{"operation":"document","citation":"00-0270","title":"Mississippi Transport, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2000-12-19","effective_on":null,"summary":"00-0270 response to Mississippi Transport, Inc. concerning 172.101.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0270.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0270.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0270","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000270.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n• U.S. Department\nof Transportation\n400 Seventh St., S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nResearch and\nAdministration\nSpecial Programs\nDEC 1 9 2000\nMr. Thomas H. Hamilton\nDirector of Safety\nRef. No. 00-00270\nMississippi Transport, Inc.\nP.O. Box 209\nStillwater, MN 55082\nDear Mr. Hamilton:\nThis responds to your letter regarding the classification of a\npetroleum product (fuel oil #6) under the Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) and the railroad grade\nstopping requirement under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety\nRegulations (EMCSR; 49 CFR Parts 390-397).\nYour question\nconcerning the railroad grade stopping requirement is being\nreferred to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration\nanswered\n(EMCSA) for response.\nYour HMR inquiry is paraphrased\nand\nas follows:\nQ.\nflashpoint of 250°F. The product is loaded and transported\nWe transport a\npetroleum product (fuel oil #6) with a\nat a temperature of\n230°-250°F.\nPlease confirm whether this\nproduct is either a flammable liquid, combustible liquid, or\nan elevated temperature material.\nA. Based upon your description of the product, it is an\nas a\nmaterial in a liquid phase with a flash point at or above\n37.8 C (100 F) that is intentionally heated and offered for\ntransportation or transported at or above its flash point in\na bulk packaging. See definition in $ 171.8. The product\ndoes not meet the definition in S 173.120 (b) (1) and (2) of a\ncombustible liquid, which is defined as a liquid, not\nmeeting any other hazard class in the HMR, having a\nflashpoint\nabove 100°F and below\n200°F. The product's\nhazard class would be determined based upon the temperature\nat which the product is loaded or offered for\ntransportation.\nIf the product is loaded or transported at a temperature at\nor above 250°E, it would be properly described as \"Elevated\ntemperature liquid, flammable, n.o.s., Class 3, UN3256,\nSection 173.120(a) defines a flammable liquid\ntemperature material as any material in a\nflashpoint at or above 100°F that is\nintentionally heated and offered for transportation or\ntransported at or above its flashpoint in a bulk packaging.\n00-0270\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nIf the product is loaded or transported at a temperature\nbelow 250°E, it would be properly described as \"Elevated\nClass 9 elevated temperature liquid is a liquid that is\ntemperature liquid, n.o.s., Class 9, UN3257, PGIII.\"\nintentionally heated and offered for transportation or\nflashpoint.\ntransported at a temperature at or above 100°F and below its\nSee the definition of elevated temperature\nmaterial in § 171.8 and the definition of Class 9 in\n$ 173.140 (b) -\nI trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can\nbe of further\nassistance.\nSincerely,\nTitle e. mothel\nHattie I. Mitchell\nChief,\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\nRegulatory Review and Reinvention\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nStevens\n8172-560\nMISSISSIPPI TRANSPORT, INC.\nRope Shipoin Placarding\nTamp u\n00-0270\nSeptember 21,2000\nMr. Edward Mazzullo\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nUSDOT/RSPA/DHM/10\n400 7th St. SW\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nI am the Safety Director of a petroleum motor carrier in the state of Minnesota.