{"operation":"document","citation":"05-0036","title":"Wiley Rein &amp; Fielding LLP — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2005-03-18","effective_on":null,"summary":"05-0036 response to Wiley Rein &amp; Fielding LLP concerning 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0036.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0036.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0036","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050036.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nPipeline and\nAdministration\nlazardous Materials Safet\nMAR 18 2005\nMr. George A. Kerchner\nRef. No: 05-0036\n1776K Street NW\nWiley Rein & Fielding LLF\nWashington, DC 20006\nDear Mr. Kerchner:\nThis is in response to your letter requesting clarification on the testing of lithium batteries and\ncells. Specifically you asked for clarification of the requirements of the UN Thermal Test (Test\n2) under section 38.3.4.2 of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of\nDangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria for determining the percentage mass loss criteria\nfor lithium and lithium ion batteries and cells.\nThe method used for determining the \"Percentage Mass Loss Criteria\" of a lithium battery or cell\nobserved during the UN lithium battery thermal test (Test 2) is limited to the mass loss that is\ndirectly attributed to the lithium battery or cell. Mass loss that can be attributed to packaging\ncomponents (e.g., plastics, foam, potting compound, tape, etc.) should not be considered in\ncalculating the percent of mass loss for the UN Thermal Test (Test 2).\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance\nSincerely,\npes\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n173.185\n050036\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nBelerford\nwil\nWiley Rein & Fielding LLP\n3173.185\nLithium Batteries\n05-0036\nWASHINGTON, DC 20006\n1776 K STREET NW\nFebruary 11, 2005\n202.719.4109\nGeorge Kerchner\nFAX\nPHONE\n202.719.7049\n202.719.7000\ngkerchner@wrf.com\nVirg nia Office\nMr. Edward Mazzullo\nSUITE 6200\n7925 JONES BRANCH DRIVE\nDirector of Hazardous Materials Standards\nMCLEAN, VA\nPHONE\n703.905.2800\n22102\nResearch and Special Programs Administration\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nFAX\n703.905.2820\n400 7\" Street, SW\nWashington, DC 20590\nwww.wrf.com\nRe: Request for Interpretation on UN Lithium Battery Thermal Test\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nI am writing to request a clarification from your office on the mass loss\nlimits contained in the UN Thermal Test (Test 2) for lithium and lithium ion cells\nand batteries found at section 38.3.4.2 in the UN Manual of Test and Criteria,\nFourth Revised Edition.\nInstructions require primary lithium and rechargeable lithium ion cells and batteries\nAs you are aware, 49 CFR § 173.185 of the HMR and ICAO Technical\nbe tested pursuant to a series of tests found in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.\nThe Thermal Test is one of eight UN tests that must be conducted on these cells or\nbatteries. The purpose of the Thermal Test is to \"assess cell and battery seal\nintegrity and internal electrical connections\" using rapid and extreme temperature\nchanges. Cells and batteries meet the requirements of the Thermal Test if there is\n\"no mass loss, no leakage, no venting, no disassembly, no rupture and no fire and if\nthe open circuit voltage of each test cell or battery after testing is not less than 90%\nof its voltage immediately prior to this procedure.\" \"Mass loss\" is defined in the\nUN Manual of Tests and Criteria as a loss of mass that exceeds the values shown in\nthe table below. To quantify mass loss, the following formula must be used:\nMass loss (%) = (M1- M2) x 100\nMI\nMass M of cell or\nMass loss limit\nbattery\nM<1 g\n0.5 %\n1g< M <5g\n0.2%\nM ≥ 5 g\n0.1%\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nWiley Rein & Fielding LLP\nMr. Edward Mazzullo\nPage 2\nFebruary 11, 2005\nUnfortunately it is not clear from the requirements of the Thermal Test/\ncompound, or tape should be considered when calculating total mass loss. It\nwhether mass loss from such battery pack components as plastic, foam, potting\nappears the true intent of this test is ensure there is no mass loss from cells, no\nleakage, venting, disassembly, rupture, or fire, and the seal integrity and internal\nelectrical connections are not compromised. A small mass loss, often due to\nmoisture retention, from battery pack components such as plastic, foam, potting\ncompound or tape certainly would not present any safety risks in transport provided\nthe cell and battery seal integrity and internal electrical connections are intact and\nall other requirements of the Thermal test are met. This type of mass loss can be\nmeasured by testing these battery pack components separately from the cells.\nI am therefore requesting clarification from RSPA on the following issue:\nIf a lithium or lithium ion battery pack meet the testing requirements\nof the UN Thermal Test except the mass loss limits, and it can\nmeasured that the mass loss came from such battery components as\nconsidered as having passed the Thermal Test provided the cell and\nplastic, foam, potting compound, or tape, can these batteries be\nbattery seal integrity and internal electrical connections are intact?\nThank you for taking the time to consider this very important issue. I look\nforward to your timely response.\nSincerely,\nGeorge A. Kerchner\nGeorge A. Kerchner\nWRFMAIN 12298183.1","truncated":false,"body_characters":4942}