{"operation":"document","citation":"08-0019","title":"Mr. Charles W. Guthrie — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2008-02-25","effective_on":null,"summary":"08-0019 concerning 172.102, 173.21.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0019.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0019.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0019","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080019.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nFEF! 2 5 2008\nMr. Charles W. Guthrie\n2492 Haversham Close\nVirginia Beach, VA 23454\nRef No.: 08-0019\nDear Mr. Guthrie:\nT h s is in response to your letter dated January 9,2008 regarding the transportation of dry cell\nbatteries under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1 - 1 80).\nSpecifically, you ask whether nickel metal hydride camera batteries are subject to the HMR\nwhen transported by aircraft.\nNickel metal hydride batteries are properly classified as \"Batteries, dry.\" Special provision 130\nin 8 172.102 excepts \"Batteries, dry\" from regulation when they are securely packaged and\noffered for transportation in a manner that prevents the dangerous evolution of heat (for example,\nby effective insulation of exposed terminals) and protects against short circuits. However, you\nshould be aware that $ 173.2 1 (c) forbids the transportation of electrical devices that are likely to\ncreate sparks or generate a dangerous quantity of heat, unless they are packaged in a manner to\npreclude such an occurrence. Provided the batteries are properly packaged and protected, they\nare not regulated under the HMR.\nOn March 26,2007 we issued a safety advisory in the Federal Register (72 FR 14167) to provide\nthe traveling public and airline employees with information on the importance of properly\npacking and handling batteries and battery-powered devices when they are carried aboard\naircraft. The advisory suggests practical measures for the safe transportation of batteries. You\nshould: 1) Keep batteries installed in portable electronic devices; 2) Pack spare batteries in carry-\non baggage; 3) Keep spare batteries in the original retail packaging; 4) If original packaging is\nnot available, effectively insulate battery terminals; and 5) Not carry recalled, damaged, or\ncounterfeit batteries. A copy of the safety advisory is enclosed.\nI hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact\nthis office.\n( Chief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nko\nDrakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>\nFrom:\nSent:\nTo:\nCc:\nSubject:\nINFOCNTR <PHMSA>\nWednesday, January 09,2008 2: 19 PM\nDrakeford, Carolyn <PHMSA>\n'cguthrie@lynnhavenmarine.com'\nFW: Information Center Comments/Questions\nCarolyn,\nMr. Guthrie would like a formal letter of interpretation on the issue described below.\nThank,\nIn£ ocenter\n----- Original Message-----\nFrom: cguthrie@lynnhavenmarine.com [mailto:cguthrie@lynnhavenmarine.com]\nSent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 2:23 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR <PHMSA>\nSubject: Information Center Cornrnents/Questions\nBelow is the result of your feedback form. It was submitted by Charles Guthrie\n(cguthrie@lynnhavenmarine.com) on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 14:22:54.\nName: Charles Guthrie\nCategory: Aircraft (Sections 175.1 - 175.706)\nOrganization: private\nStreet: 2492 haversham close\nCity: Virginia Beach\nState: Virginia\nZip Code: 23454\nCountry: USA\nPhone: 757-481-0700\nFax: 757-496-6436\nComments: This note came to me;\nNew Travel Rules for Handling Batteries : Heads up, underwater photographers: As of\nJanuary 1, you'll have to handle your lithium batteries in a different manner. The\nDepartment of Transportation no longer allows loose lithium batteries to be packed in\nchecked luggage. Instead, you can only take them in carry-on bags -- but you can only take\ntwo maximum, and they must be stored in the original packaging or a plastic bag. This new\nregulation is supposed to reduce the risk of lithium batteries catching on fire. When it\ncomes to checked bags, lithium batteries will only be allowed if they're installed in\nelectronic devices like laptop, dive computers and photo gear -- which, of course,\nprobably shouldn't be checked, but with today's bag restrictions, it is virtually\nimpossible to take on board all your electronic gear.\nDear sir;\nI carry a lot of photo gear.\nWe are trying to get a specific answer.\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nI a l s o want t o g e t a formal response t h a t I can c a r r y with m e when I f l y i f a TAS agent i s\n:confused about t h e r u l e s .\n1. Does t h i s law e f f e c t NiMH (NickEL Metal HyDRIDE) B a t t e r i e s ?\n' 2. S i t e f o r d e t a i l r u l e s about t h e t y p e s and s i z e s of b a t t e r i e s .\nThank you\nCharles w, Guthrie","truncated":false,"body_characters":4434}