\nRecently, Koch Petroleum Products, 12555 Clayton Ave., Hastings, MN 55033, a\nRetiner and Supplier of petroleum products in our area, changed the proper shipping\ndescription of a product that we have been hauling for years as a class 3 flammable. I\nam concerned about this change in description and request clarification in writing from\nyour office to put my concern at rest.\nIn past years we have transported number 6 Industrial Fuel Oil as a Class 3, NA1993,\nPacking Group Ill. This product is normally loaded at the refinery at a temperature of\n230 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The refinery claims lowest flashpoint to be 250 degrees.\nI have been informed that beginning this date the proper shipping description will\nbecome \"Elevated Temperature Liquid, n.o.s., Class 9, UN3257, PCIl\".\nMy concern here is that until this date the product has been described as \"Fuel Oil (No. 1,\n2,3,5, or 6), Class 3, NA1993, GIli and we have operated under this shipping name.\nThe Hazardous Material Table has this description. If it is considered a flammable class\n9 product?\n3 product when described as \"fuel oil #6\" how can it now become a non-flammable class\nPlease advise the correct regulation and placarding for transporting this product.\nI also request a clarification of regulation 392.10 Railroad grade crossings; stopping\nrequired. In the above issue if #6 fuel oil is now an \"Elevated Temperature Liquid\",\na driver transporting this product (or any similar class 9 black oil product) would not be\nclass 9, the exemption of class 9 from 392.10, paragraph 3 would seem to indicate that\nrequired to stop at a railroad grade.\n392.10, paragraphs 4 and 6 appear to override the exemption of transporting a class 9\nunderstanding of paragraphs 4 and 6 I have instructed our drivers to always stop at\nproduct if the product is transported in a cargo tank trailer. Based upon my\ninterpretation?\nrailroad grades with an exempt class 9 black oil product. Am I correct in this\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nThank you for your assistance.\nThomas i tarreli\nThomas H. Hamilton\nDirector of Safety\nP.O. Box 209\nMississippi Transport, Inc.\n651-439-5773\nStillwater, MN 55082\n-\n--\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\n§ 392.10\nject does not obscure the driver's view ahead or to the right\n(3) The commercial motor vehicle's cargo or any other ob-\nis safe to do so, the driver may drive the commercial motor\nor left sides, interfere with the free movement of his/her\nvehicle across the tracks in a gear that permits the com-\nsories required for emergencies, or prevent the free and\narins or legs, prevent his/her free and ready access to acces-\nmercial motor vehicle to complete the crossing without a\nchange of gears. The driver must not shift gears while\ncle's cab or driver's compartment.\nready exit of any person from the commercial motor vehi-\ncrossing the tracks.\n(1) Every bus transporting passengers.\nvided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the driver of a\n(b) Drivers of trucks and truck tractors. Except as pro-\nquantity of a Division 2.3 chlorine.\n(2) Every commercial motor vehicle transporting any.