# Mr. C. Vleugels — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 99-0062  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1999-04-22

99-0062 concerning 173.32.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

US. Department
of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
Washington, D.C.
Research and
APR 2 2 1999
Administration
Special Programs
Mr. C. Vleugels
Ref. No. 99-0062
VanHool N.V.
Bernard Van Hoolstraat 58
B-2500 Lier Koningshooikt
Belgium
Dear Mr. Vleugels:
This is in response to your letter dated February 3, 1999, requesting clarification on the transportation
of "Sodium Sulfide, hydrated with not less than 30% water, 8, UN 1849, IT" under the Hazardous
Matenals Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask whether the provisions in
§§ 173.32c (g)(2) and 173.32c (j) concerning bottom outlets and filling density apply to a solid
material.
The bottom outlets and filling density provisions apply to liquid and flowable solid hazardous materials,
not to solid or non-flowable solid hazardous materials./ The provisions of § 173.32c (i) were *
developed to cover liquid and flowable solid hazardous materials transported in IM portable tank t
packagings. This provision was intended to minimize the risk of accidents resulting from slosh and the
shift of the center of gravity.
This has been further clarified under Docket HM-215C, "Harmonization with the United Nations
Recommendations, International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, and International Civil Aviation
Organization's Technical Instructions; Final Rule (64 FR 10742) published March 5, 1999. Under
Docket HM-215C, § 173.32c (j) has been revised for consistency with the UN Recommendations.
The provision excluding non-flowable solids is broadened to include viscous liquids with a low flow
rate. In § 173.32c paragraph (i) is revised to read "except for a non-flowable solid or a liquid with a
viscosity of 2,680 centistokes (millimeters squared per second) or greater at 20 degrees C, an IM
portable tank or compartment thereof having a volume greater than 7,500 L (1,980 gallons) may not be
loaded to a filling density of more than 20% and less than 80% by volume. If a portable tank is divided
by partitions or surge plates into compartments of not more than 7,500 L capacity, this filling restriction
does not apply."
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Meth
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
17332(c)(g) (2)
990062
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

VANTOOL
Bus and trailer manufacturers
Boothe
$173.320(9)2)
99-0062
Department:
SB IV
US Department of Transportation
Extension:
3411
Contact:
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Our reference:
C. Vleugels
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
ET/CV/ds - 99/074
WASHINGTON D.C. 20590
USA
floured 7 is cosity
Per
*
Lier, 02.03.1999
Use of IM-portable tanks for solids
Ogreater.
Dear Sirs
7
We have a particular question concerning the interpretation of the rules for the transport of
Sodium Sulfide, hydrated UN 1849. with not ie 95 than 30% water. Class&
Rules :
5p. 18.1
173,740
According to § 172.101 Column 8C
According to § 172.101 Column 7
packaging $ 173.240 - low hazard solid material.
to § 173.32 c (g) (2). This means 3 serially
special provision T8 - bottom outlets according /701122
mounted closures below liquid level.
(91(2)
According to § 173.32 c (j)
:
min filling density of 80%.
Question :
material?
Do we have to fulfil the provisions concerning the outlets and filling density for a solid
Awaiting your reply, we remain,
with kind regards
Hengels
C. VLEUGELS
I BAEYMANS
Technical Manager
4. Ч
Van Hool N, V.
B-2500 Lier Koningshooikt
Bernard Van Hoolstraat 58
Belgium

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990062.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `ca4514b4fb95af59b8c3d02a0b0f470b941741288ecc701921275c05ab825c00`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T07:21:55.117Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-99-0062`

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