# Florida Power and Light Co. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0092
- **title:** Florida Power and Light Co. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-06-12
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0092 response to Florida Power and Light Co. concerning 171.1, 173.159.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0092.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0092.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0092
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070092.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
1200 New Jersey Ave.. S.E
of Transportation
Washington DC 20590
Materials Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous
Administration
JUN
12
200/
Principal Environmental Specialist
Mr. Frank Nesbihal, CHMM
Ref. No.: 07-0092
700 Universe Blvd. JES/JB
Florida Power and Light Co.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
Dear Mr. Nesbihal:
This is in response to your May 9, 2007 letter requesting clarification of the requirements
for lead acid batteries prescribed by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR
hazardous materials may be transported in the same vehicle," prohibit you from equipping
Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask if the provisions in § 173.159(e)(1) stating, "no other
each trailer with a fire extinguisher for use in the event of an emergency.
As provided in § 171.1, the HMR apply to the transportation of hazardous materials in
indeed a hazardous material. However, given that the fire extinguisher is an integral part
commerce. For the purposes of your letter, we have assumed that the fire extinguisher is
conditioners), it is not in commerce. The intent of § 173.159(e)(1) is to prohibit the
of the motor vehicle (e.g., fuel systems, fire extinguishers, cargo heaters, and air
transportation in commerce of any other hazardous materials in the same vehicle with the
batteries. Therefore, § 173.159(e)(1) does not prohibit you from equipping each trailer
with a fire extinguisher for use in the event of an emergency.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.
Sincerely,
/ Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.159 (eX/)
171.1
070092

<<<PAGE 2>>>

, Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA›
Sent:
From:
To:
Drago any 120540 PM
Supko
Subject:
FW: Question - Battery Exception
$173.159(e)U)
Batteries
PLEASE LOG THIS IN AS A NEW INTERPRETATION LETTER.
07-0092
Charles
From: Frank_J_Nesbihal@fpl.com [mailto:Frank_J_Nesbihal@fpl.com]
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday,
To: Betts, Charles < PHMSA>
May 09,
2007 1:35 PM
Cc: D_M_Rawson@fpl.com
Subject: Question - Battery Exception
Dear Mr. Betts,
Our company owns several trailers that are permanently equipped with acid-filled
owned vehicles to company facilities that are in need of emergency back-up power.
The trailers are
towed,
when needed,
either by company-owned or contractor-
batteries
in the trailers are
secured in racks to prevent their movement while being
The
171.8,
towed.
and
Since the trailers are considered separate "transport vehicles" under 49 CFR
batteries are
they have
* hey are come using the base yet econ
at 49 CFR 173.159 (e) .
be transported in
In the paragraph at 49 CFR 173.159 (e) (1), it states that "no other hazardous materials may
a fire extinguisher,
the same vehicle"
a hazardous material, in the event of a fire caused by battery
However, we are planning to equip each trailer with
on the same
The question I have
vehicle when using the
is; since no other hazardous materials can be transported
prohibit us from equipping each
trailer with a fire extinguisher?
battery exception, would this regulation
hazardous materials regulations
reviewed the regulation at 49 CFR 173.220 (e) which exclude fire extinguishers from the
extinguishers are
carried on
But that section appears to pertain when fire
Trade" exception at 49 CFR
"towed" transport vehicles.
173.6, and
are unclear if it would also exempt carrying fire
In addition, we reviewed the "Materials of
extinguishes from the HMR.
I very much appreciate the opportunity to submit this question. We do not think it's the
equipment on transport vehicles that carry acid-filled batteries under the battery
intent of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to prohibit safety
information, please do not hesitate to call me at 561-691-7013.
at 49 CFR 173.159 (e).
If you have any questions or need additional
Respectfully,
Frank Nesbihal, CHMM
Principal Environmental Specialist
700 Universe Blvd.
Florida Power and Light Co.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
JES/JB
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