{"operation":"document","citation":"08-0114","title":"packgen Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2008-06-25","effective_on":null,"summary":"08-0114 response to packgen Corporation concerning 171.8, 178.710.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0114.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0114.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0114","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080114.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nJUN 2 5 2008\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nMr. Russell Keith\nEngineering\npackgen Corporation\n65 First Flight Drive\nP.O. Box #I970\nAuburn, Maine 042 1 1\nRef. No.: 08-01 14\nDear Mr. Keith:\nThis responds to your April 28,2008 letter concerning the design and construction requirements\nfor flexible intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) under the Hazardous Materials Regulations\n(HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1 - 1 80). Specifically, you ask if a flexible IBC may be tested and\nmarked as L N specification 13HZ if the flexible IBC does not have top lifting devices attached\nto it and is intended to be placed on a pallet, which is relied upon for mechanical lifting.\nAn Intermediate Bulk Container is defined by the HMR as a rigid or flexible portable packaging,\nother than a cylinder or portable tank, that is designed for mechanical handling (see 8 171.8). A\nhandling device for flexible IBC packagings is defined as any sling, loop, eye, or frame attached\nto the body of the IBC or formed by the continuation of the IBC body material (see\n§ 178.7 10(b)(3)). If a flexible bulk packaging does not have any design features for mechanical\nhandling (i.e., handling devices), then it does not meet the definition of an IBC under the HMR,\nand may not be tested and marked as UN specification 13HZ. Placement of a packaging on a\npallet for mechanical handling does not satisfy the portion of the IBC definition that requires the\npackaging itself to be designed for mechanical handling.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.\nSincerely,\nb Chief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\npackgen Corporation\n65 First Flight Drive\nP.O. Box #I970\nAuburn, Maine 04211\nTele: 207-784-4195 Fax: 207-777-3178\nwww.packgen.com\npat kgen\nApril 28, 2008\nMr. Edward T. Mazzullo\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nU.S. DOTIPHMSA (PHH-10)\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nSubject: Flexible IBC without lift straps\nDear Mr. Director,\nI have a question regarding the construction requirements for a Flexible Intermediate Bulk\nContainer. We have recently seen Flexible IBC's without top lifting devices and attached to a\npallet for transport. We have always been of the understanding that a Flexible container must\nhave integral lifting devices such as straps and I or sling(s) in order to lift the IBC. We come to\nthis conclusion after reviewing 9 178.710 (b)(3) the definition of the handling devices for\nFlexible IBC's. Our belief is further reinforced by reviewing 3 178.803 Testing and Certification\nof IBC's in which one must perform several tests on the Flexible IBC that require that the IBC be\nsuspended by it's lifting device(s). These tests are the Top Load, Righting, and Tear respectively.\nMy questions are:\nIs it possible to have a Flexible IBC with a UN marking of 13HZ that did not have any\ntop lifting devices but, was intended to be placed on a pallet as it's sole means of lifting?\nIf yes what test would be required to satisfy the requirements of 5 178.803?\nSincerely,\nRussell Keith\nEngineering\npackgen C'orporatioaa\nErnail: rkeith(&uackgen.coni\nTele: 207-784-195 ( ~ 2 4 4 )\nFax: 207-777-3178","truncated":false,"body_characters":3317}