# Associated Spring Raymond — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 06-0142  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2006-07-07

06-0142 response to Associated Spring Raymond concerning 173.306.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safety
JUL 7 2006
Mr. Thomas J. Fischer
Associated Spring Raymond
Ref. No. 06-0142
1705 Indian Wood Circle, Suite 210
Maumee, OH 43537
Dear Mr. Fischer:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the applicability of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to nitrogen-charged gas
regulated under the HMR, although you state: "Shipping via air will still require proper
springs. You ask for confirmation of your understanding that the gas springs are not
compliant with IATA standards for air transportation."
coding (UN1066), labeling (non-flammable) and the proper hazardous paperwork to be
devices are not subject to the HMR provided they meet the criteria specified in
Accumulators intended to function as gas springs or other impact or energy-absorbing
§ 173.306(f)(4). Such gas springs also are not subject to the International Civil
Aviation's (ICAO) Technical Instructions provided they meet the Technical Instruction's
criteria in Special Provision A114. The HMR authorizes the use of the ICAO Technical
Instructions with certain exceptions as an alternative to the HMR, but does not authorize
the use of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. For questions regarding the use of
the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, we suggest you contact the organization at
514/390-6770.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact this office should you have additional
questions.
Sincerely,
Hattie L. Mitchell
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
173.306 f) 4)
060142

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Jun-22-2006 02:49pm
From-ASSOCIATED SPRING RAYMOND
4198910419
T-520 P. 001/001 F-136
Associated Spring
Associated Spring - Raymond
Raymond
BARNES
1705 Indian Wood Circle
GROUP INC
MIntyre
Suite 210
3173.306
Phone: 419-891-9292
Maumee, OH 43537
Fax: 419-891-0419
Compressed Gas
June 22, 2006
06-0142
Office of Hazardous Material Standards
Was Dingon, Dacof Transportation
To Whom It May Concer:
Recently I had a conversation with Kurt from the Hazardous Materials Standards Office to clarify detail related to
Blow I have listed the specific DOT detail for which we are altempting to receive the interpretation against.
173.306(D(4)
absorbing devices arc not subject to the requirements of this subchapter provided each:
(4) Accumulators intended to function as shock absorbers, struts, gas springs, pneumatic springs or other impact or energy-
173.306(D(4)(i)
capacity expressed in L and charge pressure expressed in bars does not exceed 80 (for example, 0.5 L gas space and 160 bar
(i) Has a gas space capacity not excecding 1.6 L and a charge pressure not exceeding 280 bar, where the product of the
173.306(D)(4)(ii)
charge pressure);
and 5 times the charge pressure for products greater than 0.5 L gas space capacity;
(ii) Has a minimum burst pressure oi 4 times the charge pressure at 20°C for products not excecding O.5 L gas space capacity
173.306(f)(4)(iii)
degradable seal or other pressure relief device, such that the article will not fragment and that the article does not rocket; and
(iii) Design type has been subjected to a fire test demonstrating that the article relieves its pressure by means of a fire
173.306(f)(4)(iv)
burst strength, burst mode and performance in a fire situation as specified in paragraphs (f(4)(i) through (f)(4)(iil) of this
(iv) Accumulators must be manufactured under a written quality assurance program which monitors parameters controlling
section. A copy of the quality assurance program must be maintained at each facility at which the accumulators are
173.306(D(5)
manufactured.
transported subject to the approval of the Associate Administrator.
(5) Accumulators not conforming to the provisions of paragraphs (D)(1) through (f) (4) of this scction, may only be
that all product can ship via ground transportation with no special tags such as Non-Flammable or Hazardous Material.
Our current product meets and has been tested against all items as they have been identified. Therefore we understand
Shipping via air will still require proper coding (UN1066), labeling (Non-Flammable) and the proper hazardous papcrwork to
be compliant with TATA standards for air transportation. Your prompt response on this matter is appreciated
Please conract me with any questions the DOT might have.
Thomas J. Fischer
Sinccrely
Product /Quality Engincer
Associated Spring Raymond

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060142.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `84053df323eec92a808689f0b15ed5213de7ee071106fabfe3f23643804c94ce`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T19:16:45.886Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-06-0142`

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