# Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 06-0261  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2007-04-06

06-0261 response to Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP concerning 173.220.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportatior
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
lazardous Materials Safet
ipeline ant
Administration
APR
6 2007
Mr. George A. Kerchner
Ref. No. 06-0261
1776 K Street, NW
Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Mr. Kerchner:
This is in response to your November 1, 2006 letter requesting clarification under the
Hapmenus Malarie roy alains He rammER liquid powered Specificaty. you
ask for clarification of requirements when shipping the buoy domestically and
internationally using different modes of transportation.
You describe the contents of the buoy, which has an internal combustion engine, as
flammable liquid powered, 9, UN3166."
Under § 173.22 of the HMR, it is the shipper's responsibility to properly classify and
lowever, based on the information you provided, it is our opinion that the buoy shoul
lescribe a hazardous material. This office generally does not perform this function
be described as "Engines, internal combustion, 9, UN3166."
Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows:
Q1. Is the buoy excepted from regulation when shipped domestically by motor vehicle or
rail car pursuant to § 173.220(g)?
Al. For transportation by motor vehicle or rail car, provided the fuel tank is securely
against short circuits and leakage (or removed and packaged separately under § 173.159).
closed, the batteries securely installed, fastened in an upright position, and protected
and other hazardous materials, if any, which are integral components are securely
installed, mechanical equipment containing an internal combustion engine and a
flammable liquid fuel tank is not subject to any other requirements under the HMR (see §
173.220).
compliant with § 173.220 pursuant to § 176.905(i)(2)?
Q2. Is the buoy excepted from regulation when shipped domestically by vessel when
173.220
060261

<<<PAGE 2>>>

A2. For transportation by vessel, provided there are no leaks in any portion of the fuel
system, the mechanical equipment is not subject to any other requirements under the
HMR
Q3. What markings are required when the buoy is shipped by aircraft, both domestically
and internationally?
§ 173.220 are not subject to the marking requirements of the HMR (Subpart D of Part
A3. Except as provided in $ 173.220(e)(2), shipments made under the provisions of
172). Under the ICAO TI, Special Provision A87 excepts articles, which are not fully
enclosed by packaging, crates or other means that prevent ready identification, from the
marking requirements of 5;2. Mechanical equipment packed (fully enclosed) in a non-
specification crate would be subject to the marking requirements. Mechanical equipment
secured to a pallet (and readily identified) would not be subject to the marking
requirements.
Q4. Is a Class 9 label required when the buoy is shipped by aircraft, both domestically
and internationally?
$ 173.220 are not subject to the labeling requirements of the HMR (Subpart E of Par
172). Under the ICAO TI, Special Provision A87 excepts articles, which are not fully
enclosed by packaging, crates or other means that prevent ready identification, from the
labeling requirements of 5:3. Mechanical equipment packed (fully enclosed) in a non-
specification crate would be subject to the labeling requirements. Mechanical equipment
requirements.
(without UN specification packaging) when shipped by aircraft, both domestically and
Q5. May the buoy be shipped in non-specification packaging or secured to a pallet
internationally?
Instruction 900.
Q6. May diesel fuel remain in the tank in the buoy when shipped by aircraft, both
domestically and internationally?
A6. A fuel tank for mechanical equipment that contains a Class 3 diesel fuel must be
drained and securely closed, except that up 500 mL (17 ounces) of residual fuel may
remain in the tank provided the fuel tank is securely closed. A quantity of Class 3 diesel
fuel greater than 500 mL may remain in mechanical equipment under the condition
outlined in § 173.220(b)(4)(iii). Under the ICAO TI. mechanical equipment must be

<<<PAGE 3>>>

shipped in accordance with Packing Instruction 900(a). Accordingly, Class 3 diesel fuel
must be drained from the tank of an internal combustion engine in mechanical equipment.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.

<<<PAGE 4>>>

WRF, LLP FAX CTR
Fax: 202-719-7049
Nov 15 2006 17:12
P. 02
Der kinderen
Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP
{|13.159
$113:220
Applicability
WASHINGTON, DC 20006
1776 K STREET NW
November 15, 2006
06-0261
202.719.4109
George
Kerchner
FAX
PHONE
202,719.7000
gkerchnier@wrf.com
202.719.7049
Virginis Office
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
SUITE 6200
7925 JONES BRANCH DRIVE
Director of Hazardous Materials Standards
PHONE
MCLEAN, VA 22102
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
FAX
703.905.2800
U.S. Department of Transportation
703.905.2820
400 7* Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
www.wrf.com
Re: Shipping Vehicle, flammable liquid powered
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
large buoy that contains the following materials:
I am writing to request a clarification on the shipping requirements for a
#2 diesel fuel with a flash point of >125° F
O.
Less than one gallon of anti-freeze/coolant
Three gallons of lube oil
arrangement (The batteries are marked NONSPILLBALE and meet the
6V sealed (nonspillable) lead acid batteries connected in a series/parallel
testing requirements in 49 CFR 173.159(d)(3) and 173.159(d)(4).)
The system is a sealed pressure vessel and weighs approximately 3200
A bladder-type 32 gallon fuel tank
pounds
Each unit will be secured to a pallet for shipment.
Based on our review of the U.S. hazardous materials rogulations and ICAO
liquid powered" with an assigned Hazard Class 9 and identification (UN) number of
Technical Instructions, it appears the buoy is classified as a "Vehicle, flammable
for shipping the buoy domestically and internationally:
UN3166. Therefore, we have the following questions regarding the requirements
1. Is the buoy excepted from regulation when shipped domestically by
motor vehicle and rail car pursuant to 49 CFR 173.220(g)?
2. Is the buoy excepted from regulation when shipped domestically by
vessel because it meets the requirements noted above and 49 CFR
176.905(i)(2)?

<<<PAGE 5>>>

WRF, LLP FAX CTR
Fax: 202-719-7049
Nov 15 2006 17:12
P. 03
Wiley Rein & Fielding up
Page 2
November 15, 2006
3. When shipped domestically and internationally by aircraft the buoy will
be offered as "Vehicle, flammable liquid powered," packed in a non-
specification crate or secured to a pallet, and the diesel will remain in the
fuel tank.
a) Are any of the following markings required when shipped by
NONSPILLABLE?
aircraft: UN number, shipping name, orientation arrows,
c) May the buoy be packed in a non-specification crate or secured to'a
b) Is a Class 9 label required when shipped by aircraft?
pallet without the use of any UN specification packaging when
d) Is it acceptable for the diesel to remain in the tank when shipped by
shipped by aircraft?
aircraft?
*
questions regarding these issues, I can be reached at 202.719.4109 or
Thank you for taking the time to address these questions. If you have
gkerchner@wrf.com.
Sincerely,
George A. Kerchiner
George A. Kerchner

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060261.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `f1c6667ec4645b7900b1b9ad0b6b0046beb6be9d46278b1887ec73746e3474ae`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-25T22:19:30.984Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-06-0261`

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