# Mr. Lucien DiMeo — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 13-0144  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2013-08-30

13-0144 concerning 171.1.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
AUG 2 9 2013
Mr. Lucien DiMeo
3 7 Birchbank Road
Shelton, CT 06484
Ref. No. 13-0144
Dear Mr. DiMeo:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR 171-180) applicable to the non-commercial transportation of
display fireworks. Specifically, you ask whether such transportation by you is subject to the
HMR.
The answer is no. As provided by § 171.1 (d)( 6), the transportation of a hazardous material by
an individual for non-commercial purposes in a private motor vehicle, including a leased or
rented motor vehicle, is not subject to the HMR.
I trust this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require further assistance.
Sincerely,
!2td14o'
D /1. Glenn Foster
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Lucien DiMeo
3 7 Birchbank Road
Shelton, CT 06484
203-943-0054
51-evens
~ 171· I
14 pp ;,·ca b1 .,, !y
/3-!Jit/i
7110113
Dear Sir,
I currently have a BATFE #54 User of Firework (display) permit. This letter is a request for
clarification for transportation of the firewQrks. I pick up the 1.3 display fireworks for my
personal noncommercial permitted show once a year. I use a personal vehicle to pick up and
transport them. I believe that HMR 49 CFR 171-180 does not apply to me per article 107 1 d.
I have a letter from the USDOT dated June of 1998 addressed to the American Pyrotechnics
Association, citing that "fireworks that are sold to customers for personal, non-commercial use
and transported by such persons are not subject to the HMR. It would be very helpful to me if I
had current verification from the office of Hazardous Material Standards regarding this. If I was
to be pulled over by any state trooper, I would like something more current, addressed to me, in
writing which would verify my interpretation ofHMR 49 CFR 171-180.
In speaking with the State of Connecticut office of the Fire Marshall, they are unaware of any
special state or local requirements pertaining to transportation, other than that of the USDOT. I
also am in possession of an email received this year from Arthur Fleener of the DOT agreeing
with my interpretation but unfortunately it is not specific as to the type of firework nor that the
transportation would be intrastate and if there was any need for escorts over bridges .I would
greatly appreciate a letter or email addressing these concerns.
I may be sharing your response to my letter with any state and local officials that may be affected
by my trip route. Thank you for looking into this for me.
Sincerely,
Lucien DiMeo

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2013/130144.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `7e93ceeddc142d23ad2d74340f8cec26ab06894b769c5b9d83fd4f7f9899317b`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T15:00:43.031Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-13-0144`

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