# HB Fuller Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 02-0045  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2002-04-26

02-0045 response to HB Fuller Company concerning 173.156.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Idministration
APR 2 6 2002
Mr. Gene Secor
Reference No.: 02-0045
HB Fuller Company
25200 Malvina Avenue
Warren, MI 48089
Dear Mr. Secor:
This is in response to your letter concerning requirements for shipping consumer commodities
under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you
ask about the exceptions for ORM-D materials in § 173.156(b)(1). Your questions are
paraphrased and answered as follows:
Q1
Are outer packagings of combination packages the same as "boxes" as that term is used
in § 173.156(b)(1)(i)?
Yes. The outer packaging of a combination package meets the requirement for "boxes"
for the purpose of unitizing under § 173.156(b)(1)(i).
Q2. Are orientation markings required if the inner packagings contain liquid?
A2. No. Packagings transported under § 173.156(b)(1) are excepted from the marking
requirements in subpart D of part 172 of the HMR.
Q3.
May individual combination packagings containing liquids and marked "Consumer
Commodity, ORM-D" be offered for transportation or must they be in another box or
overpack?
A3.
Individual combination packages containing Class 8 (corrosive) materials, as described in
3 173.150 )ch and i, or hey may be ofted it cocoa me the the provin
of § 173.154(c).
I hope this satisfies your inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.156
020045

<<<PAGE 2>>>

FROM :
FAX NO. : 8104471117
Feb. 11 2002 12:20PM_P2
Corbin
8173.156
February 11, 2002
US Department of Transportation
ORM Exceptions
DHM-12
Research and Spocial Projects Administration
400 Seventh St., S.W.
02-0045
Washington, D.C. 20590
Re: Orientation Arrows and ORM-D
Gentlemen:
for trcatment as limited quantities and, further, meet the definition of a Consumer Commodity allowing u
We have several products that initially are classified as Class 8, Corrosives (PG II & III) that arc eligible
o reclassify them to ORM-D. All of these are packaged in fiberboard cartons and marked on the carto:
xterior Consumer Commodity, ORM-D. The inner reocptacles contain liquids. These ORM-D materia'
Paragraph 173.156 Esceptions for ORM Materials at (b)(1) seems 10 indicate thaz ORM-D materials are
excepted from the roquitements of Subpart D Marking Roquirements if/when certain sub requirements an
completely clear:
met. We comply with the sub requirements. This raises certain questions, the answers to which are nol
1. Is the outer of a combination package considered to be the "box or baxes" mentioned in 173.156
2. Is the requircment for use of Orientation Arrows on cartons with inners containing liquids excepted for
(b)(I)I) since it is grouped with the words "similar overpacks?"
3. Can individual combination packages containing liquids, marked with Consumer Commodity, ORM-
ORM-D materials?
D, be shipped individually or do they have to be inserted into another box or overpack?
Ansivers to these questions and interpretations would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Here Decor
Gene Secor
HB Fuller Company
: Warren, MI 48089
25200 Malvina Avenuc
FAX: 586-447-1117
Phone: 248-526-4783
e-mail: gene.secor@hbfuller.com
File: /DOT/Orientation Arrows and ORM-D

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020045.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `711067efbadd96054b5461abc184f01b31272b71acdd0282f50fe3d743972616`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T07:21:17.201Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-02-0045`

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