Anhydrous Ammonia Program

This program is delegated to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture by the State of Minnesota. This program performs a regulatory and educational function. The regulatory function relates to ongoing site permitting and inspection of NH3 facilities and corresponding equipment. This program also provides educational materials and training opportunities for farmers and farm suppliers. The safe handling and storage of NH₃ is the ultimate goal of this effort.

Learn more:

• Independent Anhydrous Ammonia Inspector Program
• American Welding & Tank, LLC Statement Regarding Inspection of Anhydrous Ammonia Tanks
• Emergency Response to Ammonia Spills
• Anhydrous Ammonia Incident Reporting Requirements

External Links:

• Minnesota Fertilizer, Soil Amendment and Plant Amendment Law: Minnesota Statutes, Section 18C.001-18C.575
• Minnesota Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia Rules: Minnesota Rules, Parts 1513.0010-1513.1100
• Anhydrous Ammonia Theft - What You Need To Know (PDF)
• Minnesota DOT Commercial Vehicle Operations
• Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement 
• Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 169. Traffic Regulations
• MNDOT Hazmat & Motor Carrier Safety Fact Sheets
• Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49
• DOT Hazardous Materials Security Requirements 
• US DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• Inspection, Repair and Maintenance per 49 CFR Section 396
• The following are sample forms from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration web site:
  • Annual Vehicle Inspection Report Form (per 49 CFR Section 396.17)
  • Driver's Vehicle Inspection Report (for daily inspections per 49 CFR Section 396.11)
  • Inspection, Repair and Maintenance Record (per 49 CFR Section 396.21)
• US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration – Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
• OSHA Related Information 
  • An Employer’s Guide to Developing an Employee Right-To-Know Program (PDF)
  • Minnesota OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements for Training (PDF) 
  • OSHA Standard (CFR 1910.134) - Respiratory Protection Regulations
  • Small Entity Compliance Guide for Respiratory Protection (PDF) 
  • Emergency Eyewash & Shower Specifications – Minnesota OSHA (PDF)
  • OSHA Impalement Protection Fact Sheet
• "R" Stampholders (Minnesota & Other States) - “R” Stampholders (Minnesota & Other States) – Instructions: Once in the National Board Manufacturer and Repair Directory web page go to the “Manufacturer and Repair Directory Search Form”. Select the state and stamps (i.e. “R”), then click on the “Search” button to obtain the “R” stampholders for the selected state.

Reports, publications and fact sheets:

Disclaimer on Manufacturer Information: The MDA makes no claims as to either the accuracy of the manufacturer information being provided or the fact that the latest version of manufacturer information is the most current. Contact the equipment manufacturer directly for the most accurate and current information. Failure to contact the manufacturer for necessary equipment information may result in equipment not being installed correctly and may jeopardize the safety of persons using the equipment. ALWAYS properly bleed off all equipment and/or tanks of anhydrous ammonia prior to maintenance to insure the safety of the persons working on, using, or located nearby the equipment.

• 2012 Anhydrous Ammonia Compliance Alert
• Anhydrous Ammonia Storage Inspection Specification VHS Video and DVD: This VHS video and DVD provides specifications for performing your own inspection. The VHS video and DVD is time coded to allow for selective viewing. The Anhydrous Ammonia Storage Inspection Specification Video table of contents (PDF: 44 KB / 4 pages) provides a guide for view of selective areas of the video. This VHS video and DVD can be obtained from Duplication Factory, 4275 Norex Drive, Chaska, MN 55318. Call 1-800-279-2009, ext. 127. Ask for either the Anhydrous Ammonia DVD, Part #1093133 or Anhydrous Ammonia VHS Video, Part #1031152 
• Break-Away Coupling Device/Bleeder Valve Safety Alert, October 16, 2008 (PDF: 119 KB / 2 pages)
• Continental Break-Away Coupling Device A-HFC-112-G (PDF) EXT
• Continental Break-Away Coupling Device A-HFC-114 (PDF) EXT
• John Deere Pitstop Break-Away Coupling Device Operation Manual (PDF) EXT
• Break-Away Coupling Device - Parker Hannifin Pioneer Coupler - #3950-SA (PDF: 1.87 MB / 6 pages)
• Parker Hannifin - Pioneer 4500 Series Break-Away Coupling Device Installation & Operation Instructions (PDF) EXT
• Break-Away Coupling Device Instructions - Squibb Taylor Flo-Max Coupler, Model FM-1.25-1000, Revision 7 - November 2005 (PDF) EXT
• Break Away Coupling Device Instructions - Squibb Taylor RB Coupler 1 & 1.25 inch - Revision 6 - January 2008 (PDF) EXT
• Coupler Recall Notice, Squibb Taylor FloMax Pull-Away (PDF: 25 KB / 1 page)
• Ag Systems Inc. Super Shooter Swivel Stand & Break-Away Coupling Device Assembly Photos & Diagram (select "SS Stand" tab to access photos and to download Spec Sheet)
• Hazards of Anhydrous Ammonia When Used in the Illegal Production of Methamphetamine (PDF: 47 KB / 2 pages)
• Manifold & Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) Requirements (PDF: 229 KB / 2 pages)
• Pipe Welding (PDF: 100 KB / 1 page)
• Practice Safety When Handling Anhydrous Ammonia - NH3 (PDF: 493 KB / 2 pages)
• Pressure Relief Valve Installation/Replacement Record (PDF: 104 KB / 1 page)
• Procedure for Testing a Pressure Activated Bypass System (PDF: 167 KB / 1 page)
• Quick Checklist (PDF: 73 KB / 1 page)
• Safety Tips (PDF: 171 KB / 2 pages)
• Service Status Policy 
• Storage Facility Transfer System Guidelines and Requirements (PDF: 995 KB / 4 pages) 
• Storage Facility Protection Guidelines (PDF: 342 KB / 3 pages) 
• System Piping Requirements (PDF: 111 KB / 2 pages)
• Transfer Field Application with Nurse Tank/Toolbar Assembly (PDF: 21 KB / 1 page)
• Transfer from Nurse Tank into a Caddy Applicator (PDF: 26 KB / 1 page)
• Transfer from Storage Tank to Nurse Tank (PDF: 154 KB / 1 page)
• Truck/Nurse Tank Riser Area Pull-Away Protection (PDF: 381 KB / 2 pages) 
• Using Anhydrous Ammonia Safely on the Farm EXT

Forms:

• Letter to Equipment Owners and Operators (October 2009) (PDF: 26 KB / 1 page)
• Driver's Vehicle Inspection Report
• Equipment Inspection Checklist (PDF: 134 KB / 2 pages)
• Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota State Patrol Equipment Inspection Checklist (PDF: 109 KB / 4 pages)
• Storage Facility Inspection Checklist (PDF: 270 KB / 2 pages)
• Permit Application Information & Storage Facility Information 
• Storage Permit Application - New Facility (PDF: 117 KB / 2 pages)
• Storage Permit Application - Substantial Alteration (PDF: 118 KB / 2 pages)

MDA Contact

Ed Kaiser, Consultant
Ed.Kaiser@state.mn.us
651-201-6275
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division