49 CFR § 178.255-7 - Protection of valves and accessories.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s178.255-7"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 178.255-7 - Protection of valves and accessories."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "178.255-7"
section_name: "Protection of valves and accessories."
chapter_name: "PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS"
part_number: "178"
part_name: "SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGINGS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 5101-5128; 49 CFR 1.81 and 1.97."
cfr_part: "178"
---
# 178.255-7 Protection of valves and accessories.
(a) All valves, fittings, accessories, safety devices, gauging devices, and the like shall be adequately protected against mechanical damage by a housing closed with a cover plate.
(b) Protective housing shall comply with the requirements under which the tanks are fabricated with respect to design and construction, and shall be designed with a minimum factor of safety of four to withstand loadings in any direction equal to two times the weight of the tank and attachments when filled with water.