# Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 03-0170
- **title:** Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2003-08-27
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 03-0170 response to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory concerning 173.226.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0170.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0170.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0170
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030170.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
AUG 27 2003
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Special Programs
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
Administration
Mr. Earl Thomas
Reference No.: 03-0170
Lab Pack Operations Team Leader
University of California
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
P. O. Box 808, L-668
Livermore, CA 94550
Dear Mr. Thomas:
This responds to your letter requesting clarification on authorized packaging for poison
inhalation hazard (PIH) materials under § 173.226(c)(2) of the Hazardous Materials Regulations
(HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows:
Q1. We offer for transportation Division 6.1, PG I, Hazard Zone A materials in an inner
packaging system consisting of three inner packagings; the HMR prescribe two inner
packagings. We place a single one liter non-impact resistant glass receptacle in an impact-
resistant packaging with compatible absorbent material. This in turn is placed into a leak-
tight packaging, again with compatible absorbent material, that is packed within an outer
4G fiberboard box. The completed inner packaging system meets the performance
standards at the PG I level in subpart M, part 178, of the HMR. Does this packaging meet
the requirements in § 173.226(c)(2)?
Al. The answer is yes. Even though you have an additional inner receptacle, your packaging
meets the provisions in $173.226(c)(2). The capacity of each inner receptacle may not
exceed 4 L (1 gallon). Both the inner packaging system and the outer packaging must meet
the performance test requirements in subpart M, part 178, of the HMR.
Q2. Under the provisions in §173.226(c)(2), may multiple inner impact-resistant glass
receptacles containing Division 6.1, PG I, Hazard Zone A materials be packed into the
leak-tight intermediate packaging?
A2. Section 173.226(c)(2) authorizes multiple impact-resistant inner receptacles, provided the
capacity of each inner receptacle does not exceed 4 L (1 gallon), and the total amount of
173,226
030170

<<<PAGE 2>>>

liquid contained in the outer packaging does not exceed 16 L (4 gallons). Additionally, the
inner packaging system and the outer packaging must conform to the performance test
requirements in subpart M, part 178, of the HMR.
I hope this satisfies your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Environmental Protection Directorate
Safety and
June 24, 2003
Corbin
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
§173.226()E)
Director, Office of Hazardous Material Standards/
Research and Special Programs Administration (DHM-10)
Packaging
400 7" St SW
Department of Transportation
03-0170
Washington D.C., 20590-0001
Subject:
Inner Packaging Systems for Division 6.1 PGI, PIH, Zone A Materials
Reference: 49 CFR 173.226 (c)(2)
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Cameron Satterthwaite for his interpretation of 49
twofold:
CFR 173.226 (c)(2), as it applies to "impact-resistant" glass. The purpose of this correspondence is
1) To obtain written concurrence to the guidance that Mr. Satterthwaite provided us on
December 18, 2002 and
2.) To pose an additional question (to your department) that is also related to 49 CFR
173.226 (c)(2).
First, during our December 18 phone conversation, Mr. Satterthwaite concurred with me that
placement of inner-glass containers (holding materials meeting the definition of division 6.1 PGI,
Zone A inhalation-hazard [PIH]) into non-breakable intermediate containers meets the "impact-
resistant glass" requirement, provided that the following conditions are met:
• The intermediate container is compatible with the lading.
• Movement of the inner-glass container is restricted within the intermediate packaging via
a compatible absorbent medium or other appropriate dunnage.
• The final inner packaging system conforms to the performance test requirements of 4
FR 178 Subpart M, at the Packaging Group I level. See Illustration /
breakable containers) preserves the intent of the regulation and provides much needed relief t
VI. Satterthwaite's interpretation (of conditionally allowing the use of intermediate non
the regulated community. However, before implementing this guidance, we are requesting a
expressed position.
written response from the Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, reiterating the previously
An Equal Opportunity Employer • University of California • P.O. Box 808, L-668, Livermore, California 94550
(925) 422-3343 - Fax (925) 424-2415

<<<PAGE 4>>>

identical liquid material, meeting the definition of 6.1 PGI, Zone A PIH, be packed into a single
Second, given the three requirements itemized below, can multiple inner-receptacles, holding
"leak-tight packaging of metal or plastic," or does 173.226 (c) (2) contain language prohibiting
such an assembly?
• No inner receptacle exceeds 4L in capacity.
• The total amount of liquid contained in the outer packaging does not exceed 16L.
• The specific package configuration is tested in accordance with 49 CFR 178 subpart M,
at the Packaging Group I level. See Illustration E
forward to your response with much anticipation.
Again, we greatly appreciate the technical support that your department provides and look
same phomas
Earl Thomas
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Lab Pack Operations Team Leader
Illustration A
Illustration B
absorbent media
Shaded area =
UN 1H2/X9/S/03/USA/Z0101
UN 1H2/X9/S/03/USA/Z0101
Non-breakable
intermediate
container
resistant glass
Non-impact
receptacle
Impact-resistant
UN 4G/X31/S/03/USA/Z0101
glass receptacles
UN 4G/X31/S/03/USA/Z0101
Leak-tight inner
packaging
4G Outer packaging
cc: Kerry Cadwell, Storage and Disposal Group Leader
Dennis Barrett, Packaging and Transportation Safety, Program Manager
John Bowers, Waste Treatment Group Leader, Authorized Derivative Classifier
Kathryn Rauhut, Laboratory Counsel, General Law Office
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 5941
