# ISK Magnetics, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 02-0113
- **title:** ISK Magnetics, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-05-21
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 02-0113 response to ISK Magnetics, Inc. concerning 177.838.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0113.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0113.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0113
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020113.pdf
**body:**

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400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
MAY 2 1 2002
Ms. Mana House
Ref. No. 02-0113
Customer Service Manager
ISK Magnetics, Inc.
600 Montgomery Street, 38'h Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Dear Ms. House:
This responds to your April 5, 2002 letter requesting clarification on § 177.838(a) of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts. 171-180). Specifically, you ask if
§ 177.838(a) authorizes you to ship your Division 4.2 material on a flat-bed truck or on a soft-side
trailer, and how to load the material onto these types of vehicles.
Your understanding of §177.838(a) is correct. All of the hazardous material must be contained
entirely within the body of the motor vehicle and be covered by a tarpaulin or other suitable means,
and, if the motor vehicle has a tailboard or tailgate, it must be closed and secured in place during
transportation. In addition, shipment in water-tight bulk containers need not be covered by a
tarpaulin or other means. The use of a flat-bed truck or soft-sided trailer is authorized provided
the hazardous material is completely contained within the body of the motor vehicle, e.g., the
material does not extend beyond the vertical planes projected from the outer edges of the transport
vehicle, and, is completely covered by a tarpaulin if using a flat-bed truck. In addition to loading
guidance provided in § 177.838 of the HMR, procedures for blocking and bracing the material on
the truck is covered in more detail under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations contained
in 49 CFR Parts 390-397.
T hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Den HaSills
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
177.838
HINANIN
020113

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ISK MAGNETICS, INC.
San Francisco, California
600 Monrgomery Street, 38th Floor
Boothe
S.A. 9411
$177.838
lephone 415.249.47
Highway
ISKMAGNETICS
April 5, 2002
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
USDOT / RSPA (DHM-10)
400 7* Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20590 - 0001
Dear Mr. Mazzulio:
Can you piease provide us with a written interpretation of Section 177.838 in the
49CFR: (a) Lading within body...?: Does this mean that as long as the material
is not coming off the edge of the truck, the transportation method is acceptable to
the DOT?.
*:J9 ;00M2G
ISK ships Magnetic Iron Oxide in 1H2 drums [Self-heating solid, inorganic
n.o.s., (ferroso ferric oxide), 4.2 UN3190]. This material has always been
shipped in a van-type trailer.
According to sectior: 177.838, it seems this material can be shipped on, for
there a rule on how the material should be secured to the flat-bed?
example, a flat-bed truck as long as the drums are covered by a tarp? If ok, is
Also, can this material be shipped in a "soft-side" trailer? Is there also a rule on
how to secure the material on this type of trailer?
Thank you for your assistance.
Best regards,
Ms. Mana House
Customer Service Manager
Co: Cameron - Hazardous Materials Information Center (202) 366-3012
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