# BAE Systems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 02-0173  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2002-08-16

02-0173 response to BAE Systems concerning 173.403.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

f Transportatio
.s. Deparmer
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Special Programs
Research and
Administration
AUG 16 2002
Mr. Michael S. Krupka
Reference No. 02-0173
Senior I.H. Specialist
BAE Systems
P.O. Box 0868, M/S MER12-1506
Nashua, NH 03061-0868
Dear Mr. Krupka:
...:
This is in response to your letter dated June 6, 2002 requesting clarification of the requirements
'in § 173.403, under the Hazardous Materials Regulations. (HMR; 49 CFR parts 171-180).
Specifically, you ask whether your devices meet the defining criteria for "Radioactive
instruments and articles".
You state that specifically manufactured bolts contain a sealed 4 uCi Am-241 foil source. Also,
you state that the bolts function as static-elimination devices within a Light Detection and
Ranging (LIDAR) system or a laser targeting pod used to guide ordinance systems.
Based on the information you provided, it is our opinion that your material would meet the
definition of "Radioactive instrument or article" as defined in § 173.403 of the HMR. Should
you have further questions, please contact this office.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
Hotte e mithell
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.403
020173

<<<PAGE 2>>>

:
BAE SYSTEMS
Betts
$173.403
June 6, 2002
Definition
Edward Mazzullo, Director
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, DHM-10
02-0173
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington, DC 20590-0001
Re: Radioactive articles and instruments
Dear Mr. Mazzullo :
i Pam writing to request your assistance relative to the application of 49 CFR173.403 (Definitions) as it relates to
Madioactive instruments and articres??...
BAE SYSTEMS obtains bolts that were specifically manufactured to contain a sealed 4 uCi Am-241 foil
source. These bolts function as static-elimination devices within a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system
or a laser targeting pod used to guide ordnance systems. The enclosed drawings show an illustration of the 4
uCi Am-241 source assembly i.e. Static Eliminator (first attachment); the cross-sectional views of the source
holder (second attachment); and the protective screen (third attachment).
:9030
Given the definition as stated in the aforementioned reference, I would characterize these devices as an
instrument or article. In an effort to ensure proper characterization of these items, I would appreciate your
comments and categorization for concurrence or other designation relative to these anti-static devices. Also, if
you need any additional information, please call me at (603) 885-9108.
Sincerely,
michace A. Клире. ......
490:0:
Michael S. Krupka
Sr. EH. Specialist
::".
1009: : 02.
Infórmation and Electronic Wartare Systems (130 DW Highway No., Merrimack) P.O. Box 0868, Nashua, NH
03061-0868 Telephone 603-885-9108 Fax 603-885-6415. Mail Stop MER12-1506
:00 p:095*

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020173.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `58836e5ef662eb2619c182cea7bce9fb21cc889ede0d02fc43c681c94bc82a4f`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T13:21:06.249Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-02-0173`

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