# Thomas J. Leech, III — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 02-0121 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2002-07-03 02-0121 concerning 173.120. ## Document text <<>> .... - U.s. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 Research and Administration Special Programs JUL 3 2002 Mr. Thomas J. Leech, III Environmental Consultant Ref. No. 02-0121 3720 Plum Point Drive E Olive Branch, MS 38654-8000 Dear Mr. Leech: This responds to your April 16, 2002 letter requesting clarification on the appropriate test method under § 173.120 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask which test method must be used to determine if a material sustains combustion when reclassifying a flammable liquid as a combustible liquid under § 173.120. According to your letter a flammable liquid was tested using both the ASTM 4206 test method and Appendix H test method. The results of the testing indicated that the liquid did not sustain combustion using the ASTM 4206 test method and did sustain combustion using the Appendix H test method. The Appendix H test method requires that the material be tested at approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the ASTM 4206 test method. It is your understanding that § 173.120(b)(3) appears to allow for either test method to be used in determining if a material sustains combustion. You ask if you may use either test method even when different results are obtained from the two test methods. Your understanding of § 173.120(b)(3) of the HMR is correct. You may use either test method in determining if a material sustains combustion. And it is the shipper's responsibility to properly class, describe, and package hazardous material for shipment. Regarding the different test results you obtained, you did not provide enough information in your letter, e.g., the material safety data sheet and applicable test data on the material in question, for us to provide you with a more specific response from this Office. I hope this answers your inquiry. Sincerely, Demotillo Delmer F. Billings Chief, Standards Development Office of Hazardous Materials Standards • <<>> • THOMAS J. LEECH, III Boothe Environmental Consultant = 3720 Plum Point Drive E $173.120 (b) (3) Olive Branch, MS 38654-8000 Classification 02-0121 April 16, 2002 Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10) Washington, D.C. 20590-0001 400 7th Street S.W -- Subject: Reclassification of a Combustible Liquid Per 49 CFR Part 173:120 - - - - Choosing Test Method and Results Dear Mr. Mazzullo: I would like an interpretation related to selecting the test method and results for reclassification of a flammable liquid to a combustible liquid. A flammable liquid was tested using both ASTM 4206 and Appendix H of 49 CFR 173. The results of the testing indicated that the liquid did not sustain combustion using the ASTM 4206 test method and did sustain combustion using the Appendix H test method. The Appendix H test method requires that the material be tested at approximately 20 degrees Farenheit higher than the ASTM 4206 test. 49 CFR Part 173.120 (b)(3) appears to allow for either test method to be used in determining if a material sustains combustion. Does this mean that the test method can be chosen even when you have run both tests and obtained different results? Please contact me at 901-399-5158 if you have any questions concerning this matter. Sincerely; - Ig Leache Thomas J. Leech, III <<>> Interpretation Letters Requester Thomas J. Leech, III Date Received: 4/26/2002 Company Thomas J. Leech, III Tracking Number: 02-0121 Phone (901) 399-5158 Revision Date: 4/26/2002 Date Assigned 4/26/2002 Date of Letter 4/16/2002 Staff Boothe First Draft Due: 5/17/2002 Section 173.120(b)(3) First Draft Dato: 5/17/2802 Subject Classification concurrence Status Status Date Sign Date Signor HBPR Copy to Docket Copy to DHM-60 0] Comment soapital care for ten sale. I cal for tea Cata la I houl not ill'i tea hate got to called nu rechain to regula to data 51162. <<>> the A pia! Shanks you! Die e/zhz <<>> 5/11 De Tech, Custerd, for wet DItm.z0 *Interin at Baot Pet me Today 571262 Bea at t TRS 5/1/02 del - ENTERED 13/02 Let late you selly: emp a rower, lud, hone 7/3/01 « Ат not recein anything. So I'm safenten 112, 4 send 5 Свиле водоч-то. Thanks, inge a pullinda draft seed pa by comersation In the slimitted mne at lither lea mettod.... Thank spot? BID recene dellin data, I'll let pa Know. <<>> THOMAS J LEECH, III 3720 PLUM POINT DRIVE E ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT OLIVE BRANCH MS 38654 ito. AP: 1 c0 2 /C3/ALA POMETEE Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10) Director Office of Haz Materials Standards 400 7th Street SW Washington DC 20590-0001 ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `335f989f59312b9876ac547fca6ee11de45bae2056b7a92b8d67cac48adb53e3` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-24T19:56:08.736Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-02-0121` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [], "individuals": [ "Thomas J. 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