# Allied Universal Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 08-0131 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2008-06-11 08-0131 response to Allied Universal Corporation concerning 172.516. ## Document text <<>> U.S. Department of Transportation Pipellne and Hazardous Materials Safety Administratlon JUN 1 1 EN8 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Mr. Robin E. Botle Regulatory Affairs Manager Allied Universal Corp. Transportation Services Unlimited, Inc. 390 1 NW 1 1 5" Avenue Miami, FL 33 178 Ref. No.: 08-01 3 1 Dear Ms. Botle: This responds to your May 8,2008 letter concerning the placement of placards on a vehicle under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1 - 180). Specifically, you ask if the solid black line inner border would meet the requirements of 8 172.5 16(c)(7). You provide photos in addition to your letter that show a CORROSIVE placard mounted on a white tank. Section 172.5 16(a)(7) states that each placard on a transport vehicle must be affixed to a background of contrasting color, or must have a dotted or solid line outer border which contrasts with the background color. From the photos you provided it appears that the black and white CORROSIVE placard is mounted on a white tank. If this is the case, the whites may be considered non-contrasting. Assuming they are non-contrasting, the placard must have a dotted or solid line outer border, as described in § 172.5 19(b)(2) and depicted in 172.558. A solid black line inner border does not satisfy the requirement in 8 172.5 16(c)(7). I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance. Sincerely, / Chief, Standards Development Office of Hazardous Materials Standards <<>> I n t e r p r e t a t i o n Quest i o n P l e a s e f i n d a t t a c h e d a r e c e n t c i t a t i o n from t h e S t a t e of Georgia. We a r e q u e s t i o n i n g b o t h c i t a t i o n s , b u t t h e one we would l i k e you t o review i n v o l v e s t h e p l a c a r d . The c i t a t i o n says we a r e i n v i o l a t i o n o f 49 CFR 1 7 2 . 5 1 6 ( ~ ) ( 7 ) . We have a l s o a t t a c h e d two photos of t h e p l a c a r d s i n q u e s t i o n d i s p l a y e d on o u r c a r g o t a n k e r s . We have more t h a n 50 of t h e s e cargo t a n k e r s i n s e r v i c e w i t h t h e s e p l a c a r d s throughout t h e S o u t h e a s t e r n United S t a t e s . They c r o s s s t a t e l i n e s and have been r o u t i n e l y i n s p e c t e d by Federal and S t a t e i n s p e c t o r s . T h i s i s t h e f i r s t time anyone h a s e v e r s a i d t h e p l a c a r d s v i o l a t e d 49 CFR 1 7 2 . 5 1 6 ( ~ ) ( 7 ) . Furthermore, we b e l i e v e t h e p l a c a r d does have a s o l i d b l a c k l i n e complying with t h e r e g u l a t i o n . I n t h e a t t a c h e d photos d i s p l a y i n g a h a z a r d c l a s s 8 p l a c a r d (UN1791) on a c a r g o t a n k e r , do our p l a c a r d s meet t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of 49 CFR 1 7 2 . 5 1 6 ( ~ ) ( 7 ) ? Thank you. Robin E . B o l t e Regulatory A f f a i r s Manager A l l i e d U n i v e r s a l Corp. T r a n s p o r t a t i o n S e r v i c e s 3901 NW 1 1 5 t h Avenue Miami, F l o r i d a 33178 305-888-2623,ext. 183 RobinE@Allieduniversal.com Unlimited I n c . <<>> I Drakeford, Carolyn From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: INFOCNTR Friday, May 09, 2008 1:02 PM Drakeford, Carolyn 'RobinE@AlliedUniversal.com' FW: Placards, Need Your Help Importance: High Attachments: work 002. JPG; work 003.JPG; UXB800-080507094119.pdf work 002.JPG (1 work 003.JPG (1 UXB800-080507094 MB) MB) 119.pdf (91 KB ... Carolyn, This individual would like an interpretation on the issue addressed in the email below. Thanks, Rob ----- Original Message----- From: Heneghan, John Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:39 AM To: INFOCNTR ; Gorsky, Susan Cc: Robin Bolte (RobinE@AlliedUniversal.com) Subject: FW: Placards, Need Your Help Importance: High Ms. Bolte called back. 4/08/2008 Would like a formal letter of interpretation COMPLETED BY TELEPHONE, LEFT MESSAGE, 5/08/2008, ll:07AM GR Susan, Could someone from the infocenter please call Ms. Robin Eddy Bolte at 305-888-2623,ext. 183 to discuss these placards. Thanks, John ----- Original Message----- From: Robin Eddy Bolte [mailto:RobinE@AlliedUniversal.com] Sent: Thu 5/8/2008 10:lO AM To: Heneghan, John Subject: Placards, Need Your Help Hi John- Can you please forward this e-mail onto the appropriate personnel in your offices in Washington, D.C.? I felt e-mailing the photos would be the best way for them to see what I was talking about. Thanks, Robin <<>> - - - Georgia Department of Publlc Safety DRIVERNEHICLE €XANlINATION REPORT Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Report Number: GA0227004056 P.O. Box 1458 Inspection Date: 05/06/2008 Atlanta, GA 30371-1458 Start Time: 01 :34 PM End Time: 02: 11 PM Phone: (404) 624-721 1 Insp. Level: 11-Walk-Around, Bulk HM Insp. