{"operation":"document","citation":"02-0121","title":"Thomas J. Leech, III — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2002-07-03","effective_on":null,"summary":"02-0121 concerning 173.120.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0121.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0121.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0121","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020121.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n....\n-\nU.s. Department\nof Transportation\n400 Seventh St., S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nResearch and\nAdministration\nSpecial Programs\nJUL 3 2002\nMr. Thomas J. Leech, III\nEnvironmental Consultant\nRef. No. 02-0121\n3720 Plum Point Drive E\nOlive Branch, MS 38654-8000\nDear Mr. Leech:\nThis responds to your April 16, 2002 letter requesting clarification on the appropriate test method\nunder § 173.120 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).\nSpecifically, you ask which test method must be used to determine if a material sustains combustion\nwhen reclassifying a flammable liquid as a combustible liquid under § 173.120.\nAccording to your letter a flammable liquid was tested using both the ASTM 4206 test method and\nAppendix H test method. The results of the testing indicated that the liquid did not sustain combustion\nusing the ASTM 4206 test method and did sustain combustion using the Appendix H test method. The\nAppendix H test method requires that the material be tested at approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit\nhigher than the ASTM 4206 test method. It is your understanding that § 173.120(b)(3) appears to\nallow for either test method to be used in determining if a material sustains combustion. You ask if you\nmay use either test method even when different results are obtained from the two test methods.\nYour understanding of § 173.120(b)(3) of the HMR is correct. You may use either test method in\ndetermining if a material sustains combustion. And it is the shipper's responsibility to properly class,\ndescribe, and package hazardous material for shipment. Regarding the different test results you\nobtained, you did not provide enough information in your letter, e.g., the material safety data sheet and\napplicable test data on the material in question, for us to provide you with a more specific response\nfrom this Office.\nI hope this answers your inquiry.\nSincerely,\nDemotillo\nDelmer F. Billings\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n•\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n•\nTHOMAS J. LEECH, III\nBoothe\nEnvironmental Consultant\n=\n3720 Plum Point Drive E\n$173.120 (b) (3)\nOlive Branch, MS 38654-8000\nClassification\n02-0121\nApril 16, 2002\nMr. Edward T. Mazzullo\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nU.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)\nWashington, D.C. 20590-0001\n400 7th Street S.W\n--\nSubject:\nReclassification of a Combustible Liquid Per 49 CFR Part 173:120 - - - -\nChoosing Test Method and Results\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nI would like an interpretation related to selecting the test method and results for\nreclassification of a flammable liquid to a combustible liquid.\nA flammable liquid was tested using both ASTM 4206 and Appendix H of 49 CFR\n173. The results of the testing indicated that the liquid did not sustain combustion\nusing the ASTM 4206 test method and did sustain combustion using the Appendix H\ntest method. The Appendix H test method requires that the material be tested at\napproximately 20 degrees Farenheit higher than the ASTM 4206 test.\n49 CFR Part 173.120 (b)(3) appears to allow for either test method to be used in\ndetermining if a material sustains combustion. Does this mean that the test method\ncan be chosen even when you have run both tests and obtained different results?\nPlease contact me at 901-399-5158 if you have any questions concerning this matter.\nSincerely;\n-\nIg Leache\nThomas J. Leech, III\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nInterpretation Letters\nRequester\nThomas J. Leech, III\nDate Received: 4/26/2002\nCompany\nThomas J. Leech, III\nTracking Number: 02-0121\nPhone\n(901) 399-5158\nRevision Date: 4/26/2002\nDate Assigned 4/26/2002\nDate of Letter 4/16/2002\nStaff\nBoothe\nFirst Draft Due: 5/17/2002\nSection\n173.120(b)(3)\nFirst Draft Dato: 5/17/2802\nSubject\nClassification\nconcurrence\nStatus\nStatus Date\nSign Date\nSignor\nHBPR\nCopy to Docket\nCopy to DHM-60 0]\nComment\nsoapital\ncare for ten sale. I cal for tea Cata la\nI houl not ill'i tea hate got to called\nnu rechain to regula to data 51162.\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nthe A pia!\nShanks you!\nDie e/zhz\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\n5/11 De Tech, Custerd,\nfor wet\nDItm.z0\n*Interin at Baot\nPet me Today 571262 Bea at t\nTRS\n5/1/02\ndel -\nENTERED\n13/02\nLet late you selly:\nemp\na rower, lud, hone\n7/3/01\n« Ат\nnot recein anything.\nSo I'm safenten\n112, 4 send 5\nСвиле водоч-то.\nThanks, inge\na pullinda draft\nseed pa by comersation\nIn the slimitted mne\nat lither lea mettod....\nThank spot?\nBID recene dellin\ndata, I'll let pa Know.\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nTHOMAS J LEECH, III\n3720 PLUM POINT DRIVE E\nENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT\nOLIVE BRANCH MS 38654\nito.\nAP: 1 c0 2\n/C3/ALA\nPOMETEE\nMr. Edward T. Mazzullo\nU.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)\nDirector Office of Haz Materials Standards\n400 7th Street SW\nWashington DC 20590-0001","truncated":false,"body_characters":4679}