\ntruck or truck tractor must-\nwith the regulations of the Department of Transportation,\n(3) Every commercial motor vehicle which, in accordance\ngraph (a) of this section have been complied with before he/\n(1) Assure himself/herself that the provisions of para-\nis required to be marked or placarded with one of the fol-\nshe drives that commercial motor vehicle;\nlowing classifications:\nload-securing devices within the first 25 miles after begin-\n(2) Examine the commercial motor vehicle's cargo and its\n(i) Division 1.1\n(ii) Division 1.2, or Division 1.3\ncargo or load-securing devices (other than steel strapping)\nning a trip and cause any adjustments to be made to the\n(iv) Division 4.3\n(ii1) Division 2.3 Poison gas\nas may be necessary to maintain the security of the com-\n(v) Class 7\nmercial motor vehicle's load; and\n(vil) Division 5.1\n(vi) Class 3 Flammable\n(3) Reexamine the commercial motor vehicle's cargo and\nits load-securing devices periodically during the course of\n(viii) Division 2.2\nthe cargo or load-securing devices (other than steel strap-\ntransportation and cause any adjustments to be made to\n(x) Division 6.1 Poison\n(ix) Division 2.3 Chlorine\nping) as may be necessary to maintain the security of the\n(xi) Division 2.2 Oxygen\ncommercial motor vehicle's load. A periodic reexamination\n(xii) Division 2.1\nand any necessary adjustments must be made\n(xiv) Division 4.1\n(xiii) Class 3 Combustible liquid\n(i) When the driver makes a change of his/her duty sta-\n(xvi) Division 5.2\n(xv) Division 5.1\n(il) After the commercial motor vehicle has been driven\n(xvii) Class 8\nfor 150 miles, whichever occurs first.\n(iii) After the commercial motor vehicle has been driven\n(xviii) Division 1.4\nempty, used for the transportation of any hazardous mate-\n(4) Every cargo tank motor vehicle, whether loaded or\nof a sealed commercial motor vehicle who has been ordered\n(4) The rules in this paragraph do not apply to the driver\nrial as defined in the Hazardous Materials Regulations of\nnot to open it to inspect its cargo or. to the driver of a vehicle\nof this title.\nthe Department of Transportation, Parts 107 through 180\nthat has been loaded in a manner that makes inspection of\nits cargo impracticable.\nmodity which at the time of loading has a temperature\n(5) Every cargo tank motor vehicle transporting a com-\nJune 27, 1972; 38 FR 23522, Aug. 31, 1973; 60 FR 38739,\n[36 FR 18863, Sept. 23, 1971, as amended at 37 FR 12642,\nabove its flashpoint as determined by § 173.120 of this title.\nJuly 28, 1995; 63 FR 33278, June 18, 1998]\nempty, transporting any commodity under exemption in ac-\n(6) Every cargo tank motor vehicle, whether loaded or\n§ 392.9a [Reserved]\ncordance with the provisions of subpart B of part 107 of this\n[36 FR 8452, May 6, 1971; 59 FR 60319, November 23,\n1994]\n(1) A streetcar crossing, or railroad tracks used exclusive-\n(b) A stop need not be made at:\n§ 392.9b [Removed]\nly for industrial switching purposes, within a business dis-\n[36 FR 12857, July 8, 1971; 60 FR 38739, July 28, 1995; 63\ntrict, as defined in § 390.5 of this chapter.\nFR 33278, June 18, 1998]\ncrossing flagman directs traffic to proceed.\n(2) A railroad grade crossing when a police officer or\nPart\nSubpart B-Driving of Vehicles\nhighway traffic signal transmitting a green indication\n(3) A railroad grade crossing controlled by a functioning\n392\n§ 392.10 Railroad grade crossings; stopping re-\nwhich, under local law, permits the commercial motor vehi-\nquired.\ncle to proceed across the railroad tracks without slowing or\nthe driver of a commercial motor vehicle specified in para-\n(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section,\nstopping.\nmarked with a sign indicating that the rail line is aban-\n(4) An abandoned railroad grade crossing which is\nrailroad track or tracks at grade unless he/she first: Stops\ngraphs (a) (1) through (6) of this section shall not cross a\ndoned.\nthe commercial motor vehicle within 50 feet of, and not\nmarked with a sign reading \"Exempt.\" Such \"Exempt\"\n(b) An industrial or spur line railroad grade crossing\nlooks in each direction along the tracks for an approaching\ncloser than 15 feet to, the tracks; thereafter listens anc\npropriate State or local authority.