# URS Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 03-0278
- **title:** URS Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2004-02-26
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 03-0278 response to URS Corporation concerning 173.25.
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0278.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0278
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030278.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Special Programs
Research and
Administration
FEB 26 2004
Mr. Andrew N. Romach
Ref. No. 03-0278
Regulatory Manager
URS Corporation
1066 Perimeter Park Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
Dear Mr. Romach:
This responds to your November 3, 2003, letter requesting clarification on packaging under the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You ask whether a sift-proof bulk
bin may be used as both a bulk package for a Division 4.1 material and a freight container for limited
quantity packages of a Class 3 material. Specifically, you ask if it is permissible to ship limited quantity
packages of "Flammable liquid, i.o.s. (toluene, xylene), UN 1993, PG IT", each marked with the
proper shipping name and UN number and "Ltd. Qty."in a leakproof, siftproof bulk bin containing
II" material.
otherwise unpackaged "Solids containing flammable liquid, n.o.s.(toluene, xylene), 4.1, UN 3175, PG
The answer to your question is no. A freight container that is the bulk packaging for an unpackaged
hazardous material may not be used simultaneously as a freight container for the shipping of packaged
hazardous material. Such usage is inconsistent with the definition for "bulk packaging" and would result
in incongruous quantity descriptions on the shipping paper. Therefore, the limited quantity Class 3
material.
material packages must be shipped separately from the package containing the bulk solid Division 4.1
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Alum D7. Moza
Edward T. Mazzullo
Director, Office of Hazardous
Materials Standards
HIVININ
173,25
030278

<<<PAGE 2>>>

INFOCNTR
Sent:
From:
To:
Nach Purs on or 428 PM
Boothe
Subject:
Cc:
INFOCNTR
Attn: Arthur- Bulk Bin Question
Carolyn_Norris@urscorp.com
§173.25
$173:240
DOT interpretation request:
Packaging
possible
I am writing to ask for an
interpretation concerning whether it is
for a package to be simultaneously a bulk container and a freight
03-0278
container
containing a non-bulk package.
The hazardous material in bulk is vermiculite damp with a solvent
with no free liquid present,
flammable liquid, n.o.s.
(toluene, xylene), 411, UN3175, PGII.
which is classified as:
"sift-proof non-DOT specification portable tanks and closed bulk bins
required packaging for this material
is set out in 49 CFR 173.240 (c):
outside of
authorized."
the bulk contact would be placed on stri
his bulk container is a leak-proot
a flammable solid placard and also have the UN number 3175 displayed on
each of foux sides.
The hazardous material in the non-bulk container is the same solvent
solvent volume being 1 quart (1 liter)] pląced into
contained in glass jars [the largest
• 5 gallon metal
shipment, with classification: Flammable liquid, n.o.s. (toluene,
his hazardous material in this volume qualifies as a limited quantity
3, UN1993, PGII. The required packaging for this material is set out in
gallon
CFR 173.150 (b) (2) .
drums (pails), each pail is much less than 66
This material would be packaged in sturdy metal !
weight.
pounds gros:
I- Would we be allowed to place the non-bulk limited quantity ta. ety.",
into the bulk container with the bulk material? Because limited
each marked with the proper shipping name
shipments are excepted from placarding, it is not a requirement to
freight
the presence of the limited quantity shipment on
the outside of the
container. The container would only be placarded for the bulk material.
See suggestion below:
2- How would the DOT basic description for this shipment be written?
(toluene, xylene), 4.1, UN3175, PGII
1 bulk bin
Solids containing flammable liquid, n.o.s.
1,000 pounds
100
Bulk bin also contains:
UN1993, PGII, Itd. Qty.
(5gal) drums
Flammable liquid, n.o.s.
400 pounds
(toluene, xylene), 3,
I look forward to receiving a reply to my request for interpretation.
Thanks,
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