# VP Buildings, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 01-0037
- **title:** VP Buildings, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2001-05-02
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 01-0037 response to VP Buildings, Inc. concerning 173.150.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-01-0037.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-01-0037.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-01-0037
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2001/010037.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

•
of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
MAY 2 1 2001
Ref. No. 01-0037
Mr. Randy Geesing
VP Buildings,
P.O.
Box 4369
Inc.
St. Joseph, MO 64504-0369
Dear Mr. Geesing:
This is in response to your letter and subsequent telephone
conversation with a member of my staff requesting clarification
of the requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations
commodity," ORM-D.
(HMR; 49 CFR Parts 100 to 185) pertaining to "Consumer
You state that your products, small
as "Paint" UN1263, Packing Group II and are packaged in
quantities of touch-up paint and primer, were initially classed
as "Consumer commodity," ORM-D. Specifically, you ask for
1-quart cans and 2-ounce plastic bottles that you ship by highway •
clarification of the consumer commodity definition, the
applicable consumer commodity requirements and whether your
products meet the provision in $ 173.156 (b) (I) (iii).
A consumer commodity,
is packaged and distributed in a form suitable for retail sale or
as defined in § 171.8, is a material that
consumption by individuals for purposes of personal care or
household use. Such materials may include paint and paint related
definition includes materials that are suitable for retail sale
materials. You are correct in your understanding that this
• even if not specifically so intended and, in fact, may be used in
some other fashion.
"Consumer commodity,"
With regard to the applicable requirements for transporting
inner packages (not over 1.0 liter (0.3
gallon) net capacity for Packing Group II) must be placed in a
strong outer packaging not to
exceed 30 kg 166 pounds gross
010037
173,150

<<<PAGE 2>>>

weight) .
or end with the ORM-D designation immediately following
The outer packaging must be marked on at least one side
the proper shipping name "Consumer commodity" (see § 173.316).
or below
Based on the information you submitted, we agree that under
§ 173.150, you may transport your product as "Consumer
commodity," ORM-D, provided it meets the general packaging
provisions in S$ 173.24 and 173.24a, as well as the limited
quantity packaging provisions.
is a hazardous substance, hazardous waste or marine pollutant,
In addition, unless the material
your product would also be excepted from the shipping paper
requirement. However, the marking exception in § 173.156 would
company's manufacturing facility to its construction site does
not apply because transporting consumer commodities from your
not meet the provision in paragraph (b) (1) (iii).
hazardous materials in the
You also ask whether you may package nuts, bolts and other non-
The answer is yes, provided the materials are not capable of
same outer packaging with the paint.
$ 173.24 (e) (4).
reacting dangerously with each other as set forth in
need further
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you
assistance.
Sincerely,
Hothe z. michelo
Hattie I. Mitchell, Chief
Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

McIntyre
8173.150
VP Buildings, Inc.
2250 Lower Lake Rd. '
Flammable Liquid
P.O. Box 4369
Except. st. Joseph, MO 045040369
Tel 816-238-7550
01-0037
Fax 816-238-8127 f
January 30, 2001
Mr. Edward Mazzullo, Director
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Research and Special Programs Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7* Street Southwest
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
VP Buildings, Inc. is a manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings and ships small
quantities of touch up paint and primer for use on our product. I am requesting written
may be renamed "Consumer Commodity": and reclassed as ORM-D material per
confirmation to verify that the small quantities of Paint, 3, UN1263, PG II that we ship,
173.150(c). Both the bronze primer (quart cans) and the acrylic lacquer touch up paint
173.150(b). Although the formulas and colors are specific to our product and not
(2 oz plastic bottles) meet the requirements of limited quantities as outlined in
intended for personal care or household use, it is my interpretation that they are
packaged and distributed in a form suitable for this purpose, and similar products are
available at many retail outlets.
is my understanding that if reclassed as an ORM-D, the only shipping requirements
I would also like clarification on the shipping requirements of a consumer commodity. It
_ would be: (1) strong outer package that conforms to 173.24, (2) 66 pounds maximum
immediately below the proper shipping name "Consumer Commodity". However, based
gross weight, (3) marked on at least one side or end with the ORM-D designation
on the exceptions in 173.156(b1), would these requirements apply when the small
quantities of primer and touch up paint are packaged with nuts, bolts, etc. in a large
jobsite and builder?
overpack box and transported with our product by contract motor carrier to a specific
I have enclosed MSDS sheets and a picture for your use. Please feel free to call me at
816-238-7550 if you have questions or need further clarification.
Sincerely,
Randy Geesing
Corporate Traffic Manager
RMG/gbw
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