# Mountain Safety Research — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 02-0219  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2002-10-16

02-0219 response to Mountain Safety Research concerning 173.306.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

20590
Real Program:
dministratior
OCT 16 2002
Mr. Joe Yelverton
Mountain Safety Research
Ref. No. 02-0219
3800 First Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134
Dear Mr. Yelverton:
clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR
This is in response to your August 16, 2002 letter requesting
product meets
Parts 171-180). Specifically, you request confirmation that your
the limited quantity provisions in $ 173.306 (a) (1).
Commodity" and reclassed as "ORM-D" material.
You also asked whether your product may be renamed "Consumer
You describe your product as a 4 ounce capacity can containing
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). You also state that your product
therefore, meets the definition of a "Consumer Commodity" as
is intended to be sold to consumers for persónal consumption and,
defined in § 171.8.
Your understanding is correct: Your product consisting of a
mixture of liquefied compressed gases in a container of not more
limited quantity under § 173.306 (a) (1) of thé HMR and is,
than four (4) fluid ounces capacity, meets the definition for a
therefore, excepted from the specification packaging requirements
and labeling requirements except when offered for transportation
by air. Further, the provisions in § 173.306 specify that a
limited quantity which conforms to § 173.306 (a) (1) and meets the
Commodity" and reclassed as "ORM-D" material.
definition of consumer commodity may be renamed "Consumer
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further
questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
cerely,
Delmer Billings
Office of Hazardous Materials
Chief, Standards Development
Standards
173.30%
020219

<<<PAGE 2>>>

CASCADE
Mountain Safety Research
DESIGNS
Webb
$173.306
MSR
Consum er Commodi thursday soun
Joe Yelverton
82-02.19
Quality Assurance Division
3800 First Avenue South
Direct 206-224-6194
Seattle, WA 98134
Joe.yelverton@cascadedesigns.com
Fax 206-682-4184
www.msrcorp.com
August 16, 2002
www.cascadedesigns.com
RSPA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (DHM-10)
400 Seventh Street, SW
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590-0001
To whom it may concern:
The contents of the can are:
the can is intended to be sold for personal consumption per the definition of a Consumer Commodity.
•
Normal Butane = 5%
•
2-Methyl Propane = 72%
Propane = 22%
In addition, I would like to request written interpretation of § 173.306(a) as it relates to the exceptior
11914), but in an 8 ounce can. Specifically, does a 4 ounce can (as previously described) qualify for an
of "specification packaging." Currently, we have a DOT exemption for the same material (DOT-E
exception, excluding the DOT exemption requirement?
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020219.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `271aa1bac4e6a65317f99e4d2c7e19b46419393b1b0c5509ae50522789cd37fc`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-25T05:00:17.885Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-02-0219`

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