{"operation":"document","citation":"00-0272","title":"TRW Automotive — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2000-11-07","effective_on":null,"summary":"00-0272 response to TRW Automotive concerning 173.166.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0272.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0272.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-00-0272","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2000/000272.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n•\nof Transportation\nU.S.Department\n20590\nResearch and\npecial Program\ndministratiol\nNOV - 7 2000\nMr. Matt Hatfield\nReference No.: 00-0272\nHazardous Materials Analyst\nTRW Automotive\nOccupant Safety Systems\n11202 East Germann Road\nQueen Creek, AZ 85242-9361\nDear Mr. Hattield:\nThis is in response to your September 20, 2000 letter requesting a clarification on whether a\npackaging used for Class 9 air bag intlators and modules, packaged under § 173.166(e) (3) of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180), would be considered a single\nor a combination packaging.\nYou describe the packaging as an inner fiberboard locator tray positioned in the bottom of an\nouter fiberboard box. The air bags are positioned securely in the locator tray and covered with a\nfiberboard divider which encloses the top and two sides. A second fiberboard locator tray is\nplaced on the top of the first divider along with more air bags and a second divider. You state\nthat this configuration was tested and certified as a 4G single packaging. However, you believe\nthe configuration is a combination package.\nYour packaging configuration is a combination packaging. A 4G packaging may be used as a\nsingle or a combination packaging, depending upon the packaging provision authorization. A\ncombination packaging is one that consists of an outer non-bulk packaging (e.g., a fiberboard\nbox) and a separate inner packaging that is a \"containment vessel.\" See definitions in $171.8.\nSection 173.166(e) authorizes the use of an outer 4G packaging meeting the Packing Group III\nperformance level for the prescribed inner packagings, i.e. the airbag devices. The inner\npackagings (devices) must be secured within the 4G packaging to prevent movement during\ntransportation.\nI hope this satisfies your request.\nSincerely,\nHattie L. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nTRW Automotive\nCorbin\n11202 E. Germann Road\nOccupant Safety Systems\nQueen Creek, AZ 85242-9361\n173.166(e) (3)\nTel 480.722.4000\nHackagin\nSeptember 20, 2000\n10-070\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Safety (DHM-10)\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n400 Seventh Street, SW.\nWashington DC, 20590-0001\nRE: Request for Written Interpretation\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nThank you in advance for taking the time to review this letter. I am requesting\nclarification on whether our package meets the definition of a single or combination\npackage. We manufacture and ship air bags inflators / modules, pyrotechnic, class 9,\nUN3268 which we package per 49 CFR 173.166 (e) (3) specifically the 4G. 49 CFR\n178.502(c) states that for combination packages, only the code number for the outer\npacking is used, so when the regulations specify a 4G box I believe this may be a single\nor combination package. Our package consists of the following:\nInner packaging: A fiberboard locator tray is positioned in the bottom of an\nouter fiberboard box, air bags are then positioned securely in the nests of the locator\ntrays. Next a fiberboard divider is placed over the top of the articles. The divider is used\nto enclose the top and two sides of the article. A second fiberboard locator tray is then\nplaced on top of the first divider along with more articles and a second divider.\nOuter Packaging: The outer packaging consists of a fiber board box that is\nsecurely closed and further prepared for transportation.\nThis configuration has been tested and certified as a 4G single packaging, however, we\nbelieve that our inner packaging design constitutes an inner receptacle per 171.8, which\ndefines an inner receptacle as one which requires an outer packaging in order to perform\nits containment function. The inner receptacle may be an inner packaging of a\ncombination packaging or the inner receptacle of a composite packaging. Also several\npackaging instructions in 49 CFR 173.62 clearly state that fiberboard receptacles or even\nsheets of paper are acceptable as inner packagings. For these reasons we believe that our\ninner packaging as described above meets the definition of an inner packaging thus\nmaking our package a combination package.\nIf more information is required, please contact me at the phone number or e-mail address\nbelow. Any clarification you could provide would be greatly appreciated.\nHazardous Materials Analyst\nDaytime Phone: (480) 722-4447\nE-mail: matt.hatfield@trw.com\nTRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n-\ncatas\n250\n333 2591\n32E15907A\nBALLET\n:30- X 45\":\nкожно\n1 TUT EXFEE BASANE\nVI BETROE\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nTRW Automotive\nCERTIFIED MAIL\n11202 E. Germann Rd.\nOccupant Safety Systems\nQueen Creek, AZ 85242-9361\n2 20000 0520 0023 080 8994\n8311\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Safety (DHM-10)\n400 Seventh Street, SW.\nAttn.: Ed Mazzullo\nWashington DC, 20590-0001\n20590-0001","truncated":false,"body_characters":4926}