# Challenger Transportation, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 99-0280  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1999-12-02

99-0280 response to Challenger Transportation, Inc. concerning 173.159.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
400 Seventh Street, S.W
of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
20590
Special Programs
Research and
Administration
DEC 2 1999
Mr. Jeff K. Ehrman
Ref. No.
99-0280
Challenger Transportation, Inc.
P.O. Box 247
Clinton, MO
64735
Dear Mr. Ehrman:
This is in response to your letter dated October 6, 1999,
regarding the shipment of electric storage batteries under the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
pecilically you ask if electric storage batteries meeting the
criteria specified in § 173.159(e) are subject to placarding when
shipping papers are provided (e.g., Batteries, wet, filled with
acid, 8, UN2794, PG III) .
answer is no. Under § 173.159 (e), electric storage batteries
Do onded or braced do as to reen Can an
(2)
In addition, any other material loaded in the vehicle must be
blocked and
braced to prevent contact with or damage to the
batteries and the vehicle may not carry material shipped by any
person other than
the shipper of the batteries.
Electric storage
batteries meeting the criteria specified in
$ 173.159 (e) are not
subject to the HMR.
The HMR include, but are not limited to;
shipping paper, marking, labeling, and placarding requirements.
If the shipper chooses to provide a hazardous materials shipping
paper, the shipper must do so in accordance
with all the
requirements in Part 172, Subpart C; however, the vehicle need
not be placarded.
I hope this satisfies your request.
faet
Gale
Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173,159
990280

<<<PAGE 2>>>

CHALLENGER TRANSPORTATION, INC.
P.O. Box 247 • Clinton, Missouri 64735 • Office: (660) 885-7571 • Fax: (660) 885-8615
BAH
October 6, 1999
8173.159
99-0280
Director OHMS
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
400 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 90509
Dear Mr. Mazzullo,
I would appreciate your written interpretation on the following issue.
I.E.: If the bill of lading shows: Batteries, wet, filled with acid, 8, UN2794, PGIII and
the batteries are shipped meeting all requirements of 173.154(2) and 173.159(e)
which allows exemption. Are we still allowed to take exemption 173.159(e) and
not plaquer the load if all requirements in section 173.159(e) and 173.154(2) are
made.? (copy of bill of lading attached)
I look forward to your interpretation and written response. Should you have any additional
questions or comments please contact me at 800-334-7269.
Sincerely,
Jeff K. Ehrman
President
Challenger Transportation, Inc.
JKE/dj
Attachment

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990280.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `67ce396da7eef727c79e8196739c7181abc133aed363e84bf9de178191763e45`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T23:05:48.677Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-99-0280`

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