{"operation":"document","citation":"12-0213","title":"Senior Mechanical Engineer — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2012-12-18","effective_on":null,"summary":"12-0213 response to Senior Mechanical Engineer concerning 173.309, 178.36, 178.37, 178.42, 178.46, 178.50, 178.51, 178.55, 178.61.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0213.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0213.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0213","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2012/120213.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nDEC 1 8 2m:~\nMr. Mark Fazzio\nSenior Mechanical Engineer\nUTC Aerospace Systems\n4200 Airport Drive\nWilson, NC 27896\nRef. No.: 12-0213\nDear Mr. Fazzio:\nThis is in response to your September 11, 2012 letter requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CPR Parts 171-180) as they pertain to\nUN1 044, fire extinguishers. In your letter you describe two, DOT specification 39 cylinders\nwith a volumetric capacity of 11.7 ( cu in) and 19.6 ( cu in) and an operating pressure of 1225\npsi. It is your understanding that these cylinders should be shipped as UN1 044, fire\nextinguisher.\nThe HMR do not authorize the use of DOT specification 39 cylinders as UN1044, fire\nextinguishers. When transported, each cylinder must be described with the name of its\ncompressed gas contents and the outside package must be properly marked and labeled in\naccordance with Part 172.\nThe requirements for shipping fire extinguishers are found in§ 173.309. Paragraph (a) of\nthis section permits the use of non-specification cylinders charged with a limited quantity of\ncompressed gas to not more than 241 psig. Such fire extinguishers are excepted from\nlabeling, unless shipped by aircraft and the specification packaging requirements when\nshipped under the conditions described in§ 173.309(a)(1) through (a)(3). If the\nrequirements of§ 173.309(a) cannot be met, a DOT specification 3A, 3AA, 3E, 3AL, 4B,\n4BA, 4B240ET, or 4BW (§§ 178.36, 178.37, 178.42, 178.46, 178.50, 178.51, 178.55, and\n178.61) cylinder must be used in accordance with§ 173.309(b).\nI hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to\ncontact this office.\nSincerely,\n~~t!+\nSenior Regulatory Advisor\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n--------------- ----------- --------\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nFire Protection Systems\nUTC Aerospace Systems\n4200 Airport Dr.\nWilson, NC 27896\n+1 252 246 7910 Fax: +1 252 246 8415\nMark.fauio@utas.utc.com\nwww.utcaerospacesystems.com\nMark Fazzio\nSenior Mechanical Engineer, Fire Extinguishing Products\n0 UTC Aerospace Systems\nLear0\n~}73·30'1\n~ f72./DZ\nFir-e fx-l-,n3uishers\n/2- OZ./3\nSeptember 11, 2012\nAssociate Administrator for Hazardous Material Safety\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nEast Building\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590-0001\nAttention: Special Permits, PHH-31\nSubject: Interpretation of 49 CFR 173.309 and 172.1 02\nDear Sir/Madam:\nKidde Aerospace & Defense (KAD), a company of UTC Aerospace Systems- Fire\nProtection Systems, is requesting interpretation of the 49 CFR 173.309 and 172.1 02. The\ninterpretation request is related to specification 39 (49 CFR 178.65} pressure vessels, KAD\npart numbers 474617 and 474618. The design specifications of these cylinders are\nprovided below.\nPIN 474617 PIN 474618\nVolume, cu.in. 11.7 19.6\nCharge Pressure, psig @ 70F 1225 1225 !\nIdentification Number UN1044 UN1044 I\nHazardous Materials Fire Extinguisher containing 1\nDescription compressed gas !\nActuation Device Cartridge, power device\nThe hazardous material description and proper shipping name per 49 CFR 172.101 is \"Fire\nExtinguisher''. As such, the packaging authorizations per columns SA, 88 and 8C of the\nhazardous materials table indicate that in addition to the requirement of 49 CFR 173.24\nand 49 CFR 178.65, that the requirements of 49 CFR 173.309 also apply.\nKAD's interpretation of 49 CFR 173.309 and its sub parts are as follows:\n173.309(a)- Applies: the subject part numbers are not exempt from labeling as the\nextinguishers are charged to 1200 psig.\n173.309(a)(1)- Applies: Agent is nonflammable, nonpoisonous and noncorrosive.\n173.309(a)(2)- Applies: The extinguishers are shipped as an inner packaging.\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nFire Protection Systems\nUTC Aerospace Systems\n4200 Airport Or.\nWHson, NC 27896\n+1 252 246 7910 Fax: +1 252 246 8415\nMark.fazzio® utas.utc.com\nwww.utcaerospacesystems.com\nMark Fazzio\nSenior Mechanical Engineer, Fire Extinguishing Products\n() UTC Aerospace Systems\n173.309(a)(3)(i, ii, iii, iv)- Does not apply: Requirements are for non-specification\ncylinders only. The units are designed to spec. 39.\n173.309(a)(4)(i, !i, iii)- Does not apply: Only applies to specification 2P & 20.\n173.309(b)- Does not apply: Identifies additional specifications which are\nacceptable and is not a fully inclusive list. Other specification and non-specification\ncylinders are acceptable provided they meet the requirements of 173.309(a}.\nIn addition, KAD's interpretation of special provisions for fire extinguishers listed in the\nhazardous materials table of 49 CFR 172.101 identifying 49 CFR 172.1 02 paragraphs 18\nand 11 o are as follows.\nSpecial provision 18 - Does not apply: Only applicable to fire extinguishers listed in\n173.309(b).\nSpecial Provision 11 0 - Applies: Permits the use of a cartridge, power device of\nDivision 1.4C or 1.4S with quantity of explosives less than 3.2 grams to be included\nwith each fire extinguisher without changing the classification.\nPlease advise if these are accurate interpretations of 49 CFR 173.309 and 172.201, as\nwell as UN1 044 as the appropriate identification number.\nThank you,\n?JI ~-·\n/ IJ~L<.A\nMark Fazzio","truncated":false,"body_characters":5342}