{"operation":"document","citation":"05-0285","title":"Dangerous Goods — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2006-01-24","effective_on":null,"summary":"05-0285 response to Dangerous Goods concerning 178.513, 178.514.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0285.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0285.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0285","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050285.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nMr. Larry Snellings\nReterence No.: 05-0285\nVice-President, Dangerous Goods\nP.O. Box 60543 AMF\nHouston, TX 77205-0543\nDear Mr. Snellings:\nThis is in response to your October 27, 2005 letter regarding the applicability of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 100-180) to non-bulk\nperformance-oriented packaging standards. Specifically, you ask for a definition of\n\"other suitable means\" used in the construction of natural wood and plywood boxes,\nrespectively.\nThe standards for boxes containing natural wood or plywood are found in §§ 178.513 and\n178.514, respectively. The HMR do not specifically define \"other suitable means.\"\nHowever, provided the strength of the material used is appropriate to the capacity and\nintended use of the box, the tops and bottoms of natural wood boxes may be made of\nmaterials similar to water-resistant reconstituted wood. Similarly, provided the strength\nof the materials used is appropriate to the capacity and intended use of the packaging,\nother materials may be used together with plywood in the construction of plywood boxes.\nI trust this satisfies your inquiry.\nSincerely,\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n178.513\n178.514\n050285\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nDIRECTOR - OFFICE HM REGULATIONS\n400 - 7T\" STREET S.W. (DHM-10)\nPackagings\nWASHINGTON D.C. 20590\n05 - 0285\nREQUEST FOR LETTER OF INTERPERTATION:\nSIR,\nAFTER SPEAKING WITH YOUR FIELD AGENT, YOUR 800 HOTLINE AND\nYOUR OFFICE VIA PHONE I AM NOW FOLLOWING THE NEXT STEP IN THE\nPROCESS OF OBTAINING CLARIFICATION ON THE REGULATIONS,\nSPECIFICALLY CFR 49 178.513 FOR WOOD BOX / 178.514 FOR PLYWOOD BOX\nIN BOTH REFERENCES IT STATES THAT THE USE OF \"OTHER SUITABLE\nMATERIAL\" IS ALLOWED.\nIF POSSIBLE I NEED CLARIFICATION OF WHAT \"OTHER SUITABLE\nMATERIAL\" IS OR AT WHAT POINT OR PERCENTAGE OF MATERIAL USED IN\nCONSTRUCTION DOES A BOX MADE OF WOOD SIDES AND ENDS WITH A\nPLYWOOD TOP AND BOTTOM NO LONGER MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF A\n\"WOOD\" BOX AND BECOME A PLYWOOD BOX.\nIN THE USE OF \"OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL\" IS PLYWOOD CONSIDERED\n\"OTHER SUITABLE MATERIAL\" AND IF SO WHAT PERCENTAGE OF\nCONSTRUCTION CHANGES A BOX FROM BEING A WOOD BOX TO A\nPLYWOOD BOX.\nA COPY OF THIS REQUEST HAS ALSO BEEN SENT TO IATA AND THE UN\nREPRESENTATIVE FOR CLARIFICATION.\nYOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.\nRESPECTFULLY\nLARRY SNELLINGS\nVP DANGEROUSGOODS.COM\nHOUSTON TEXAS USA\nP.O. BOX 60543 AMF HOUSTON TEXAS 77205-0543\nPH 281 821 0859 FX 281 821 6558\nWWW.DANGEROUSGOODS.COM","truncated":false,"body_characters":2505}