# ADCO Products, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 01-0266
- **title:** ADCO Products, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-01-30
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 01-0266 response to ADCO Products, Inc. concerning 173.121.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-01-0266.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-01-0266.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-01-0266
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2001/010266.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

Or resportation
JAN 3 0 2002
Washington, D.G. 20590
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Daniel M. Dixon, Jr.
Health, Safety and Environmental
Ref. No. 01-0266
Manager
ADCO Products, Inc.
P. O. Box 457|
Michigan Center, MI 49254
Dear Mr. Dixon:
This is in response to your October 3, 2001 letter concerning assignment of a hazardous material
to a specific packing group under the Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR: 49 CFR Parts 171-
180). Specitically, you ask how to properly reassign a flammable liquid adhesive from a Packing
Group II to a Packing Group III when the liquid is too thick to complete the ISO 2431 (1984)
viscosity test in § 173.121(b)(2)(i), preventing the comparison of its viscosity and flash point
required in § 173.121(b)(1)(iv). I apologize for the delay in responding and any inconvenience
this may have caused.
You state that the adhesive has a flashpoint of 18°F and a boiling point of 185°F, does not
separate when tested, does not contain any substances with a Division 6.1 (poison) or Class 8
(corrosive) hazard class, and is placed in six one-gallon inner packagings inside one outer
packaging. You also state that the adhesive flows freely through an ISO standard cup until the
cup is 50 to 75 percent full, then thickens while standing and does not flow freely for the
remaining time required to complete the test. You further state that extrapolation of the test
results yields flow times over 100 seconds through the 6 mm orifice.
It is the shipper's responsibility to properly classify a hazardous material in accordance with
§ 173.22. This office does not perform that function. However, based on the information you
provided, it is our opinion that the test results you have already completed for the adhesive fulfill
the intent of the viscosity test prescribed in $ 173.121(b)(2)(i). No further calculations
estimating product performance are necessary, and the adhesive meets the criteria to be assigned
to Packing Group Ill as prescribed in § 173.121(b)(1).
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely.
Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.121
010266

<<<PAGE 2>>>

- Steven
ADCO
913.
Designing and Manufacturing Adhesive « Sealant Solutions
Packing Group
October 3, 2001
01-0266
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
RSPA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (DHM-10)
400 Seventh Street, SW
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
Subject: Viscosity Test-49 CFR 173.121 (b)(2)(i)
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
assigning a packing group to a product that we produce and offer for shipment:
We are requesting a written opinion concerning the following problem that we are experiencing with
We currently manufacture a liquid adhesive product that is considered a Class 3 flammable liquid based
set forth under 49 CFR 173.121 (b)(1).
the condition for 49 CFR 173.121 (b)(1)(i). The product does not contain any substances with a
We regularly conduct separation tests on the product and experience no separation; therefore, we meet
primary or a subsidiary risk of Division 6.1 or Class 8, so we also meet the condition for 49 CFR
73.121 (b)(1)(ii). The product is packaged in one-gallon cans with six cans to each package makin
final condition that must be met, 49 CFR 173.121 (b)(I)(iv), is a table comparing the viscosity of the
le capacity of the packaging six gallons. This meets the conditions of 49 CFR 173.121 (b)(1)(iii). Th
material with the flash point. This is where we experience our problem.
As a measure of the viscosity of the material, 49 CFR 173.121 (b)(2)(i) references ISO-2431 be used.
product to Packing Group III
ADCO Products, Inc.
4401 Page Avenuc + PO Box 457 • Michigan Center, MI 49254 + (517) 764-0334 • (517) 764-6697 Fax

<<<PAGE 3>>>

ADCO
Designing and Manufacturing Adbesive co Sealant Solutions
On October 1, 2001, I spoke with Dr. Spencer Watson of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office
of Hazardous Materials Technology about the problem that we are experiencing. His opinion was that
the conditions set in 49 CFR 173.121 (b)(1)(iv).
we appear to be meeting the intent of the viscosity test and that our product is viscous enough to meet
email at daniel.dixon@adcocorp.com. I look forward to your opinion.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact me by phone at 517-841-7207 or by
Sincerely,
Damel m. Sita, 3.
Daniel M. Dixon, Jr.
Health, Safety and Bavironmental Manager
tanager
4401 Page Avenue + PO Box 457 • Michigan Center, MI 49254 • (517) 764-0334 • (517) 764-6697 Fax
ADCO Products, Inc.
SISO 90014
305-9000
REGISTERED
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