# Neal Langerman, Ph.D. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 98-0345  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1999-03-18

98-0345 concerning 173.124.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

1 Tronsportatic
s Departme
Speckil Programs
Research and
Administration
MAR 1 8 1999
8909 C Complex Drive
Neal Langerman, Ph.D.
Ref. No. 98-0345
San Diego, CA. 92123-1418
Dear Dr. Langerman:
This is in response to your letter and telephone conversations with a member of my staff regarding
clarification of the requirements for shipping flameless ration heaters (FRE) in full pack (multiple)
July 7, 1992 to the Department of Defense (DOD) concerning classification of these items. I apologize
quantities or in single units as components of mçals, ready-to-cat (MRE), and a previous lottar dated
for the delay in responding and hope it has not caused any inconvenience:
... to warm a field ration. It is used in military meals, ready-to-eat (MRE), and each MERE includes one
The FRH is a device packagod in a tough plastic envelope which, when water is added, generates heat
(Dangerous When Wet).
#RH. You indicated that the magnesium alloy contained in the FRH meets the definition of Division 4.3
Based on the information you provided, itisrow determinalion that a single:FRI device, containing
eight grams of magnesium alloy of less packaged in atough plastlo envelope within an MRE, is in a
quantity and form which does not pose a hazard in transportation and is not subject to the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HIMR), regardless of the number of MREs in a package This determination
does not apply to FRH devices shipped separately from MREs, or to FRH devices containing more
than eight grams of magnesium alloy, which must be shipped in conformance to the applicable
requirements of the HIR.
I hope this satisfies your inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
Director, Offiace of Hazardous
Materials Standards
173.124

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980345.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `59f161b104456ddc605d8b9ab8ae2e5f308be0a2038be56809256fb664570769`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T14:03:38.469Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-98-0345`

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