# western Kentucky University — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0044
- **title:** western Kentucky University — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-07-27
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0044 response to western Kentucky University concerning 173.56, 173.62, 173.63.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0044.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0044.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0044
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070044.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration
JUL 27 2007
Mr. Christopher J. Widman
Ref. No. 07-0044
5050 Lincoln Drive
ATK Alliant Techsystems
Edina, MN 55436-1097
Dear Mr. Widman:
up letter requesting clarification of the requirements in the Hazardous Materials
This is in response to your February 12, 2007 letter and your February 20, 2007 follow-
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) related to the classification of "Cartridges,
power device, 1.4S, UN0323."
Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows:
Q1.
Is a manufacturer of a "Cartridges, power device" (used to project fastening
devices) allowed to classify the device as meeting the definition of a Division 1.4S
explosive without examination and DOT approval?
No. A manufacturer is not allowed to classify a "Cartridges, power device (used
to project fastening devices)" as meeting the definition of a Division 1.4S explosive
without prior examination, classification, and approval in accordance with § 173.56. The
examination (performed by a person or agency approved by DOT) and recommended
classification assignment of a new explosive must be performed in accordance with the
approval of a new explosive must submit a request, including a copy of the report of the
tests and criteria prescribed in §§ 173.52, 173.57, and 173.58. The person requesting
examination and assignment of a recommended classification (i.e., shipping description,
division, and compatibility group) to the Associate Administrator, PHMSA. If the
approval request meets the criteria in the HMR, the Associate Administrator will issue a
written approval assigning an EX number to the new explosive.
devices (which are used to project fastening devices) which have been classed as a
Q2. Does the language in § 173.63(b), "cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power
Division 1.4S explosive," refer to devices that have been examined and approved by
A2. The "cartridges, power devices" in the referenced paragraph refers to those
cartridges that have been examined and approved under the HMR (see AI). You should
173.56
173.63 (b)
070044
173.62

<<<PAGE 2>>>

be aware that only "cartridges, power devices (which are used to project fastening
devices)" qualify for reclassification as "ORM-D."
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.
Sincerely,
/ Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

:
12 February 2007
Packaging Exceptions
ATK" 07-004
Edina MN 55436-1097
5050 Lincoln Drive
Fax: (952) 351.3028
Telephone (952) 351.5506
Mr. Ed Mazzullo
US Department of Transportation
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
DHM-10
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington DC 20590-0001
Dear Mr. Mazzullo
Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) is requesting a final ruling regarding a
manufacturer /shipper's responsibility for transporting devices describes as:
Proper Ship Name:
UN Serial Number:
UN0325
Cartridges, power device
Hazard Category:
1.4S
Specifically, is the manufacturers of cartridges power devices (which are used to
Some in industry believe that a manufacturer is within their legal right to self
hazard classify Cartridges power device, UN0325, 14S to items they believe
appropriately fit this description without examination and approval by the DOT.
this description of UN0325, and must obtain a US DOT Competent Authority
Some believe that the manufacturer is not authorized to self classify items fitting
prior to authorizing transport
fastening devices) and believed to meet the United Nations description of
Is a manufacturer of cartridges power devices (which are used to project
Cartridges power device, UN0325, 14S
1) Required to obtain a Competent Authority from the DOT Approvals
Branch prior to shipment?
2) Authorized to classify these devices without a DOT Competent Authority?
100/200 0 922/
12: :E1 /00z/Z//20
198296

<<<PAGE 4>>>

:
We are also submitting an excerpt from 49 CFR § 173.68 (b) which states in
§ 173.63 Packaging exceptions (b)
(b)
Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices.
to project fastening devices) which have been classed as a Division 1.4S
(1) Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices (which are used
explosive may be re-classed, offered for transportation, and transported
as ORM-D material when packaged in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)
of this section.
Division 1.4S" refer to a device that has been examined and approved by the
3) Does the part of 173.63 (b) that states "which have been classed as a
DOT, or classified by the manufacturer?
items classed as UN0325.
Thank you for assisting in defining the intent of the regulations for transporting
Telephone Number (952) 351.5506. My Fax Number is (952) 351-3028.
If you have any questions regarding the above request, please contact me at
Sincerely,
Cinath 2. Wilma
Christopher J Widman
Christopher.Widman@ATK.COM
Corporate DOT Haz Mat Transportation Specialist
800/800 0 922#
952351

