# ICC Compliance Center — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 15-0166 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 2015-12-15 15-0166 response to ICC Compliance Center concerning 171.12, 171.22, 171.23, 171.24, 171.25, 172.332, 172.338. ## Document text <<>> U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Materials Safet ipeline and Hazardou: Administration DEC 1 5 2015 Ms. Sändra Miller Regulatory Specialist ICC Compliance Center 2150 Liberty Drive Suite 1 Niagara Falls, NY 14304 Reference No. 15-0166 Dear Ms. Miller: This responds to your email, dated August 10, 2015, in which you request clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically you ask for guidance concerning 49 CFR 172.332(c)(1). Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows. Q1. The quoted size for UN numbers is 88 mm (3.5 inches), with no tolerances mentioned. What are the acceptable tolerances for the size of the numbers (e.g., UN and other regulations refer to "at least... mm high")? A1. As specified in 49 CFR 172.332(c)(1), the size of the numerals of the identification number displayed on a placard must be 88 mm (3.5 inches) in black Alpine Gothic or Alternate Gothic No. on on a white background mm (3.9 inches) high and approximately 215 mm (8.5 inches) wide. For identification numbers that are lost, damaged, or destroyed during transportation, § 172.338 states that the marking may be done by hand without regard to the size and font requirements if the hand written markings are legible and written with an indelible marking material. In addition, Subpart C of Part 171 authorizes, with certain conditions and limitations, the offering for transportation and the transportation in commerce of hazardous materials in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions), the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, the Transport Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials (IAEA Regulations). Therefore, provided the applicable <<>> requirements of §§ 171.12, 171.22, 171.23, 171.24, and 171.25 are met, markings conforming to the international standards may be used in place of a corresponding marking conforming to the requirements of 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart D. Q2. There are 2 specific fonts specified. Are there any provisions to accept other fonts with similar appearance? A2. See Al. I hope this satisfies your request. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Duan APpl Duane Pfund International Standards Coordinator Office of Standards and Rulemaking <<>> antoreilli §/72.332 (c) (1) rarkins Dodd, Alice (PHMSA) 5-0166 From: Geller, Shelby CTR (PHMSA) Sent: Monday, August 10, 2015 12:40 PM To: Hazmat Interps Subject: FW: Font and size of numbers on placards Dear Shante and Alice, Forwarded is a request for a formal letter of interpretation. Thanks, Shelby From: Sandra Miller [mailto: Sandra. Miller@thecompliancecenter.com] To: PHMSA HM InfoCenter Sent: Monday, August 10, 2015 8:55 AM Subject: Font and size of numbers on placards Hazardous Materials Information Center: I am writing to request a formal letter of interpretation. Can you please provide guidance in regards to 49CFR$172.332 (c)(1)? The regulations state: "c) Placards. Display of an identification number on a hazard warning placard shall be in conformance with the following: The identification number shall be displayed across the center area of the placard in 88mm (3.5 inches) black Alpine Gothic or Alternate Gothic No. 3 numerals on a white background 100 mm (3.9 inches) high and approximately 215 mm (8.5 inches) wide and may be outlined with a solid or dotted line border." Based in this section my questions are: The quoted size for UN numbers is 88 mm (3.5 inches), with no tolerances mentioned. What are acceptable tolerances for the size of the numbers (e.g. UN & other regulations refer to "at least...mm high")? Are there any provisions to accept other fonts with similar appearance? There are 2 specific fonts specified. Thank you and I look forward to your correspondence. Best regards, Sändra Miller Regulatory Specialist ICC Compliance Center 2150 Liberty Drive 1 <<>> Suite 1 Niagara Falls, New York 14304 888-442-9628 ext. 230-http://www.thecompliancecenter.com Speak to our knowledgeable staff today for the latest news and products, services, and training relating to GHS. •OD 2 ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `6af738b6aaf394d93956dc0257b8730952160aa1cc079993b46b202def673328` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-23T22:07:36.941Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-15-0166` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "ICC Compliance Center" ], "individuals": [ "Ms. Sändra Miller" ], "refIds": [ "15-0166" ], "catalogDates": [ "2015-12-15" ], "catalogParts": [ 171, 172 ], "catalogRowCount": 7, "sourceRecordUrls": [ "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/node/67076" ], "linkedAttachmentUrls": [], "unavailableResponseUrls": [], "duplicateRepresentationUrls": [], "citedSections": [ "171.12", "171.22", "171.23", "171.24", "171.25", "172.332", "172.332(c)(1)", "172.338" ], "catalogPageUrls": [ "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/17112", "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/17122", "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/17123", "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/17124", "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/17125", "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/172332", "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/172338" ], "pdfUrls": [ "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2015/150166.pdf" ], "representations": [ { "viewUrl": "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2015/150166.pdf", "detailUrl": null, "detailHtmlPath": null, "pdfUrl": "https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2015/150166.pdf", "pdfArtifactPath": "data/sources/phmsa-interpretations/15-0166-7ec3d1fb8f.pdf", "pdfArtifactSha256": "98d193a19d68b8e5b6829fe3fefe308a4762c91c3832ce04ec467cdca24bf5f9", "extractedTextPath": "data/sources/phmsa-interpretations/15-0166-7ec3d1fb8f.v2.txt", "extractedTextSha256": "e4946e32ac2ab02b890e7f7186fbc03d0a0fe4956833c3502c710a71cd31e6be", "pageCount": 4, "extractionVersion": 2 } ], "caveat": "Interpretations apply regulations to the facts presented and do not create independently enforceable requirements.", "jurisdiction": "US" } ```