# Law Offices of Paul D. Borghesani — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 07-0203
- **title:** Law Offices of Paul D. Borghesani — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-12-20
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 07-0203 response to Law Offices of Paul D. Borghesani concerning 173.150.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0203.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0203.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0203
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070203.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
DEC 2 0 2067
Ms. Angela Hankins
Law Offices of
Paul D. Borghesani
307 S. Main Street
Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 465 1 6
Ref. No. 07-0203
Dear Ms. Hankins:
This responds to your letter regarding the applicability of the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1-1 80) to the transportation of diesel fuel in an
auxiliary fuel tank on a pick-up truck. You state that the diesel fuel is contained in a tank
with a capacity of less than 1 19 gallons and that the diesel fuel is used to power the pick-up
truck.
A motor vehicle fuel tank that: (1) meets the requirements for liquid fuel systems under
$8 393.65 and 393.67 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including marking;
(2) is maintained in accordance with NFPAIASME standards for fuel systems; and (3) is not
used as a packaging for hazardous materials is not subject to the requirements of the HMR.
In addition, under 8 173.150(f) of the HMR, a flammable liquid with a flashpoint of 38°C
(1 00°F) or higher that does not meet the definition of any other hazard class, may be
reclassed as a combustible liquid. Combustible liquids, such as diesel fuel, transported in
non-bulk packagings (i.e. < 450 liters11 19 gallons) are not subject to the HMR.
I trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely, n
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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October 18,2007
U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration
Office of Hazardous Material Safety
1200 New Jersey Ave., Southeast
East Building, Second Floor
Washington, D.C. 20590
RE: Applicability of Hazardous Materials Regulation- Auxiliary Fuel Systems- Pick-up trucks
Motor Carrier Services ("MCS") is engaged in providing advisory and compliance services to
the motor carrier industry including but not limited to assisting motor carriers in complying with
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as well as the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
Most recently, several of the motor carriers operating pick-up trucks and utilizing the services of
MCS have been receiving citations from various State enforcement agencies including Michigan
and Iowa. The citied violations of the Hazardous Material Regulations include but are not limited
to Part 177.8 17A (failure to have hazmat shipping papers for diesel fuel carried) and 177.823A
(no labels for the diesel fuel carried.) In all instances, the diesel fuel was contained in an
auxiliary fuel tank of less than 1 19 gallons for the purpose of supplying fuel for the propulsion of
the pick-up truck to which it is attached.
Based upon the foregoing, MCS respectfully requests an interpretation that the Hazardous
Materials Regulations do not apply to the transportation of diesel fuel in a tank with a capacity of
less than 1 19 gallons when used for the purpose of supplying fuel for the propulsion of the pick-
up truck.
This request is based upon the fact that diesel fuel would be considered a combustible liquid
within the exceptions noted in 49 CFR 173.150(f). Accordingly, the requirements of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations applicable to placarding; shipping papers, labeling, etc., would
not be applicable under 49 CFR 173.150 (f)(2).

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Page 1 of I
v Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>
From: Angela Hankins [angela.pdborglaw@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 328 PM
To: Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>
Subject: Re: Request for Written lnterpretation
Law Offices of Paul D. Borg hesani
307 S. Main Street, Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 389-0804
----- Original Message -----
From: ca yolyn .d.~akeford@dot~.g.ov.
To: a.rlge!.a~4d_bo!gla.ww@ve~i.z_~!!~~~et Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 9:59 AM
Subject: RE: Request for Written lnterpretation
Could you please send me your address and telephone number? Thanks
From: INFOCNTR <PHMSA>
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2007 9:33 AM
To: Drakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>
Subject: MI: Request for Written Interpretation
I Carolyn,
I Could you process this as an interp. letter request please? Thanks a million buddy!
I Erin
From: Angela Hankins [mailto:angela.pdborglaw@verizon.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 4:42 PM
To: INFOCNTR <PHIYSA>
Subject: Request for Written Interpretation
Based upon the factors set forth in the attachment, a written interpretation is respectfully requested.
No virus found in this incoming message.
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