# WEW Westerwalder Eisenwerk GmbH — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 02-0161
- **title:** WEW Westerwalder Eisenwerk GmbH — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2003-04-08
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 02-0161 response to WEW Westerwalder Eisenwerk GmbH concerning 178.273.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0161.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0161.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0161
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020161.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
Special Programs
Administration
APR - 8 2003
Dr. -Ing. Frank Cronacher and Mr. Helge Tenzler
WEW Westerwälder Eisenwerk GmbH
Ref. No. 02-0161
Ringstraße 65a
D-57586 Weitefeld
Germany
Dear Dr. Cranacher & Mr. Tenzler:
This is in response to your letter concerning portable tank regulations under the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HIMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you asked about specifications of IM 101,
IM 102, DOT 51 and UN portable tank requirements in regards to the ASME code. In your letter you
asked three questions which are paraphrased and answered below:
Question 1: Does a DOT 51 portable tank have to be built according to the "lethal service" condition
in the ASME code, even if the commodity in question allows an IM 101 portable tank?
Answer 1: No. It is possible that a material that meets the ASME condition of "lethal service" is
allowed to be transported in several different types of specification packagings.
Question 2: Will all substances mentioned under 49 CFR § 178.273(b)(6) be considered "lethal"
according to ASME and require 100% X-ray examination or is the lethal service condition only
applicable for such tanks if advised by the user or designated agent according to ASME UW-2(a)?
Answer 2: It is possible that some materials listed in § 178.273(b)(6) would be considered "lethal"
according to the ASME. The difficulty in matching definitions in the HMR with the ASME definition of
"'ethal" is due to the ASME using a narrative, broad description for their definition while the HMR
specifies criteria the material must meet. In addition, the HMR has a range of severity of hazards.
DOT cannot define "lethal" for the ASME. It is the responsibility of the user, or their agent to
determine what "lethal" is under ASME. However, for purposes of compliance with the HMR, at a
minimum, hazardous materials in Divisions 6.1, hazard zone A and B and Division 2.3 would require
use of "lethal" service portable tanks. As previously stated, the user, or their agent could also specify
additional hazardous materials in other classes or divisions as "lethal."
178,273
020161

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Question 3: Can the approval agency request a statement concerning "lethal service" or can such an
agency classify a commodity as lethal on its own?
determine if a "lethal" service packaging is necessary.
Answer 3: As stated in the previous answer, it is the responsibility of the user, or their agent, to
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
no Haily
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

14/03 '03 FR 15:22 FAX +40 2743 3411
WEW - WEITEFELD
4001
=WEW=
CODEe 1335r
WEW Westerwälder Eisenwork GmbH - Ringstraße 65a - D-$7586 Weitefeld (Bermany)
Tank-Container
Flüssigkeiten. Gase. Schüttgut
Transport- und Lagersysteme für
RSPA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (DHMI-10)
Tank Containers
Mr. Delmer F. Billings, DHM-11
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Transport and storage systems for
liquids. gases. dry bulk
400 Seventh Street, SW
Fax +49 (27 43) 34 11
Tel. +49 (27 43) 92 22-0
WASHINGTON, DC 20590-0001
Fax: 001 202 366-3012
United States
USA
Einschreiben/ registe lastere wew.e
uPS
Fax: +49 27 43 34 11
Tel: +49 27 43 92 22 0
26 February 2003
90H-
Interpretation of CFR 49, chapter 1, § 178.273 (b)(6)(iv) and § 178.274 (b)(1), column 2
Interpretation on ASME "lethal service" - inquiry dated on 22 May 2002
lines 11 to 18
Dear Mr. Billings,
referring to our inquiry dated on May 22, 2002 we are still waiting an official response.
Up to now we received an e-mail message of Mr Michael Johnson dated on 02 December
2002. This message was an "unofficial" review howèver very helpful for us.
In January 2003 we have been informed that Mr Johnson is not working for DHM-11 any
more and that you are the person in charge. We have tried to contact you by phone several
times (14, 16, 21 January 2003; 20 February 2003) unsuccessfully. Last time your assistant
announced a calling back which failed to corne. The situation is very disappointing for us.
We ask for your fast reply.
Best regards,
WEW WESTERWÄLDER EISENWERK GmbH
Ro
GegeTenen
Susanne Romanus
Helge Tenzler
Dear fr. Billings,
che ask for auswer
Thante you
K.R. Aelge Teunh' 1x Mardh 2003
'sra:
anken- Bank Brüggel Lambert A
angbarkasse Altenkirchen (BLZ 573 510 30) Klo.Nr. 16-000 51
(BL2 370 104 00) Klo.Nr. 3 150 057 266
EBURGE
GO*SE RE/ERUit3232 ear bine asdo 280208 dohardt - dan Gerhard-de Vries. HR B 5090 Montabaur
LOVETRIE
Ladezeilen Delivery hours: Mo.-Fr. 6.30h-11.30h / 12,30h-14,00% - UST-ID-Nr. DE 611 848 SS8
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