{"operation":"document","citation":"04-0215","title":"Century Industries — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2004-10-15","effective_on":null,"summary":"04-0215 response to Century Industries concerning 173.417.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-04-0215.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-04-0215.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-04-0215","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2004/040215.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\n400 Seventh St., S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nSpecial Programs\nResearch and\nAdministration\n•OCT 15 2004\nMr. William M. Arnold\nReference No.: 04-0215\nCentury Industries\nP.O. Box 17084\nBristol, Virginia 24209\nDear Mr. Arnold:\nThis is in response to your August 31, 2004 letter regarding the applicability of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to § 173.417(a)(6)(vi) regarding\nauthorized fissile materials packages. Specifically, you ask whether a gasket with a melting\npoint of 250 °F provided as a seal for an inner drum meets the intent of § 173.417(a)(6)(vi).\nThe answer is yes, provided the gasket melts when subjected to the thermal test prescribed in 10\nCFR Part 71. Section 173.417(a)(6)(vi) does not require that each inner container have a vent.\nAs provided by this section, each inner container must be capable of venting if subjected to the\nthermal test described in 10 CFR Part 71. Capability to vent can be demonstrated through\nprevious design, testing, handling, and transportation experience. For your information, Docket\nHM-230, \"Compatibility with the Regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency,\" was\npublished as a final rule on January 26, 2004. This final rule removed paragraph (a)(6) in\n§ 173.417 that provided for the use of Specification 6L, 6M and 1A2 as authorized fissile\nmaterials packagings. This final rule allows for the continue use of these packagings until\nOctober 1, 2008, provided they were manufactured prior to October 1, 2004, and conforms in all\nrespects to the requirements of the HMR in effect on October 1, 2003.\nI trust this satisfies your request.\nSincerely,\nHatte 7. mithe\nHattie L. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n173.417 (6) (vi)\n040215\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nCentury Industries\nP.O. Box 17084, Bristol, Virginia 24209\nPhone: 423-646-1864/276-628-7553\nBetts\nAugust 31, 2004\n5173. 417(6) (vi)\nMr. Richard Boyle\nChief, Radioactive Materials Branch\nFissile Materials Packages\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Technology\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n04 - 0215\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\n400 Seventh Street, S. W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nRE: 7A Type A Fissile Combination Packaging\nDear Mr. Boyle,\nCentury Industries respectfully request a clarification on the following question that was\nposed by one of our customers:\n• 173.417(6) - Authorized fissile materials packages, it is understood that the outer\n7A, Type A, 55-gallon 1A2 steel drum is required to have 4 evenly spaced ½\"\ndiameter holes provided near the top of the drum for purposes of venting the\npackage. The question stems form (6)(vi) which states that each inner container\nmust be capable of venting if subjected to the thermal test described in 10 CFR\n71. In this instance a 7A, Type A, 30 gallon 1A2 steel drum will be centered in\nthe 55-gallon drum and surrounded by, what will most likely be vermiculite,\nacting as the absorbing material and the insulator.\n» Our question is, does the gasket provided as a seal, in the drum cover meet the\nintent of (6) (vi), since EPDM which is utilized in most all drums as the gasket,\nhas a melting point of approximately 250 F or is additional venting necessary or\nrequired?\nIn the past inner 30 gallon drums have typically been used without additional venting\ncapacity and the outer 55 gallon provided with the 4 - ½\" vents.\nThank you for your assistance, if we can be of help, please let us know.\nBest regards,\nWilliaM. Arnold\nWilliam M. (Mike) Arnold\nPresident","truncated":false,"body_characters":3567}