\nsigns shall be erected only by or with the consent of the ap-\ntrain; and ascertains that no train is approaching. When it\n221\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nMATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET\nSpragueS.\nPUT OUR ENERGY TO WORK FOR YOU.\n#6 FUEL OIL\nTel (603) 431-1000 FAX (603) 431-6371\n195 Hanover St., Portsmouth, NH 03801\nRevised 10/97. Reformatted 4/99.\nAn Axel Johnson, Inc. Company\nPage 1 of 4.\n\"SECTION 1- MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION\n\"24 HOUR EMERGENCY *\"\nPRODUCT /\nINFORMATION\nCHEMICAL NAME\n#6 FUEL OIL\nprague:\nhemtrec\n800-424-9300\n603-431-1000\nPRODUCT /\nCHEMICAL SYNONYMS\nFUEL OIL, RESIDUAL FUEL\nBUNKER C FUEL, UTILITY\nHMIS / NFPA\nHAZARD RATING\nOIL #6\n2\nFIRE\n4=EXTREME\n0\nFORMULA\nCHEMICAL FAMILY /\n3=SERIOUS\nAROMATIC PETROLEUM OIL\n1=SLIGHT\n2=MODERATE\nREACTIVITY\nO=MINIMAL\nOTHER\nMATERIAL USE OR OCCURRENCE\nINDUSTRIAL FUEL OIL\nHEALTH\nSECTION 2 - INGREDIENTS\nCOMPONENT\n%\nC.A.S. NO. OSHA PEL\nOSHA\nACGIH\nSTEL\nTLV\nOTHER\nConsisting of a complex mixture of\nNO. 6 FUEL OIL\n100\n004\n68-553-\nmineral oi\n6 mg/M?\n5 mg/M°\nparatinic, olefinic, and naphthenic\nmist)\nhydrocarbons, plus fused polycyclic\nbenzene solubles.\nhydrocarbons (C10 and higher) as\nSECTION 3-PHYSICAL DATA 12704\nBOILING POINT:\nVAPOR PRESSURE (mm Hg):\n400°-1200°F (204º-649°C)\n% VOLATILITY BY VOLUME: N/A\nSPECIFIC GRAVITY (H20 = 1):\nVAPOR DENSITY (AIR = 1):\n6\nEVAPORATION RATE (n-butyl acetate = 1): None determined.\n-9402 - 1.00\nSOLUBILITY IN WATER:\nInsoluble.\nAPPEARANCE & ODOR: Thick heavy combustible liquid, black asphaltic odor.\nM SECTION 4 - FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA\nFLASH POINT: 150°-270° F (66°-132° C) (Tag. Closed Cup)\nFLAMMABILITY LIMITS IN AIR (% BY VOL.)\nLEL: 3.9\n| AUTOIGNITION TEMP: 765° F\nEXTINGUISHING MEDIUM: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide.\nUEL: 20.1\nSPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: Do not use water on a 6 oil fire in a tank or other containers since it may cause violent\noil which is above the boiling point of water. Consult NFPA 11 for additional information.\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\n:\nMATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET\nSpragueS\n#6 FUEL OIL\nRevised 10/97. Reformatted 4/99. Page 2 of 4.\nSECTION 5 - HEALTH DATA\nTOXICOLOGICAL\nTEST DATA:\nOral rat; LD50\nRESULTS:\n5300 mg/kg (NIOSH RTECS July 1993)\nACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS\nCHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS\nINHALATION\nIrritation of respiratory tract mucous menbranes,\nnausea, CNS depression, pulmonary edema.\nIrritation of respiratory tract mucous\nmembranes, possible mild chemical\npneunomitis with high concentrations\nINGESTION\nIrritation of gastrointestinal tract. Larger quantities\ndepression.\ncan cause nausea and central nervous system\nNo known effects.\nSKIN CONTACT\nMay cause skin irritation.\nresult in skin disorders and potential\nRepeated or prolonged skin contact can\nsensitization.\nEYE CONTACT\nIrritation of cornea and/or conjuctiva.\nNo known effects.\nFIRST AID\nPROCEDURES\nINHALATION: Remove from vapor to fresh air. If breathing has stopped give artificial respiration. Maintain airway and bloo\nperformed by qualified personnel. Get medical attention immediately.\nressure and administer oxygen if available. Keep affected person warm and at rest. Administration of oxygen should be\nINGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention\nimmediately.\nSKIN CONTACT: Promptly remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin with soap and water. If irritation develops, seek medical\nchemical remains (approximately 15-20 minutes). If irritation develops, seek medical aid.