{"operation":"document","citation":"15-0166","title":"ICC Compliance Center — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2015-12-15","effective_on":null,"summary":"15-0166 response to ICC Compliance Center concerning 171.12, 171.22, 171.23, 171.24, 171.25, 172.332, 172.338.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0166.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0166.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0166","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2015/150166.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nMaterials Safet\nipeline and Hazardou:\nAdministration\nDEC 1 5 2015\nMs. Sändra Miller\nRegulatory Specialist\nICC Compliance Center\n2150 Liberty Drive\nSuite 1\nNiagara Falls, NY 14304\nReference No. 15-0166\nDear Ms. Miller:\nThis responds to your email, dated August 10, 2015, in which you request clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically you ask for\nguidance concerning 49 CFR 172.332(c)(1). Your questions are paraphrased and answered as\nfollows.\nQ1. The quoted size for UN numbers is 88 mm (3.5 inches), with no tolerances mentioned.\nWhat are the acceptable tolerances for the size of the numbers (e.g., UN and other regulations\nrefer to \"at least... mm high\")?\nA1. As specified in 49 CFR 172.332(c)(1), the size of the numerals of the identification number\ndisplayed on a placard must be 88 mm (3.5 inches) in black Alpine Gothic or Alternate Gothic\nNo. on on a white background mm (3.9 inches) high and approximately 215 mm (8.5 inches)\nwide. For identification numbers that are lost, damaged, or destroyed during transportation,\n§ 172.338 states that the marking may be done by hand without regard to the size and font\nrequirements if the hand written markings are legible and written with an indelible marking\nmaterial.\nIn addition, Subpart C of Part 171 authorizes, with certain conditions and limitations, the\noffering for transportation and the transportation in commerce of hazardous materials in\naccordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe\nTransport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions), the International Maritime\nDangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, the Transport Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods\n(TDG) Regulations, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the\nSafe Transport of Radioactive Materials (IAEA Regulations). Therefore, provided the applicable\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nrequirements of §§ 171.12, 171.22, 171.23, 171.24, and 171.25 are met, markings conforming to\nthe international standards may be used in place of a corresponding marking conforming to the\nrequirements of 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart D.\nQ2. There are 2 specific fonts specified. Are there any provisions to accept other fonts with\nsimilar appearance?\nA2. See Al.\nI hope this satisfies your request. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDuan APpl\nDuane Pfund\nInternational Standards Coordinator\nOffice of Standards and Rulemaking\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nantoreilli\n§/72.332 (c) (1)\nrarkins\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\n5-0166\nFrom:\nGeller, Shelby CTR (PHMSA)\nSent:\nMonday, August 10, 2015 12:40 PM\nTo:\nHazmat Interps\nSubject:\nFW: Font and size of numbers on placards\nDear Shante and Alice,\nForwarded is a request for a formal letter of interpretation.\nThanks,\nShelby\nFrom: Sandra Miller [mailto: Sandra. Miller@thecompliancecenter.com]\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter\nSent: Monday, August 10, 2015 8:55 AM\nSubject: Font and size of numbers on placards\nHazardous Materials Information Center:\nI am writing to request a formal letter of interpretation. Can you please provide guidance in regards to 49CFR$172.332\n(c)(1)?\nThe regulations state:\n\"c) Placards. Display of an identification number on a hazard warning placard shall be in conformance with the\nfollowing:\nThe identification number shall be displayed across the center area of the placard in 88mm (3.5 inches)\nblack Alpine Gothic or Alternate Gothic No. 3 numerals on a white background 100 mm (3.9 inches) high\nand approximately 215 mm (8.5 inches) wide and may be outlined with a solid or dotted line border.\"\nBased in this section my questions are:\nThe quoted size for UN numbers is 88 mm (3.5 inches), with no tolerances mentioned.\nWhat are acceptable tolerances for the size of the numbers (e.g. UN & other regulations refer to \"at least...mm\nhigh\")?\nAre there any provisions to accept other fonts with similar appearance?\nThere are 2 specific fonts specified.\nThank you and I look forward to your correspondence.\nBest regards,\nSändra Miller\nRegulatory Specialist\nICC Compliance Center\n2150 Liberty Drive\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nSuite 1\nNiagara Falls, New York 14304\n888-442-9628 ext. 230-http://www.thecompliancecenter.com\nSpeak to our knowledgeable staff today for the latest news and products, services, and training relating to GHS.\n•OD\n2","truncated":false,"body_characters":4425}