{"operation":"document","citation":"11-0213","title":"AT&T — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2011-10-18","effective_on":null,"summary":"11-0213 response to AT&T concerning 173.159.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0213.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0213.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-11-0213","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2011/110213.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\nu.s. Department Washington. DC 20590\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\n. Materials Safety\nAdministration\nocr 1 8 2011\nMr. Jim La Port\nAT&T\n1670 Axtell\nTroy, MI 48084\nRef. No.: 11-0213\nDear Mr. La Port:\nThis responds to your September 1, 2011 request for clarification on the shipment of electric\nstorage batteries under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).\nSpecifically you ask if electric storage batteries that also meet the definition of a hazardous\nsubstance (e.g. sulfuric acid) may continue to utilize the exception in § 173 .159( e) without\nregard to the additional requirements applicable to hazardous substances provided the\nbatteries otherwise conform to the requirements in § 173.1 59(e)(l) - (e)(4).\nThe answer is yes. When transported by highway or rail, electric storage batteries containing\nelectrolyte or corrosive battery fluid are not subject to any other requirements ofthe HMR, if\nall ofthe requirements of § 173.159(e)(I) through (e)(4) are met.\nI hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, please contact the\nStandards and Rulemaking Division at (202) 366-8553.\nSincerely,\n~5~\nBen Supko\nActing Chief, Standards Development\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nDrakefordJ Carolyn (PHMSA)\nFrom: Mcintyre, Joan (PHMSA)\nSent: Friday, September 02, 2011 8:27 AM\nTo: Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nCc: Foster, Glenn (PHMSA)\nSubject: Question for interp log in,\n-----Original Message----From:\nLA PORTE} JAMES J [mailto:jI7454@att.com]\nSent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 3:25 PM\nTo: McIntyre, Joan (PHMSA)\nSubject: Re: Another Question\nJoan,\nHere is an another question.\nElectric storage batteries containing electrolyte or corrosive battery fluid are excepted\nfrom the HMR when transported in accordance with the provisions specified in § 173.159(e).\nThe exception in § 173.159(e) is applicable to Electric storage batteries containing\nelectrolyte or corrosive battery fluid and does not differentiate between spillable and nonspillable\nlead acid batteries. The condition specified in § 173.159(e)(1) states that no\nother hazardous materials may be transported on the same vehicle. For the purposes of this\nexception, spillable and non-spillable batteries are both considered Electric storage\nbatteries containing electrolyte or corrosive battery fluid. Therefore, provided no other\nhazardous materials are loaded in the transport vehicle with the spillable and non-spillable\nelectric storage batteries and all the requirements of §§ 173.159 and 173.159a are met, the\nelectric storage batteries would be excepted from the HMR.\nWith this exception in mind, if a electric battery were to be shipped and the package met or\nexceeded the RQ for sulfuric acid the package would be regulated and be have to transported\nas a hazardous substance even though the above exception exists.\nAs noted, the determination for a single package even if palletized. See DOT interpretation\n(http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/portal/site/PHMSA/menuitem.ebdc7a8a7e39f2e55cf2031050248a0c/?vgnext\noid=eff2c0515d544110VgnVCM100000ged07898RCRD)\nPlease advise.\nJim La Porte\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>","truncated":false,"body_characters":3174}