# Forth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 10-0172  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2010-10-01

10-0172 response to Forth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC concerning 173.120, 173.2.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Washington, D.C. 20590
Safety Administration
OCT 1 2010
Ms. Michele L. Frozena
Forth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC
2737 South Ridge Road, Suite 600
P.O. Box 12326
Green Bay, WI 54307-2326
Ref. No.: 10-0172
Dear Ms. Frozena:
This responds to your letter dated August 16, 2010 requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask if "Waste combustible
liquid, N.O.S., NA 1993, III" is the appropriate shipping description for a waste mixture that
contains xylene (F003), methylene chloride (F002), and toluene (F005), and has a flashpoint
between 190 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit; or, whether the waste material should be described as a
Class 9 (miscellaneous) material.
A "combustible liquid" (see § 173.120(b)(l» is defined as a material that has a flash point above
60.5 degrees Celsius (141 degrees Farenheit) and below 93 degrees Celsius (200 degrees Farenheit)
that does not meet the definition of any other hazard class under the HMR. A "hazardous waste"
(see § 171.8) is defined as a material that is subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements
ofthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specified in 40 CFR part 262.
Section 173.2a describes how to properly class a material having more than one hazard. In
accordance with § 173.2a, the combustible liquid hazard takes precedence over a Class 9
(miscellaneous) hazard. Further, the word "waste" must precede the proper shipping name for a
material that meets the definition of a "hazardous waste" (see § 172.101(c)(9». A material properly
classed and described as "Waste combustible liquid, n.o.s., NA 1993, III" must meet both the
definition ofa "hazardous waste" and "combustible liquid", as outlined above. We cannot make
this determination based on the information you provide. It is the shipper's responsibility to

<<<PAGE 2>>>

properly class and describe a hazardous material (§ 173.22). Ifyou determine that your material is a
hazardous waste and a combustible liquid, and it does not meet the definition of any other hazard
class, then it may be appropriately classed and described as it appears above.
I hope this information is helpful. Ifwe can be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
Ben Supko
Acting Chief: Standards Development
Office ofHazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

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August 16, 2010
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
Director, Office ofHazardous Materials Standards
U.S. DOTIPHMSA (PHH-I0) .
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
RE: Hazardous Materials Regulation$ Requirements
Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC is sending this letter to request written confirmation of
the applicability of the Hazardolls Materials Regulations (HMRs) under 173.150 to one of our
clients.
A hazardous waste is being shipped in non-bulk packaging. This waste is hazardous because it
contains small amounts of xylene (F003), methylene chloride (F002), and toluene (F005).
Although it contains these listed materials, the' waste is being shipped as a combustible liquid.
The flashpoint of the material, when tested, is between 190 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Currently, the company is shipping the hazardous waste with the following shipping name;
"Waste combustible liquid, N.O.S., NA 1993, III". Is this the correct proper shipping name or
should the hazardous waste drum be shipped as a Class 9 flammable liquid due to the fact that it
contains the F002, F003 and F005 constituents in small percentages?
If your finding states that it should be a Class 9 flammable liquid, please provide the regulatory
framework for that decision.
A written response is appreciated. Please send your response to Michele Frozena at
michele.frozena@foth.com or at Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC, 2737 South Ridge
Road, Suite 600, P.O. Box 12326, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54307-2326. lfyou have any
questions, please call Michele Frozena at (920)496-6767. .
Sincerely,
Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC
Ul1~~~~
MicheleL. Frozena '(J - Sheryl Pham
Lead Environmental Scientist Lead Engineer
X:\OB\PS\2010\OOlOS012\HazmatIL-Haz Materials Reg Reqrnnts,doc
2737 South Ridge Road, Suite 600. P.O. Box 12326. Green Bay, WI 54307-2326 • (920) 497-2500. F,ax: (920) 497-8516

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2010/100172.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `4265a36df922017411c832ea4318632d4c02b362fc6c5e0205cdc3a6612e610b`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T20:30:40.511Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-10-0172`

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