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES UNLIMITED INC Driver: A L W D E R , JAMES 6 3901 NW 1 15TH AVE License#: 053737616 State: GA MIAMI. FL 33178 Date of Birth: 0712311 958 USDOTW: 00781517 Phone#: (305)888-2623 CoDrlver: MC/MX#: 31 6059 Fax& License* State: Stat* Date of Birth: Location: VALDOSTA MilePost: 4 Shlpper: ALLIED UNIVERSAL COPORATION Hlghway: GA-38 Orlgin: MIAMI, FL Bill of Lading: 077761 9 County: LOWNDEs, GA Destination: MOULTRIE, GA Cargo: X. HAZ. MATL. (BULK) 1 VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION ! Make Year @g& License# Comwnv # vn# GVWR CVSA# QOS# I I 1 TT STER 2005 FL Y1332C 2558 2FWJA3CV85AU91228 52,000 i 1 2 ST OTHR 2001 FL C3956P 1503 2TOT21435YB089295 64.000 1 BRAKE ADJUSTMENTS: No Brake Measurements Required For Level 2 - "- - - 1 VIOLATIONS 1 Section Code T v ~ e Unit 00s Citation # Verii Crash Violations Discovered i I 396.3(a)(1) F I N N N Tractor; Audible air leak at relay valve mounted to left side of frame. I /172.518(~)(7) F 2 N N N Trailer; Class 8 Placards not on contrasting background; must have a dotted or 1 I I sallds line outer which contrasts with background; Front, L& arid Right I placards . - HazMat: 8 Corrosive material Placard: Yes Cargo Tank: 412 la! checks: NO Data for Special Checks. i I State Information: Consignee: SANDERSON FARM; Commodity Description: UNi791 HYPOCHLORITE SOLUTION 3; For Hire?: YES; Have CDL?: YES: CDL Required?: YES; DL Status Ckd? (Required): YES; Cargo Inspected?: YES; NOTE TO DRIVER: Thls report muet be furntshed to the motor carrier whose name appears at the top of thls repwt Signature Of Repairer X:. Fadllty: Date: NOTE TO MOTOR CARRIERS: Thls cerlmUm MUST BE SIGNED by a Motor Canler ORldel and RETURNED (If vlolatlons are shown) WflHIN 15 days b Me address on the tog of thk repon Out&-seNia, (00s) defects must be c~lrected in acewdanm WII the 00s notim, ALL NON-OOS VIOLATIONS MUST BE CORRECTED PRIOR TO THE NUCT DISPATCH. CERTIFICATION BY CARRIER OFFICIAL The underslgned certifies knowledge of appliceble State and Federal Motw Canier Safely and Hazafdous MatsW R u k , Regulatitme, Standards and Orden and dedares all operatkne wlfl be conductBd in compliance With such requlment6. The undwsigned certifies that all violations noted on this report have been comcted and action mken to aesure compliance with the W r Carrier Salety and Hazardous Matedal Regulations Insofar as they are applkabk b motor carriers and drtvers. NOTICE: False SWernents or Swearings are FELONIES (OCGA i81@-20). Signature OI Motor Canler X: Tith: Date: <<>> ; Documents 9172.516 Visibility and display of placards. (a) Each placard on a motor vehicle and each placard on a rail car must be clearly visible from the dlrection it faces, except from the directton of another transport vehicle or rail car to which the motor vehicle or rall car Is coupled. This requirement may be met by the placards displayed on the freight containers or portable tanks loaded on a motor vehicle or rail car. (b) The required placarding of the front of a motor vehicle may be on the front of a truck-tractor instead of or In addition to the placarding on the frant of the cargo body to which a truck-tractor is attached. (c) Each placard on a transport vehlcle, bulk packaging, frelght container or aircraft unlt load device must- (c)(l) Be securely attached or affixed thereto or placed in a holder thereon. (See appendix_ C l o thjs part.) (c)(2) Be located clear of appurtenances and devlces such as ladders, pipes, doors, and tarpaulins; (c)(3) So far as practicable, be located so that dirt or water is not dlrected to it from the wheels of the transport vehicle; (c)(4) Be located away from any marking (such as advertising) that could substantially reduce its effectiveness, and In any case at least 3 inches (76.0 mm.) away from such marking; (c)(5) Have the words or identification number (when authorized) printed on it displayed horizontally, reading from left to right; (c)(6) Be maintained by the carrier In a condition so that the format, legibility, color, and visibility of the placard will not be substantially reduced due to damage, deterioration, or obscurement by dirt or other matter; c)(7) Be afflxed to a background of contrasting color, or must have a dotted or solid line outer border which contrasts wlth the background color. (d) Recommended specifications for a placard holder are set forth in ap.pmld_ix-_C_of.thi.s. part. Except for a placard holder similar to that contained in apwndkC.to~h.i.spa.rt, the means used to attach a placard may not obscure any part of its surface other than the borders. (e) A placard or placard holder may be hinged provlded the required format, color, and legibility of the placard are maintained. [Amdt. 172-29, 41 FR 15996, Apr. 15, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 172-101, 45 FR 74668, Nov. 10. 1980; Amdt. 172-123, 55 FR 52601, Dec. 21, 1990; 65 FR 50452 August 18, 20001 <<>> • Jocuments enga a va a : CORROSIVE 8 file://C:\MCREGIS3\Docs\Doc.htm 5/6/2008 ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `345c5a5a7acb7c2a8e2260a24363903b534d034dc608fa619dfa575a10bc4860` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-22T14:57:15.170Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-08-0131` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "Allied Universal Corporation" ], "individuals": [ "Ms. Robin E. 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