# PPL Technical Training Center — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 02-0228
- **title:** PPL Technical Training Center — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-09-27
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 02-0228 response to PPL Technical Training Center concerning 173.6.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0228.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0228.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0228
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020228.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
20590
Research and
pecial Program
dministratio
SEP 27 2002
Mr. Frederick A. Muthard
Reference No.: 02-0228
1639 Church Road
PPL Technical Training Center
Allentown, PA 18104-9342
Dear Mr. Muthard:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the materials of trade (MOTs)
requirements under § 173.6 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-
180). Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows:
Q1. Do the quantities listed in §173.6(a) apply to each packaging or to a particular hazard class
or division?
A1. Except for a MOT authorized by §173.6(a)(1)(iii), the quantity limits in § 173.6(a) are the
maximum allowable quantity per packaging. Using your example, the maximum allowable
quantity for a Class 3 Packing Group II material is 8 gallons per packaging.
Q2. May multiple packagings of MOTs be transported on the same motor vehicle provided the
aggregate gross weight is not exceeded?
A2. Yes, two or more packagings of hazardous materials may be transported under the MOTs
exception provided all conditions of § 173.6 are met and the aggregate gross weight does not
exceed 440 pounds.
Q3. Can we transport hazardous materials using the MOTs exception between our company's
facilities?
A3. If the hazardous material meets the definition in § 171.8 of a Material of trade, the answer is
yes.
Q4. Are there additional Federal regulations that apply when MOTs are transported across state
lines?
173.6
020228

<<<PAGE 2>>>

foreign commerce.
A4. No. The HMR apply to the transportation of hazardous materials in interstate, intrastate and
I trust this satisfies your inquiry.
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

!
PPL Technical Training Ctr.
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104
1639 Church Road
Fax 484-634-4173
Tel. 484-634-4040
ppl
August 26, 2002
Corbin
$173.6
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
MOT
U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
400 7* Street S.W.
02-0228
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
Dear Sir:
In recent weeks there have been questions raised within PPL concerning the quantity of
a specific hazard class that can be carried on a vehicle under the HMR 49 CFR
Materials of Trade 173.6(a) exception. Recent phone calls to the DOT Information
Center in Washington D.C. have resulted in two different interpretations given to us
Materials of Trade 173.6(a) regulation.
concerning this exception. Therefore, I am asking for a written interpretation of the
PPL Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, is an electric distribution company
hazardous materials transported on our vehicles are used in direct support of our
(private motor carrier) serving the eastern and central areas of Pennsylvania. The
principle business which is the distribution and generation of electric power.
Under 173.6(a) Materials and Amounts: Are these amounts in regard to the gross mass
Class/Division & Packing Group? (I.e. Could two or more 8-gallon containers of gasoline
or capacity tor each package or the overall total amounts for the particulat
be transported under the MOT exceptions as long as the total gross aggregate of all
limited to one 8-galion container?).
MOT do not exceed 440 pounds as per 173.6(d) or would the total gasoline quantity be
• Another example under 173.6(a) Materials and Amounts: Could two or more containers
of Fuses (Class 4 flammable solid) or Batteries, wet filled with acid, (Class 8), each
the MOT gross aggregate weight of 440 pounds?
container not exceeding 66lbs, be transported under the MOT exceptions not to exceed
Can the Materials of Trade be transported from one company location to another
company location under the 173.6 MOT regulations?

<<<PAGE 4>>>

Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
-2-
August 26, 2002
restoration in other states (New Jersey, Maryland, New York) under the Mutual Aid
Also, when a major storm emergency arises, PPL Utilities is called to help with storm
Agreements with other utilities. Are there any additional Federal rules PPL must follow
when transporting these Materials of Trade across state lines?
accordance with the 173.6 regulations.
PPL vehicle operators are informed of the presence of the hazardous materials in
if you have any questions or concerns, I may be contacted at 484-634-4656. Thank you
for your advice on this matter.
Please forward your written response to:
PPL TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTER
Frederick A. Muthard
1639 Church Road
Allentown, PA. 18104-9342
Sincerely,
Frederick A. Muthard
Technical Training Specialist
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