# American Electric Power — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 07-0026  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2007-09-18

07-0026 response to American Electric Power concerning 173.159.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

f Transportatior
I.S. Departmen
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E
ipeline and Hazardou
Washington, D.C. 20590
laterials Safety Administratio
SEP 1 8 2007
Mr. Ray Wirt
Ref. No.: 07-0026
Dear Mr. Wirt:
the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). In your letter you describe
This is in response to your February 5, 2007 letter regarding the transportation of batteries under
a scenario where electric storage batteries are transported with other hazardous materials that are
used for vehicle maintenance purposes or the safety of the driver. You ask if the presence of
these other hazardous materials affects the applicability of the exception in § 173.159(e).
As specified in § 173.159(e), electric storage batteries containing electrolyte or corrosive battery
fluid are not subject to the HMR for transportation by highway or rail if all of the following
requirements are met: (1) no other hazardous materials may be transported in the same vehicle;
(e.g., by the use of non-conductive caps that entirely cover the terminals); (3) any other material
(2) the batteries must be loaded or braced so as to prevent damage and short circuits in transit
loaded in the same vehicle must be blocked, braced, or otherwise secured to prevent contact with
or damage to the batteries; and (4) the transport vehicle may not carry material shipped by any
hazardous materials, even those excepted from all or part of the HMR (e.g.. materials of trade;
person other than the shipper of the batteries. If the transport vehicle contains any other
see § 173.6), the exception in § 173.159(e) does not apply. Materials necessary for the safety of
the driver or maintenance of the vehicle are not "in commerce" (e.g., fire extinguishers or road
flares required under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-397) and
integral safety equipment excepted under § 173.220(e)) and do not effect the applicability of
§ 173.159(e).
this office.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact
Chief. Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Hattie L. Mitchell
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.159(e)
070026

<<<PAGE 2>>>

2: 19rw
AMERICAN ELECIKIC rUWEK
No. 0142 P. L
•
Pollack
$173.159 (e)
Eamest R Wirt/CA1/AEPIN
To dot.comments@dot.gov
Batteries
02/02/2007 04:26 PM
CC
07-0026
bec
Subject. Question regarding 49 CFR Part 173.159 (e)
Dear Sir or Madam,
clearly understand that section 173.159(e)(1) ("No other hazardous materials may be transported in th
exception. However, what I'm unclear on, is does this prohibition also include items such as paint or other
ame vehicle:") prohibits transporting any other haz mat on the vehicle in order to take advantage of the
naterials (deicer, cleaning solvents, lubricants, etc.) in spray cans that are on the vehicle for maintenance
Thanks for your assistance and have a nice weekend.
BE Ray Wirt
Audinet: 920-7763
Cell Phone: 330-323-5525
Outside: 330-438-7763
Pager: 800-607-0458
Page 2 of 2

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070026.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `6a298cdadf42368bc6bab0460d8c5334aa0093a15e19f04e5ccd3c6cb6cb5a37`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-25T22:17:51.470Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-07-0026`

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