<<<PAGE 5>>>

. From: C450_1305
9523515592
02/20/2007 12:54
#016 P. 002/003
3173.62.
20 February 2007
Packagi Eception
ATK
07-0044
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS
5050 Lincoln Drive
Telephone (952) 351.5506
Edina MN 55436-1097
Mr. Ed Mazzullo
Fax: (952) 351.3028
US Department of Transportation
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
400 Seventh Street SW
DHM-10
Washington DC 20590-0001
Dear Mr. Mazzullo
Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) is requesting to amend our letter of 12 February
this incorrect UN Number may have caused your office.
Request for Ruling
for transporting devices describes as:
ATK is requesting a final ruling regarding a manufacturer /shipper's responsibility
UN Serial Number:
Proper Ship Name:
UN0323
Cartridges, power device
Hazard Category:
1.4S
devices (which are used to project fastening devices), UN0323 authorized to self
Are manufacturers of devices that meet the definition of cartridges power
hazard classify as such?
Or, are the manufacturers of devices they believe are appropriately described as
shipmen required to obtain a US DOT Competent Authority prior to authorizing
hazard classify Cartridges power device, UN0323, 14S to Items that are
Some in industry believe that a manufacturer is within their legal right to self
assessed as appropriately fitting the description of UN0323 without examination

<<<PAGE 6>>>

• From: C450_1305
9523515592
02/20/2007 12:54
#016 P. 003/003
Some believe that the manufacturer is not authorized to self classify items
authorizing transport.
assessed as UN0323, and must obtain a US DOT Competent Authority prior to
We are also submitting an excerpt from 49 CFR § 173.68 (b) which states in
part.
§ 173.63 Packaging exceptions (b)
(b)
Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices.
(1) Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices (which are used
to project fastening devices) which have been classed as a Division 1.4S
explosive may be re-classed, offered for transportation, and transported
of this section.
as ORM-D material when packaged in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)
Does the part of §173.63 (b) that states "which have been classed as a
DOT?
Division 1.4S" refer to a device that has been examined and approved by the
Or classified by the manufacturer?
items classed as UN0323.
Thank you for assisting in defining the intent of the regulations for transporting
If you have any questions regarding the above request, please contact me at
Telephone Number (952) 351.5506. My Fax Number is (952) 351-3028.
Sincerely,
Christophen f. Wilmen
Christopher J Widman
Christopher.Widman@ATK.COM
Corporate DOT Haz Mat Transportation Specialist

<<<PAGE 7>>>

Derkinderer
§173.63(6)
8 March 2007
ATK
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS
07-0074
5050 Lincoln Drive
Telephone (952) 351.5506
Edina MN 55436-1097
Mr. Spencer Watson
Fax: (952) 351.3028
US Department of Transportation
DHM-21
Office of Sciences
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington DC 20590-0001
Dear Mr. Watson
addendum to the ATK letter dated 20 February 2007 which asked for a ruling on
Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) is requesting your office to consider this letter an
whether or not a manufacturer of devices believed to appropriately fit the proper ship
name of cartridges power device, UN0323 may be classified by the manufacturer.
cartridges power devices (frequently called powerloads in industry) we manufacture may
On 8 March 2007, you contacted me by telephone and requested that we verify if the
serve dual purpose.
aliber nistol/rifle and a aun used to proiect fastenina devices?
ou asked. "Can the powerloads vou manutacture be used in both a standard sma
The answer is yes. All powerloads manufactured by ATK may be used in small caliber
rifles or pistols and guns used to project fastening devices. ATK powerloads are in fact
dual purpose.
ATK realizes the following statement may not be applicable to the question of self
from Cartridges Power device to Cartridges small arms UN0012. Although still
classification. However, ATK is discussing the cost impacts of renaming of our products
in the thousands. We are also investigating other cost impacts.
tabulating, we estimate that the cost to remark and label all containers in inventory to be
Please contact me if you have any additional questions
Regards,
Christopher f. Wilman
Christopher J Widman
Tele 952.351.5506
ATK Haz Mat Transportation Specialist
Christopher. Widman@ATK.COM
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