable liquids. A tank carrying a placarded amount must display Class 3 placards on all four sides.
Shipping Papers: Documents that must be within the driver's reach while seated. They list the proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and emergency phone number.
Loading Attendance: Staying with the tank during loading, within 25 feet and with a clear view. Unattended loading of a tank is a serious spill and fire risk.
Unloading Overfill: Filling the receiving tank past its safe level during transfer. Watch the receiving gauge and stop before full to leave room for expansion.
Steer With the Skid: If the tanker starts to slide, steer in the direction the rear is sliding and avoid hard braking. Hard braking with a shifting load can cause a rollover.
BLEVE: Boiling-liquid expanding-vapor explosion. A tank exposed to fire can rupture violently, so evacuate to a safe distance and warn others.
Spill Evacuation: Move upwind and uphill of a spill and keep others away. Do not walk through or touch the product; identify it from the shipping papers.
Emergency Phone Number: The number on the shipping papers to call in an incident. Report the product, quantity, and location, and follow the carrier's emergency plan.
Rollover Prevention: Enter curves and ramps at or below the advisory speed and never brake hard while turning with a partly filled tank. Smooth inputs keep the liquid from building momentum.
Post-Incident Inspection: After any incident, do not move the vehicle until the tank, valves, and hoses are checked. A damaged tank can leak or fail while being towed.
Florida CDL Requirement: Florida follows federal CDL rules: the N endorsement is required for tank vehicles, and the H endorsement is required for placarded hazardous materials loads.
Placard Placement: Placards go on all four sides of the vehicle for the hazard class carried. They must match the product and be changed when the product changes.
DOT 406 Tank: A cargo tank specification for flammable liquids. The specification plate certifies the tank's design pressure and intended cargo.
Remote Closure: A system that lets the driver shut off the internal valve from outside the tank in an emergency. It must be tested and working before loading.
Bottom Loading Valve: A valve at the bottom of the tank used to load product. It must open and close smoothly and seat fully, with no product weeping past the seat.
Pressure/Vacuum Relief Valve: A valve on the dome that vents excess pressure or vacuum. A stuck valve can let the tank over-pressurize or collapse under vacuum.
Hose Inspection: Checking hoses for cuts, bulges, soft spots, and worn couplings. A hose that fails under pressure can spray product onto the driver or hot engine.
Free Surface Effect: The empty space above liquid in a partly filled tank that lets the liquid move. More free surface means more surge and less stability.
Balanced Load: Keeping the liquid balanced side to side and front to back. An uneven load shifts the center of gravity and changes handling in curves.
Smooth Inputs: Gentle steering and braking that keep the liquid from building momentum. Abrupt inputs are what turn surge into a loss of control.
Advisory Curve Speed: The posted speed for a curve, set for cars. A loaded tanker should go below it because of its high center of gravity and liquid surge.
Bonding First: Connect the ground and bond before opening any hatch or hose on a flammable load, and disconnect them last. This prevents static ignition.
Chock the Wheels: Placing chocks at the wheels before loading or unloading. A tanker that rolls during transfer can tear the hose and spill product.
Placard Match: The placard must match the product actually in the tank, not the previous load. Remove or change placards when the product changes.
Attendant at Rack: The qualified person who stays with the tank during loading, within 25 feet with a clear view, or operates the remote control.
Spill Reporting: Report spills to the National Response Center and follow the carrier's emergency response plan. The shipping papers list the emergency phone number.
Fire-Exposed Tank: A tank exposed to fire is a BLEVE hazard. Evacuate to a safe distance and warn others; do not approach the tank ends.
Large Fire Response: Do not fight a large flammable liquid fire. Evacuate and let trained responders handle it, keeping people away from the tank.
Skid Correction: Steer in the direction of the skid and avoid hard braking. Hard braking with a shifting load can turn a skid into a rollover.
Incident Isolation: Stop, shut off the engine, set the parking brake, and keep people away after a leak or spill. Do not move the vehicle until the tank is checked.
H Endorsement: A CDL endorsement required to haul placarded amounts of hazardous materials. It requires a knowledge test and a security threat assessment.
Specification Plate Check: Confirming the tank's specification plate is present and legible before loading. The plate certifies the tank for its intended cargo and pressure.
Four-Sided Placards: Placards displayed on the front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle for the hazard class carried. They must match the product actually loaded.
Shipping Paper Reach: Shipping papers must be within the driver's reach while seated, listing the proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and emergency phone number.