# Con-way — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 06-0108
- **title:** Con-way — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2006-05-30
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 06-0108 response to Con-way concerning 172.502, 172.516.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0108.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0108.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0108
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060108.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

MAY 30 2006
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
azardous Materials Safel
ipeline an‹
Administration
Mr. Robert Petrancosta
Ref. No.: 06-0108
Director, Safety and Environmental Compliance
110 Parkland Plaza
Con-way
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Dear Mr. Petrancosta:
This is in response to your letter and subsequent conversations with Del Billings
concerning the placement of placards on a vehicle under the Hazardous Materials
of a placard holder on the side of a transport vehicle. The placard holder is positioned on
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You provided a description and photographs
top of multi-colored stripes that run horizontally along the trailer. You ask if the location
of the placard, as described and shown in the photographs, is in compliance with the HMR.
It is the opinion of this Office that the placement of the placards over the horizontal stripes
as described in your letter and shown in your photographs is not a violation of the HMR.
In accordance with § 172.502(a)(2), it is prohibited to affix or display any sign,
advertisement, slogan, or device that, by its color, design, shape or content, could be
confused with any placard prescribed in Part 172, Subpart F. The painted stripe is not a
sign, advertisement, slogan, or device and could not be confused with a placard.
Additionally, the placard must be displayed away from any marking including
painted stripe is seen as a background color rather than a marking and does not
advertising) that could substantially reduce its effectiveness (see § 172.516(c)(4)). The
in the event a placard shares the same color as a part of the horizontal striped background,
substantially reduce the effectiveness of the placard and; therefore, is permissible. Finally,
a dotted or solid line outer border may be used when needed to provide contrast with the
background color (see § 172.519(b)(2)).
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
thae fe Ofett
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Senior Transportation Specialist
172.502 (a)(z)
172.516 c4)
060108

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BAH
Page 1 of 2
8172:502 (a 2)
3/72.516(c4
Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>
placardina
From: Mazzullo, Ed <PHMSA>
06-8108
Sent:
Friday, May 05, 2006 9:14 AM
To:
Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>
CC:
Betts, Charles <PHMSA>; Gale, John <PHMSA>; Gorsky, Susan <PHMSA›; Mazzullo, Ed
<PHMSA>; Mitchell, Hattie <PHMSA>
Subject: FW: Interpretation
Carolyn: Please assign for response.
Specialist: Del Billings and I spoke to Mr. Petrancosta in person and told him the
lacement of placards over a stripe is not a violation of anything. He would like
vritten confirmation; please respond by letter to this email
and could not be confused with a placard.
172.502 (a) (2): The painted stripe is not a sign, advertisement,
slogan, or device
172.516 (c) (4): We view the painted stripe as a background color rather than a
marking
placard.
and in any case something that would not reduce the effectiveness of the
172.519 (b) (2) :
of the placard
(Dangerous When Wet?)
placards have).
Ed
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 5:33 PM
From: Petrancosta, Robert G - CTS [mailto:Petrancosta.Robert@con-way.com]
Subject: Interpretation
To: Mazzullo, Ed <PHMSA>
Dear Mr. Mazzullo;
come rance to stadada rose 49 R112 c4, the placard holdead musta be in
from any marking (such as advertising) that could substantially reduce its
"located away
effectiveness, and in any case at least 3 inches ... away from such marking';
172.502 (a) (2), which prohibits the placement on a trailer of "[alny sign,
could be confused
permits use of "a dotted or solid line outer border
with any placard prescribed" in PHMSA's regulations; and 172.519 (b) (2), which
full size of a placard that is ... on a background of a non-contrasting color."
... when needed to indicate the
I look forward to your response.
Thank you.
<<Placards.pdf>>
5/8/2006

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Page 2 of 2
Robert: Petrancosta
Con- way
Director, Safety and Environmental Compliance
110 Parkland Plaza
T: 734-214-5629
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
F: 734-214-5652
petrancosta.robert@con-way.com
5/8/2006

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REIGHT
Conway
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