\nEYE CONTACT: Flush eyes immediately with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids until no evidence of\nI SECTION 6 - REACTIVITY DATA\nSTABILITY:\nHAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:\nHazardous polymerization has not been known to occur under normal\nStable under normal temperatures and pressures.\nCONDITIONS TO AVOID:\nAll sources of ignition (smoking, heat, flames, sparks).\nINCOMPATIBLES:\nStrong oxidants, e.g., chloring and concentrated oxygen.\nCarbon monoxide and other unidentified organic compounds may be formed\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\nMATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET\nSpragueS\n#6 FUEL OIL\nRevised 10/97. Reformatted 4/99. Page 3 of 4.\nRESPIRATORY PROTECTION:\nSECTION 7 - SPECIAL PROTECTION\nUse with adequate ventilation. For large spills or when\ncompleung work in contined spaces, use a mask with an organic\nVENTILATION\nLOCAL EXHAUST:\nvapor cartridge or positive pressure air supplied (SCBA) unit\nMECHANICAL\nOutdoors, work upwind.\nEYE PROTECTION:\n(General):\nRecommended for use in enclosed or semi-enclosed work\nareas.\nPROTECTIVE GLOVES:\nSplash goggles or shields with safety glasses\nEQUIPMENT:\nOTHER PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR\nRecommended to minimize contact. Neoprene, PVC.\nequipment to prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact with\nEmployee must wear appropriate impervious clothing and\nthis substance.\nSECTION 8 - SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS\nPRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND\nSTORAGE:\nof ignition. Prohibit eating, drinking, and the use of tobacco in the\nAvoid excessive inhalation or skin contact. Isolate from sources\npresent. Avoid prolonged contact with exposed skin and sunlight\nimmediate area of asphalt use or where asphalt fumes are\nSPILL AND LEAK PROCEDURES:\n- photosensitization reactions may occur.\nhazard area. Isolate hazard area and restrict entry. If properly\nShut off ignition sources (no smoking, shut off flames or flares in\ntrained, proceed with the following measures:\n1. For small spills, take up with sand or other absorbent material\nand place into containers for later disposal; and,\nwater courses and/or ground water. Observe local, state, and\n2. For large spills, dike far ahead of spill to prevent entrance into\nWASTE DISPOSAL METHOD\nfederal governmental regulations.\nsafety and environmental laws and regulations.\nRecycle or dispose of in accordance with local, state, and federal\nSECTION 9 - DOT HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INFORMATION\nPROPER SHIPPING NAME: FUEL OIL (#6)\nFLAMMABLE\nREQUIRED PLACARDING:\n1993\nFLAMMABLE OR COMBUSTIBLE /\nHAZARD CLASS:\nPACKING GROUP\nCLASS 3 (Flammable liquid)\nN.A/U.N. NUMBER: NA 1993\n(P.G.): III\nHAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE / RQ: NOT AVAILABLE | SHIPPING DESCRIPTION: FUEL OIL (#6), 3, NA 1993, PG III\nas co This roduct he predate are combusy be wiener see are a by andy. reassed.\nSECTION 10 - EPA SARA TITLE III INFORMATION\nSECTION 311/312\nACUTE: YES\nHAZARD CLASSIFICATION:\nFIRE: YES\n| PRESSURE: NO\nI CHRONIC: YES\nREACTIVE: NO\nSECTION 11 - REMARKS\nNone\n\n<<<PAGE 9>>>\n\nMATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET\nSprague S\n#6 FUEL OIL\nRevised 10/97. Reformatted 4/99. Page 4 of 4.\nSECTION 12 - ADDITIONAL REGULATORY DATA\nREPORTABLE COMPONENTS:\nFEDERAL EPA\n%\nSARA RQ\nCERCLA\nRCRA NO.\nN/A\nRQ\nunfamiliar, no responsibility is assumed for the results of its use. The person receiving this information shall make his\n\n<<<PAGE 10>>>\n\nMISSISSIPPI TRANSPORT, INC.\n$0.330\n2930 Quant Ave. No.\n$0.\nStillwater, MN 55082\nP.O. Box 209\nEI SEE 11\nMr. Edward Mazzullo\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nUSDOT/RSPA/DHM/10\n400 7th St SW\nWashington, DC 20590\n-","truncated":false,"body_characters":17309}