# Network Environmental Systems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0066
- **title:** Network Environmental Systems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-05-15
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0066 response to Network Environmental Systems concerning 173.159, 173.6.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0066.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0066.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0066
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070066.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Hazardous Materials Safety
Pipeline and
Administration
MAY 15 2007
Mr. Earl Thomas
Network Environmental Systems
Ref. No. 07-0066
1141 Sibley Street
Folsom, CA 95630
Dear Mr. Thomas:
This is in response to your March 22, 2007 letter requesting clarification of the
requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Specifically, you inquire about the applicability of the "materials of trade" exceptions.
A "material of trade" is defined as a hazardous material, other than a hazardous waste,
that is carried on a motor vehicle: (1) to protect the health and safety of the operator or
auxiliary equipment; or (3) by a private motor carrier (including vehicles operated by a
passengers; (2) to support the operation or maintenance of the motor vehicle, including its
rail carrier) in direct support of a principal business that is other than transportation by
motor vehicle.
Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows:
Q1. Is § 173.6 applicable to the transport of an aircraft battery (i.e., a lead acid
maintenance shop or from an aircraft to a different location for repackaging and
battery) in a motor vehicle, owned and operated by an airline, from an aircraft to
subsequent shipment?
Al.
eligible for "materials of trade" exceptions under § 173.6 because it satisfies the third
Yes, under the scenario described in the question, the transport of the battery is
condition in the definition of a "material of trade." A hazardous material transported in
conformance with § 173.6 is not subject to any other requirements in the HMR besides
those set forth or referenced in the section. You should be aware that if the battery is
repackaged and transported using a commercial carrier, it is no longer eligible for the
"materials of trade" exceptions. Additionally, the transport of the lead acid battery ma
electric storage batteries containing electrolytes are not subject to the HMR for
be eligible for exceptions under § 173.159. Specifically, section 173.159(e) provides that
transported in the same vehicle; the batteries are loaded and braced so as to prevent
transportation by highway (or rail) provided that no other hazardous materials are
damage and short circuits in transit; any other material loaded in the same vehicle must
be blocked, braced, or otherwise secured to prevent contact with or damage to the
173.6
173.159
070066

<<<PAGE 2>>>

batteries; and the transport vehicle may not carry material shipped by any person other
than the shipper of the batteries.
a motor vehicle, owned and operated by an airline, from an aircraft to a location for
Q2. Is $ 173.6 applicable to the transport of a life raft (i.e., a "Life-saving appliance") in
repackaging and subsequent shipment? Would § 173.6 be applicable if a courier was
used in place of an airline owned and operated vehicle?
appliance, self inflating," UN2990, for example, is eligible for "materials of trade"
A2. Yes. A Class 9 material such as a life raft properly classified as a "Life-saving
exceptions when a commercial carrier (or a contracted driver) is used because this
exceptions in § 173.6. The transport of the life raft is not eligible for "materials of trade"
transport does not meet one of the three conditions for defining a "material of trade."
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.
Sincerely,
(Crite Has or leman sundards

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Jarman, Erin <PHMSA>
Sent:
From:
Mannion, Doreen <PHMSA>
Subject:
To:
INFOCNTR <PHMSA>
Thursday, March 22, 2007 10:10 AM
Der Kinderen
FW: Web Site Feedback
3173.6
$173.159
MOT/ Battery
----Original Message---- -
07-0066
From: ethomas@networkenvironmental.com [mailto:ethomas@networkenvironmental.com]
To: HMIS < PHMSA>
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007
10:11 AM
Subject: Web Site Feedback
(ethomas@networkenvironmental.com)
It was submitted by Earl Thomas
March 22, 2007 at 10:10:45.
Email:ethomas@networkenvironmental.com
Name: Earl Thomas
1141 Sibley St,
Message Type: Other
tolsom, CA 15630
organization: Network Environmental Systems, Inc.
Phone:
916-439-2937
Department of Transportation (DOT), regarding
or subsequent shipment. 173.159(e
ircraft to a maintenance shop fo
servicing or take ifferge can for packagin
aforementioned destinations falls under the DOT's
If rementioned destinationg tands under the bor scurer steade plane and and,
movement of the battery from the aircraft to
provided that the applicable requirements contained in this exception are adhered to,
to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) •
the locations mentioned above is not subiect
The battery, as well as the motor vehicle used to transport the battery, are owned by the
• second question, yet similar, can a life raft, used by an airline as a "life-saving
Trade provision, to be packed for shipment pursuant to the HMR? And...would the exceptior
poliance" (Class 9) be transported from an aircraft to a location under the Materials oi
still apply if a courier was used that was not employed by the airlines:
recertification.
In this latter scenario, the life raft is being returned to the manufacturer for
Your professional support is greatly appreciated.
1
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