{"operation":"document","citation":"15-0009","title":"Mr. Mike Revis — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2015-08-19","effective_on":null,"summary":"15-0009 concerning 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0009.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0009.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0009","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2015/150009.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\nof Transportation\nWashington. DC 20590\nPipeline and Hazardous\nAdministration\nMaterials Safety\nAUG 1 9 2015\nMr. Mike Revis\n742 Industry Drive\nBuilding 16\nTukwila, WA 98188\nRef. No. 15-0009\nDear Mr. Revis:\nThis responds to your January 15, 2015 email requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask for clarification\non the size limits under the exception in § 173.185(c)(1)(i) for lithium ion batteries.\nYou state the lithium ion battery in question has a rating of 81.4 Watt-hour (Wh). The two\ncells that make up the battery each have a rating of 40.7 Wh. You have asked if this battery\nqualifies for the exceptions in § 173.185 (c)(1)(i).\nThe answer is yes. Section 173.185(c)(1)(i) states that the Wh rating may not exceed 20 Wh\nfor a lithium cell or 100 Wh for a lithium ion battery. The United Nations (UN) Manual of\nTests and Criteria defines a battery as \"one or more cells which are electrically connected\ntogether by permanent means.\" The 100 Wh size limit applies to your battery irrespective of\nwhether the component cells exceed the 20 Wh rating for a cell. Therefore, the exceptions\nin § 173.185(c)(1)(i) apply to your lithium ion battery configuration since the battery does\nnot exceed 100 Wh.\nI hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, please contact this\nOffice at 202-366-8553.\nSincerely,\nActing Chief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nBoothe\n•\n$173.185()())\nLithium Battere,\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\n15-0009\nFrom:\nCiccarone, Michael CTR (PHMSA)\nSent:\nThursday, January 15, 2015 9:44 AM\nTo:\nHazmat Interps\nSubject:\nFW: Lithium ion batteries 173.185(c)(1)(i)\nMr. Revis' address is:\n742 Industry Drive\nBuilding 16\nTukwila, WA 98188\nFrom: Ciccarone, Michael CTR (PHMSA)\nSent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 9:42 AM\nTo: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Lithium ion batteries 173.185(c)(1)(i)\nShante/Alice,\nPlease submit this for a formal letter of interpretation. Mr. Revis spoke with Jordan in the HMIC.\nThanks,\nMike\nFrom: Mike Revis [mailto:mike@hazmatexpress.com]\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter\nSent: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6:49 PM\nSubject: Lithium ion batteries 173.185(c)(1)(i)\nGood day,\nI am writing to explore the possibility of getting an official letter of interpretation regarding the size limit for\nlithium ion batteries in 173.185 (c)(1)(i).\nI received a telephone response from PHMSA when I originally made this request.\nAnother person states that he made the same request and received a different response from PHMSA.\nThe request has to do with the size limitation of a cell in a multiple cell lithium ion battery.\n270:1\nSpecifically.\n304h\nThe lithium ion battery in question has a rating of 81.4 Wh.\nThe two cells that make up the battery each have a Wh rating of 40.7.\nDoes this battery qualify for the exceptions in 49CFR 173.185(c)(1)(i)?\nThank you for your consideration.\nMike Revis\n206.575.0458\n1","truncated":false,"body_characters":3006}