{"operation":"document","citation":"12-0098","title":"Smithers Pira — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2012-07-12","effective_on":null,"summary":"12-0098 response to Smithers Pira concerning 171.8.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0098.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0098.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0098","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2012/120098.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nJUL 1 2 2012\nMr. Steve Dely\nSenior Project Engineer\nSmithers Pira\n6539 Westland Way, Suite 24\nLansing, MI 48917\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nRef. No. 12-0098\nDear Mr. Dely:\nThis responds to your April 18, 2012letter requesting clarification on the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR: 49 CFR Parts 171-180). In your letter, you reference the\ndefinition of an inner packaging, package, and receptacle under § 171.8. You note that the\ndefinition of\"receptacle\" states \"including any means of closing.\" Specifically, you ask if\nthe receptacle must include a means of closure, or, does it mean if a receptacle has a means\nof closure, then that would be considered part of the receptacle.\nThe definition of \"receptacle\" in § 171.8 indicates that the means of closure is part of the\nreceptacle. In addition, closures are required on packagings, packages, and receptacles as\npart of the package specification, and function as part of the containment of the hazardous\nmaterial. Closure instructions are required to be provided with the certified package in\naccordance with provisions in § 178.2. Closure instructions must include any procedures to\nbe followed including instructions for closing inner packagings and receptacles.\nI hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, please contact this office\nat (202) 366-8553.\nSincerely,\nRobert Benedict\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nf?Joo%~\n~/7/. 9\n~e-R f1 i+ions\nIZ -oo qg\nTo: U.S. DOT\nPHMSA Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nAttn: PHH-1 0\nEast Building\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\ninfocntr@dot.gov\n800 467 4922\nFrom: Steve Dely\nSmithers Pira (PIRA)\n6539 Westland Way\nSuite 24\nLansing, Ml 48917\n517 322 2400\nIn writing this letter, Smithers Pira is looking for clarification on whether or not an inner\npackaging is required to have a closure. 49 CFR §171.8 defines the following:\nInner Packaging: a packaging for which an outer packaging is required for transport.\nIt does not include the inner receptacle of a composite packaging.\nPackaging: a receptacle and any other components or materials necessary for the\nreceptacle to perform its containment function in conformance with the minimum\npackaging requirements of this subchapter.\nReceptacle: a containment vessel for receiving and holding materials, including any\nmeans of closing.\nThe definition of receptade states that it is \"including any means of closing\". Does that\nmean that a receptacle must include a means of closure, or does that mean that if a\nreceptacle has a means of closure, then that would be considered part of the\nreceptacle?\nSincerely,\nSteve Dely\nSenior Project Engineer\n(517) 322-2400\nsdely@smithers.com\nSmithers Pira I 6539 Westland Way, Suite 24 I Lansing, Ml 48917 I p. 517.322.2400 I www.smitherspira.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":2956}