# Fort Wainwright Ammunition Supply Point — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 09-0152
- **title:** Fort Wainwright Ammunition Supply Point — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2009-10-02
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 09-0152 response to Fort Wainwright Ammunition Supply Point concerning 177.835.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0152.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0152.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0152
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2009/090152.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Mr. William H. Orth 111, WL-06
Ammunition Inspector
Fort Wainwright Ammunition Supply Point
1060 Gaffney Road #7000
Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-7000
Ref. No.: 09-01 52
Dear Mr. Orth:
This responds to your July 2,2009 email requesting clarification of requirements for
transporting explosives under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts
1 7 1 - 1 80). Specifically, you ask if you may use fire-retardant tarpaulins to protect explosives
transported on a motor vehicle as required by 5 177.835(h).
Section 177.835(h) requires explosives to be protected from moisture and sparks and permits
the use of fire- and water-resistant tarpaulin. The HMR do not define the terms "fire-
resistant" or "fire-retardant." For purposes of compliance with § 177.835(h), any tarpaulin
that is manufactured using material that will protect an explosives shipment from moisture
or sparks is acceptable. Note that for purposes of this section, the terms "fire-resistant" and
"fire-retardant" are synonymous.
I hope this satisfies your inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
*-, l - 7 ,Sf f.'(j'
Hattie L. Mitchell
! ,\
i s Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Drakeford. Carolvn (PHMSA)
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 11 :07 AM
Drakeford, Carolyn (PHIVISA)
FW: Hazmat Safety Feedback: Problem 3 / 7 7 . 83563
----- Original Message-----
From: HMIS (PHMSA)
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 6:28 AM
To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Subject: FW: Hazmat Safety Feedback: Problem
Completed via phone by TS on 7/6 @ 4:43pm. Left vm.
----- Original Message-----
From: PHMSA-Feedback [mailto:PHMSA-Feedback]
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 2:15 PM
To: HMIS (PHMSA); PHMSA Webmaster
Subject: Hazmat Safety Feedback: Problem
We are trying to replace worn out cotton duck tarps which were marked as "Fire Resistant".
These tarps will be used to cover Class 1 explosives loaded on flat bed trucks. We have
found several vendors who offer Fire Retardant tarps, some of which are listed below : My
question is in two parts: First: are fire retardant tarps equivalent to, or substitutable
for, fire resistant tarps, and second, Do either of the below listed items meet the
requirements of 49 CFR 177.835(h) (see below) ? .
1. "Government official fire retardant tarps with the CPAI-84 specification is the
only way to go when it comes to fire retardant tarps. Our fire retardant tarps are
certified by the California State Fire Marshal. These fire retardant tarps are specially
treated and comply with all NFPA 701, CPAI-84 and California Title 19 Guidelines. The fire
test process for our fire retardant tarps are very extensive and the fire retardant fabric
must go through a strict, two part testing process with an independent testing agency and
finally with the California State Fire Marshal's Office.
The fire retardant tarps are great tarps to protect against static electricity. These
flame retardant polyethylene tarps or fire resistant tarps are built with the highest of
standards. All of our fire retardant tarps come with a California State Fire Marshal tag
permanently attached to the side of the tarp. "
2. "Fire retardant tarps offered by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.com are certified under the
California State Fire Marshal. Each fire retardant tarp is specially treated and complies
with all NFPA 701, CPAI-84 and California Title 19 Guidelines. Our fire retardant fabrics
go through a strict two part testing process with first an independent testing agency and
finally with the California State Fire Marshal's Office. Offered in either silver or
white, each tarp comes with the California State Fire Marshal tag permanently attached to
the side of the tarp.
Our Fire Retardant tarps are weather resistant- 100% UV Protection, Waterproof, and
Mildew-proof. Its strong, tear resistant high density polyethylene. Each tarp comes with
heavy-duty rust resistant grommets every 18 inches with rope reinforced corners and
eyelets. "
"49 CFR 177.835(h) Lading within body or covered tailgate closed. Except as provided in
paragraph (g) of this section, dealing with the transportation of liquid nitroglycerin,
desensitized liquid nitroglycerin or diethylene glycol dinitrate, all of that portion of
the lading of any motor vehicle which consists of Class 1 (explosive) materials shall be
contained entirely within the body of the motor vehicle or within the horizontal outline
thereof, without overhang or projection of any part of the load and if such motor vehicle
has a tailboard or tailgate, it shall be closed and secured in place during such
transportation. Every motor vehicle transporting Class 1 (explosive) materials must either
have a closed body or have the body thereof covered with a tarpaulin, and in either event

<<<PAGE 3>>>

care must be taken to protect the load from moisture and sparks, except that subject to
other provisions of these regulations, Class 1 (explosive) materials other than black
powder may be transported on flat-bed vehicles if the explosive portion of the load on
each vehicle is packed in fire and water resistant containers or covered with a fire and
water resistant tarpaulin."
Thank You
William H. Orth I11 , WL-06
Ammunition Inspector
Ft Wainwright AK 99703
-----------
Name: William H. Orth I11
Organization: FT Wainwright Ammunition Supply Point
Email: bill.orth@us.army.mil
Phone: 907-353-9937
FAX: 907-353-6910
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