IFCA has recently received questions regarding rules for transportation of nurse tanks on roadways. Click here to read a document IFCA produced that covers requirements when hauling nurse tanks to and from the field.

Click the pdf attachment for a list of the county specific LEPC phone numbers.

New rules in Illinois require farmers or those working on their behalf to be certified in order to transport, apply or work on ammonia equipment.  The rules, frequently asked questions and qualifcations for trainers are below.  Contact IFCA with questions.    

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) has an informative checklist for growers to serve as a reminder to keep safety in mind when handling anhydrous ammonia.

Click on "CT Inspection Facilities" to view CT facilities that are certified to perform testing for the Nurse Tank Inspection Program.

There may be some confusion on markings on nurse tanks that are enrolled into the NTIP program.  The DOT-SP 13554 is no longer required as a marking on the side of the nurse tanks.  Click below for examples of current markings that are acceptable and markings that would be considered a violation. 

There are several important compliance requirements for Illinois ammonia facilities and nurse tanks that go into effect on December 31, 2020. Click below to view the NH3 Rules Compliance Guide or to download the regulations (8 IL Adm Code Part 215).

Click below for the application form to the IL Sec of State to obtain a restricted CDL for transporting ammonia nurse tanks.  

The Illinois Department of Agriculture regulations specifically prohibit the addition of any additive, including air, due to incompatibility with ammonia system components.  This applies to systems used in custom application and by farmers, so please keep an eye out and help us spread the word that any compressed air system utilized in anhydrous ammonia application is not legal to use in Illinois.        

IFCA has received clear guidance from both the Illinois Secretary of State CDL division and the Illinois State Police enforcement division that a Class A CDL is NOT required to transport ammonia nurse tanks.  Ammonia nurse tanks are implements of husbandry and as such, the weight of the nurse tank is not factored into the CDL weight classification.  Ag retail employees need a Class B CDL with hazmat endorsement no matter what the weight or combination of the nurse tanks (1,000 or 1,450 gallon nurse tanks pulled in singles, in tandem or mounted side-by-side on a single running gear).  Or, a restricted Class B Farm Service CDL is available to ag retail employees on a seasonal basis.  If you have any questions, please contact us.  

Remember when hauling anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks or other implements of husbandry after sunset,  the towing vehicles or implements of husbandry must be equiped with an amber rotating or flashing light.  The lights can also be operated during daylight hours but they are required between sunset and sunrise. 

If you have a reportable quantity (RQ) release of anhydrous ammonia equal to or greater than 18 gallons/100 pounds you have 15 minutes of knowledge of the release to contact the National Response Center at 800.424.8802, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency at 800.782.7860, your LEPC and local emergency responders (fire department, police).  Contact IFCA for assistance.    

Taking implements of husbandry, such as NH3 nurse tanks, across state lines has been a controversial topic over the last few years.  DOT has just recently clarified that implements of husbandry are not commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and therefore not subject to the CMV regulations.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) authority covers persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.  Therefore, when an implement of husbandry crosses state lines in interstate commerce it is not subject to CMV regulations since it is not a Commercial Motor Vehicle.

If a farmer customer is in possession of anhydrous ammonia and a reportable release of 18 gallons or 100 pounds occurs, it is the farmer's responsibility to immediately notify the proper emergency personnel.  Although your customers may not want to make the calls, it is also their responsibility per federal and state regulations to contact these agencies as well if the release occurs while they are in possession of the ammonia.  Both IEMA and USEPA have made this very clear.  A written follow-up report is also required and must be sent to IEMA and the LEPC as soon as possible following the incident.  You can help your customers with the written report and we recommend you do so.  

You can get a temporary ammonia training certificate if you have an employee who missed the regularly scheduled spring and fall ammonia courses. You can access the online training program by clicking the heading above. It will provide a temporary certificate after completing the program.  

If your employees or farmer customers will be hauling ammonia nurse tanks after dusk, the tanks must be fitted with an amber rotating/flashing light on the either the nurse tanks or towing vehicle.  It is a violation of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code to transport NH3 nurse tanks on a public roadway after dark without a rotating or flashing amber light.  

Chemical facilities that registered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must also complete Chemical-Terrorism Vulnerability Information (CVI) training.  Any information or correspondence from DHS relating to the Chemical of Interest (COI) at your facility such as anhydrous ammonia or ammonium nitrate, which required facilities to register with DHS, must also be marked as CVI and be viewed by persons who also have completed CVI training.  The training is available online and takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete.  Once the training is complete, you can print off a certificate of completion that states you are an authorized CVI user.  To access the online training, click on the heading above.  

IDA regulations require an emergency sign with letters of a minimum height of two inches including the name and phone number of the owner, manager or agent of the anhydrous ammonia storage location.  The sign must be located at the entrance to the site property or apart from the storage tanks.  The Asmark Institute emergency sign program goes above and beyond compliance with this regulation.  Signs are 39.5" long by 24" wide, are made of wind and weather resistant material and come printed with your company information for just $120 each.  Cick on the heading above to order a sign.    

Click on "R Stamp Welders"(above) to view repair organizations holding an R stamp for repair of anhydrous ammonia pressure vessels.              

Click the heading above to access the myRMP Suite of Guidance materials.  This compliance tool was developed by TFI and the Asmark Institute and is endorsed by USEPA.