# Caterpillar, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 12-0039  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2012-04-11

12-0039 response to Caterpillar, Inc. concerning 173.22.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S, Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
APR 1 1 2012
Mr. Jerry A. Shipman
Environmental, Safety, and Health Manager
Caterpillar, Inc.
500 N. Morton Ave.
Morton, IL 61550
Reference No.: 12-0039
Dear Mr. Shipman:
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington. DC 20590
This is in response to your January 27, 2012letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) as they pertain to the classification
of generators. Specifically you ask if generators powered by diesel fuel or gasoline should
be classified as UN 3166 Vehicle Flammable Liquid Powered.
The answer is no. While it is ultimately the responsibility of the shipper to properly
classify their hazardous materials shipments in accordance with§ 173.22(a)(l), it is the
opinion of this office that a generator powered by an internal combustion engine is most
appropriately classified as either Engines, internal combustion, flammable gas powered or
Engines, internal combustion, flammable liquid powered (both UN 3166).
I trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Si cerely,
/~B((£#
Senior Regulatory Advisor
Standards and Rulemaking Division

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Sent:
To:
Subject: Monday, January 30, 2012 12:31 PM
Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
FW: Choosing Correct Shipping Name
Hi Carolyn,
Mr. Shipman requested this e-mail be forwarded as a fonnalletter of inteqxetation during his 1/27/12 phone
call with Chris Ludwa in the HMIC.
Thanks,
Victoria
Victoria Lehman
Hazmat Information Center (HMIC}
http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/info-center
{202) 366-1035
From: Jerry A. Shipman [mailto:Shipman Jerry A@cat.coml
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 10:07 AM
To: PHMSA HM InfoCenter
Subject: Choosing Correct Shipping Name
I have generators that is powered by diesel fuel and gasoline being shipped by ocean. I know these are considered
equipment, but "Equipment, Flammable liquid Powered is not an option. I think these would fall into the UN3166, Vehicle,
Flammable Liquid Powered, 9. They have internal combustion engines installed in them therefore can not be considered
an engine. I am correct in this statement.
Thank You,
Jerry A. Shipman
Office: (309) 266-3932
1

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2012/120039.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `aa195c7d021bbf8107e0ccd507282a376e108a6db1e6bdebc40559c7f6ea28cd`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T04:59:31.890Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-12-0039`

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