{"operation":"document","citation":"15-0168","title":"AECOM — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2015-12-11","effective_on":null,"summary":"15-0168 response to AECOM concerning 171.8.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0168.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0168.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-15-0168","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2015/150168.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nMaterials Safety\nPipeline and Hazardous\nAdministration\nDEC 1 1 2015\nAndrew N. Romach\nRegulatory Compliance Manager\nAECOM\n1600 Perimeter Park Drive\nMorrisville, NC 27560\nRef. No. 15-0168\nDear Mr. Romach:\nThis responds to your August 10, 2015 email requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the definition of a bulk\npackaging as it relates to a solid material. In your email, you describe a non-specification\npackaging that can accommodate a maximum net mass greater than 400 kg (882 Ibs) and has\na maximum capacity less than 450 L (119 gallons). You ask whether it meets the definition\nof bulk packaging or non-bulk packaging.\nIn accordance with § 171.8, the definition of a bulk packaging is a packaging with a\n\"maximum net mass greater than 400 kg (882 pounds) and a maximum capacity greater than\n450 L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a solid.\" Conversely, the definition of a non-bulk\npackaging is a packaging with a \"maximum net mass of 400 kg (882 pounds) or less and a\nmaximum capacity of 450 L (119 gallons) or less as a receptacle for a solid.\" Based on a\nstrict reading of each of these definitions, your packaging would meet neither of these\ndefinitions; however, it is the opinion of this Office that the packaging you describe would be\nconsidered a bulk packaging.\nOn October 1, 1992, PHMSA's predecessor agency, the Research and Special Programs\nAdministration (RSPA) published a final rule in Docket No. HM-181 (57 FR 45446) to\ncorrect editorial errors and make minor regulatory changes to the December 21, 1990 and\nDecember 20, 1991 final rules under Docket No. HM-181. This final rule re-defined a \"bulk\npackaging\" from a packaging with a net mass greater than 400 kg or maximum capacity\ngreater than 450 L, to a packaging with a net mass greater than 400 kg and a maximum\ncapacity greater than 450 L. This revision created the possibility for a packaging to be unable\nto meet the definition of a bulk or non-bulk packaging. This was not our intention; therefore,\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nit is our opinion that a \"bulk packaging\" means a packaging which has either a maximum net\nmass greater than 400 kg (882 pounds) or a maximum capacity greater than 450 L (119\ngallons) as a receptacle for a solid.\nI trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDirk Derkinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nicarare\n5110. 240(0\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nBulk Packaging\n15-0/68\nFrom:\nSent:\nGeller, Shelby CTR (PHMSA)\nTo:\nMonday, August 10, 2015 3:55 PM\nSubject:\nHazmat Interps\nAttachments:\nFW: Request for written DOT interpretation\nDOT interpr def of bulk nonbulk 08102015.pdf\nDear Shante and Alice,\nAttached is a request for a formal letter of interpretation.\nThanks,\nShelby\nFrom: Norris, Carolyn [mailto:carolyn.norris@aecom.com]\nSent: Monday, August 10, 2015 1:44 PM\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter\nCc: Romach, Andy\nSubject: Request for written DOT interpretation\nDear Infocenter,\nI have attached a request for a written DOT interpretation. Please let me know if you have any questions.\nThank you in advance for your assistance.\nThanks,\nSenior Project Scientist/Project Manager, EHS Department\nCarolyn Norris, DGSA\nCarolyn.norris@aecom.com\nD 1-919-461-1238 F 1-919-461-1371\n1600 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 400, Morrisville, North Carolina 27560\nwww.aecom.com\nT 1-919-461-1100 F 1-919-461-1400\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nAECOM\nAugust 10, 2015\nMr. Charles Betts, Division Director\nStandards and Rulemaking (PHH-10)\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nEast Building, 2nd Floor\n1200 New Jersey Ave., SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Mr. Betts:\nI am writing to request a Department of Transportation (DOT) written interpretation concerning the\ncorrect assignment of \"bulk packaging\" or \"non-bulk packaging\" when shipping a medium hazard solid\nPII material.\nThe following definitions are listed in 49 CFR 171.8:\n\"bulk packaging\" has:\n(2) A maximum net mass greater than 400 kg (882 pounds) and a maximum capacity greater\nthan 450 L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a solid;\n\"non-bulk packaging\" has:\n(2) A maximum net mass of 400 kg (882 pounds) or less and a maximum capacity of 450 L\n(119 gallons) or less as a receptacle for a solid;\n[Emphasis added.]\nBased on the above-listed definitions, a hazardous material would be required to meet both the net mass\nand maximum capacity criteria to qualify as either a bulk packaging or a non-bulk packaging.\nWe would like to ship a medium hazard PII solid hazardous material, which has a net mass in excess of\n882 pounds, yet the material is collected and contained in a receptacle that has a maximum capacity less\nthan 450 liters. Based on the definitions listed above, this hazardous material meets neither the definition\nof \"bulk packaging\" nor \"non-bulk packaging\".\nWe understand that non-bulk packaging rated to a UN specification must meet both the net mass and the\nmaximum capacity criteria as set out in the non-bulk packaging UN specification section 49 CFR 178\nSubpart L; for example: For a steel drum, the net mass and maximum capacity limits are listed in 49 CFR\n178.505(a)(6) & (7).\nIn our case, the net mass of this hazardous material is greater than 882 pounds; however, the capacity of\nthe receptacle that it is contained in is less than 119 gallons. Both the net mass and the maximum\ncapacity must be met to meet the definition of a non-bulk packaging. As this hazardous material does not\nmeet the criteria for a non-bulk packaging, and does not meet the criteria for a bulk packaging either, we\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nAECOM\nAugust 10, 2015\nDOT/PHMSA Interpretation Request\nPage 2 of 2\nin 49 CFR 173.240(c).\nwould like to know if the hazardous material can be shipped following the bulk packaging requirements\nThe receptacle in which we collect this material is a non-specification strong metal container, that meets\nthe requirements of a sift-proof, closed bin in 49 CFR 173.240 and can accommodate the heavy weight of\nthis material, which is about 1,200 pounds; however, the capacity of this packaging is less than\n100 gallons.\nCould we consider our receptacle as a sift-proof, closed bulk bin as described in 49 CFR 173.240(c)?\nI appreciate your assistance with these questions.\nSincerely,\nAndrew N. Romach\nAECOM\nRegulatory Compliance Manager\n1600 Perimeter Park Drive Morrisville, NC 27560\nAECOM\nFax: 919.461.1371\nTel: 919.461.1220\nandy.romach@aecom.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":6601}