# North American Automotive Hazmat Action Committee — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 06-0194
- **title:** North American Automotive Hazmat Action Committee — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2006-10-13
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 06-0194 response to North American Automotive Hazmat Action Committee concerning 173.56.
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0194
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060194.pdf
**body:**

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of Transportation
U.S. Department
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Materials Safety Administratior
Pipeline and Hazardous
OCT 13 2006
Hazardous Materials Analyst
Mr. Dave Madsen
Ref. No.: 06-0194
North American Automotive Hazmat Action Committee
3350 Airport road
Ogden, UT 84405-1563
Dear Mr. Madsen:
This is in response to your August 21, 2006 letter regarding the transportation of two stage air
bag modules under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). In
two explosive devices, the second of which is designed to deploy milliseconds after the first.
your letter you describe a "dual stage" air bag or seatbelt pre-tensioner as a device that contains
You describe a scenario in which the first stage deploys, but the second stage of the device does
not and you ask if the used air bag or seatbelt pre-tensioner would constitute a new design type
under § 173.56.
The answer is no, the used device is not a new air bag or seatbelt pre-tensioner design type under
§ 173.56. When serviceable, a "two stage" air bag or seatbelt pre-tensioner that has mis-fired
§ 173.166(d)(4). When packaged, described, and offered for transportation in accordance with
(i.e., one stage has not deployed) may be transported under the exception specified in
the provisions specified under § 173.166(d)(4), an EX number is not required.
this office.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact
Sincerely,
Hattie L. Mitchell
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
173.56
060194

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Pollack
$,173.56
NAAHAC
North American Automotive
Explosives
Hazmat Action Committee
06-0194
August 21, 2006
FY-06-072
For Hazardous Materials Safety
Associate Administrator
Research and Special Programs Administration
400 Seventh Street SW Room 8100
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
Attention:
Mr. John Gale, Chief, Standards Development '
Subject:
New Explosive Interpretation
As a follow up to our phone conversation, I am writing this in hopes of getting an
is designed to deploy within milliseconds after the first stage. There is a remote
interpretation. Air bag manufacturers design dual stage air bags where the second stage
possibility that the second stage would not deploy. This leaves us with a live part. If this
live part were to go off, it would not be any more severe than the original approved
device. The question we have is; Does this new part constitute a new explosive per
Section 173.56? The car dealership would most likely be the end user of the Air bag and
would need to ship these parts to a recycling location. If these parts are not considered a
new explosive, our recommendation would be that they ship the part under its approved
classification to the recycling location for disposal.
you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (801)-612-5665, fax (801)-
Thank you in advance for your help and cooperation in this most important matter. If
625-7566.
Sincerely Yours,
lave (Madse
Dave Madsen
Hazardous Material Analvst
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