12-0095
12-0095
Page 1U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington. DC 20590 OCT 0 3 2012 Mr. Sam Newman President Guerilla Air 14111 S. Kingsley Dr. Gardena, CA 90249 Reference No.: 12-0095 Dear Mr. Newman: This is in response to your April 12, 2012 e-mail requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You ask several questions pertaining to the production of aluminum cylinders that do not exceed 4 t1uid ounces water capacity, to be used for carbon dioxide service. Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows: 01. How is the maximum water capacity of the cylinders measured? Al. The maximum water capacity of a cylinder is measured by filling the cylinder to the base of the neck, at the point where the threads inside the neck of the cylinder end and the shoulder of the cylinder begins to t1are out away from the neck. The threaded portion of the neck is designed to accept the valve assembly and is not intended to be included in the volumetric capacity of the cylinder. 02. In accordance with§ 173.306(1), can three of the described individual cylinders be placed in communication with each other using an apparatus (manifold) and be shipped by ground using the ORM-D designation? A2. Yes, provided certain conditions are met. In accordance with§ l73.306(a)(1) and § 173.306(a) respectively, the individual cylinders must not exceed 4 fluid ounces capacity and each package must not exceed 30 kg (66 pounds) gross weight. In addition, to meet the 4 fluid ounce capacity limitation provided by§ 173.306(a)(l) each cylinder in the assembly would have to be isolated with a positive restriction or a shutoff valve that remains tightly closed in transit. Also, in accordance with§ l72.316(a)(2), as of December 31, 2013, the ORM-D designation will no longer be available for ground transportation. However, in response to a final rule published on January 19, 2011 (HM- 215K; 76 FR 3308) that adopted this sunset date for the use of the ORM-D designation, administrative appeals have been filed requesting an additional period of time to continue using this designation. We intend to address these appeals in a future rulemaking.#
Page 2Q3. Do the described cylinders have to meet the manifolding conditions provided in § 173.301 (g) when charged with Division 2.2 carbon dioxide? AJ. The cylinders must meet the manifolding requirements of§ 173.301 (g). In accordance with§ 173.301(g)(l), the Division 2.2 carbon dioxide gas is not subject to the requirement for individual shutoff valves that are securely closed while in transit. However, if the individual cylinders are not isolated as discussed in A2 the limited quantity and ORM-D designation exceptivns provided in§ 173.306 would not be available. I trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, R~iH· Senior Regulatory Advisor Standards and Rulemaking Division ------------- ~--------#
Page 3. Ba0re!h g l/3.304 SJ I inders Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) From: Sent: To: Subject: Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) Thursday, April12, 2012 3:25PM Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) FW: Clarification of 173.306 (i) Carolyn, Here is the consolidate request from Mr. Newman. Thanks, Glenn From: sam@ysnimports.com [mailto:sam@ysnimports.com] On Behalf Of Sam Newman Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 2:55 PM To: Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) Cc: Billings, Delmer (PHMSA) Subject: Re: Clarification of 173.306 (i) Dear Mr. Foster, I am working on a project and I would appreciate your help with some clarification. We want to produce an aluminum cylinder of Co2 that does not exceed 4 fluid ounces water capacity and filled in accordance to the limits specified in 173.304. • How do you measure the four fluid ounce maximum water capacity? Is the measurement to the top rim of the cylinder (when the valve is threaded in the cylinder neck there is water displacement)? Alternatively is the measurement taken by measuring the displacement from the valve and compensating the lost space by increasing the overall capacity (still insuring that the water capacity is less then 4 fluid ounces)? • In accordance with 173.306 (i) Can I take three individual containers as described above and put them in communication with each other using an apparatus and still ship them by ground using the ORM-D label (the gross weight of the entire package would not exceed the 30kgs. allowed)? • Do the cylinders (173.304) have to meet the manifolding conditions in 173.301(0) (ii) when transporting division 2.2 Co2 gas? Thank you in advance for your assistance, Sam Newman President Guerrilla Air 1#
Page 414111 S. Kingsley Dr. Gardena, CA 90249 Tel. (310)715-1122 Fax.(3 10)715-1199 This email message and any attachments are solely for the use of the intended recipient( s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized use, review, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message and attachments. 2#
This material provides agency context. It does not replace binding regulatory text, and its legal effect depends on the underlying authority and facts.