# gh Package & Product Testing and Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0159
- **title:** gh Package & Product Testing and Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-10-18
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0159 response to gh Package & Product Testing and Company concerning 178.819.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0159.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0159.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0159
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070159.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Materials Sa Hazardous
Administration
OCT
18 2007
President and Technical Director
Mr. H. Perry Hock
Ref. No.: 07-0159
4090 Thunderbird Lane
gh Package & Product Testing and Company
Fairfield, OH 45014
Dear Mr. Hock:
This is in response to your letter dated May 31, 2007 and subsequent telephone
conversation with Ben Supko of my staff in regard to the IBC testing provided by the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask
for clarification of the term "filled," as used in § 178.819(b)(1).
In preparation for the vibration test, § 178.819(b)(1) requires an IBC to be filled and closed
as for shipment. The term "filled" represents the maximum permissible gross mass of the
package - that is, an IBC marked with a 500 kg maximum gross mass must weigh 500 kg
"filled" package applies even if the end user plans to offer the package for transportation
when subjected to the test. The requirement for performance of the vibration test on a
below its maximum permissible gross mass.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.
Sincerely,
Edwand 7. Morguello
Edward T. Mazzullo
Director
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
178.819(6)(0
070159

<<<PAGE 2>>>

gh Package
gh
& Product
ISO17025
accredited
at to or did ane Pax 5151870-0-084
airfeld. OH 45014
Testing and
Consulting, Inc.
335 W. Melinda Lane
Phoenix. AZ 85027
Phone (623) 869-8008
Fax (623) 869-8003
May 31.2007
Supko
To:
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
$178.810
1200 New Jersey Ave. S.W.
U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)
$178.819
Washington. DC 20590-0001
lestine
17-015°
From: Mr. H. Perry Hock
gh Package & Product Testing and Company
President and Technical Director
4090 Thunderbird Lane
Fairfield, OH 45014
Subject: Filling requirements of intermediate bulk packagings pursuant to CFR 49.
$178.810, 8178.819
Dear Mr. Mazzullo,
I am in need of a clarification on the regulations pertaining to the filling requirements for
rigid IBC's in §178.810 and $178.819.
In 178.810. the requirement is to 98% capacity for liquids and 95% capacity for solids. Is
the reference to capacity the gross capacity of the IBC? If not, please explain.
In 178.819, the requirement is to fill and close [the IBC] as for shipment. Would this
imply to test the IBC at 100% net capacity? If not, to what capacity should the IBC be
vibration tested?
I look forward to your prompt response.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 513.870.0080 x 103.
Yours Truly,
H. Perry Hock
President and Technical Director
gh Package & Product Testing and Consulting. Inc.
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