# Essex Cryogenics of Missouri, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 10-0089
- **title:** Essex Cryogenics of Missouri, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2010-06-25
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 10-0089 response to Essex Cryogenics of Missouri, Inc. concerning 171.1.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-10-0089.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-10-0089.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-10-0089
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2010/100089.pdf
**body:**

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U.S. Department of Transportation 1 200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washingto!1. D.C. 20590
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
JUN 2 5 '21tfa
Mr. Ken Seise
Quality Assurance/
Regulatory Compliance Manager
Essex Cryogenics of Missouri, Inc.
8007 Chivvis Drive
St. Louis, MO 63123-2395
Ref. No. 10-0089
Dear Mr. Seise:
This is in reference to your email requesting a clarification ofthe applicability of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to an oxygen converter that is part of a
component permanently installed in ambulances and other emergency response vehicles. You
state the converter encompasses a 10 - 25 liter non-DOT specification liquid oxygen cylinder.
According to the design and construction specifications you submitted (Federal Specification for
the Star-of-Life Ambulance, KKK-A-1822E, General Services Administration, June 1,2002), the
cylinder is to be installed at the time the vehicle is placed in service. A cylinder installed in a
motor vehicle as part of equipment necessary for the safety of its operator or passengers is not
subject to the HMR requirements but may be subject to the requirements of other Federal, State or
local agencies. Also the filled cylinder would be subject to the HMR if it is removed from the
vehicle and offered for transportation in commerce.
I hope this information is helpful. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
us.
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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M;~
~ 171" I -
Drakeford, Carol
From: Mitchell, Hattie (PHMSA)
• Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 12:30 PM
To: Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
Subject: FW: Specification Cylinders
... Attachments: Letter from Hattie Mitchell 2005-3-10 Ref No. 05-0045.pdf
Carolyn, please log in.
From: Ken Seise [mailto:KSeise@essexind,com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 11:41 AM
To: Mitchell, Hattie (PHMSA)
Subject: Specification Cylinders
Hattie,
There has been some discussion lately at Essex as to whether or not the converters noted in the attached emails require
inner containers that comply with the DOT 4L packaging specification. Some think that there may be a letter from the
DOT that states that since the 10 and 25 liter liquid oxygen converters are part of a product that gets permanently
installed in an ambulance, and that the 4L containers are not mobile, meaning that someone who transports the container
does not carry it on the vehicle and take it off when reaching a destination, that the product does not need to be made to
the 4L spec. I cannot find such a letter in my files. So, does a permanent container installed in a vehicle need to be built
to a specification cylinder spec? If not would you have a letter in your files that states that? Please let me know what you
find.
Thanks,
Ken
Ken Seise
Quality Assurancel
Regulatory Compliance Manager
Essex Cryogenics of Missouri, Inc,
8007 Chiwis Drive
st. Louis, Missouri 63123-2395
Tel: 314-832-8077 x316
Fax: 314-832-8208
1

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u.s. Department 400 Seventh Street. S.W.
of TranspoootlOn Washington. D.C. 20590
PIpeline and
HazardOUS MaterialS safety
Administration
MAR 10 2005
Mr. Russell Zavadil Ref. No. 05-0045
Quality Manager
Essex Aerospace and Defense
8007 Chivvis Drive
St. Louis, MO 63213
Dear Mr. Zavadil:
This is in response to your request for a clarification on the applicability ofthe Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) to an oxygen converter that will be
mounted onboard ambulances and other emergency response vehicles. You .state the
converter stores 10 or 25 liters ofliquid oxygen that it converts into breathing gas for patients.
The vehicles will be operated by Federal, state or local goverrunent personnel.
The transport ofhazardous materials in government vehicles operated by goverrunent
personnel solely for non-commercial purposes are not subject to the HMR. However, if the
purpose is commercial, or ifthe government entity offers hazardous materials for
transportation to commercial earners, then the HMR would apply.
I hope this information is helpful Ifyou need further assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact us.
Sincerely,
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office ofHazardous Materials Standards
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