# H.B. Fuller Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 04-0123  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2004-06-03

04-0123 response to H.B. Fuller Company concerning 172.312.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
JUN: 3 2004
Mr. Eugene J. Secor
Ref. No. 04-0123
EHS/Transportation Specialist
H.B. Fuller Company
31601 Research Park Drive
Madison Heights, MI 48306
Dear Mr. Secor:
This is in response to your May 5, 2004 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CPR Parts 171-180) applicable to package orientation arrows.
Specifically, you ask whether the orientation arrows preprinted on your non-specification
fiberboard boxes used for limited quantities of hazardous materials as shown in your
accompanying photograph meet the requirements of § 172.312 of the HMR.
The answer is no. Section 172.312 of the HMR requires each non-bulk combination package
having inner packagings containing liquid hazardous materials be legibly marked, with package
orientation markings that conform pictorially to the illustration shown in this section, on two
opposite vertical sides of the package with the arrows pointing in the correct upright direction.
Depicting a rectangular border around the arrows is optional. The package orientation arrows as
displayed on your fiberboard boxes in your photograph do not conform pictorially to the
illustration in § 172.312.
I hope this information is helpful.
sesh
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
172.312 (a)E)
040123

<<<PAGE 2>>>

roster
$172.312(92)
Markings
04-0123
H.B. Fuller Company
May 5, 2004
RSPA
US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
400 SEVENTH STREET., SW
STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT, DHM-11
WASHINGTON, DC 20590-0001
Re: Orientation Arrows
Gentlemen:
on non-specification fiberboard boxes used for Limited Quantities meet the requirements of 49 CFR
During a recent internal DOT audit, the question arose over whether the "Orientation Arrows" preprinted
172.312(a)(2) which states "Legibly marked, with package orientation markings which conform pictorially
to the illustration shown in this paragraph ... " A photograph is attached to illustrate the question. In this
inches. These markings do appear on two opposite sides of the carton. I do not believe these meet the
case there is no baseline on which the arrows stand and the arrows are spaced far apart, roughly 4 to 5
requirements of the regulation; as such I am asking for the Departments official position on this matter.
helpful. I can be reached at 248-526-4783 during working hours.
As always, the Departments assistance is much appreciated; an expeditious written reply would be most
BEST REGARDS,
Heve beer
EUGENE J. SECOR
EHS/TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST
HB FULLER COMPANY
Madison Heights, MI 43306
31601 Research Park Drive
FAX: 248-585-3699
Phone: 248-526-4783
e-mail: gene.secor@hbfuller.com
File: DOT/Letters to DOT/Arrow Marking

<<<PAGE 3>>>

1L1

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2004/040123.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `83961771bab690fe1d4b54b833ef811b1490c53bdb75d38c51e0b278c0f2763b`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T17:44:25.518Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-04-0123`

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