{"operation":"document","citation":"16-0006","title":"Mr. Joseph Tsiyoni — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2016-05-12","effective_on":null,"summary":"16-0006 concerning 175.10.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0006.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0006.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0006","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2016/160006.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\nMAY 1 2 2016\nMr. Joseph Tsiyoni\n1415 N. Rose Street\nTempe, AZ 85281\nRef. No. 16-0006\nDear Mr. Tsiyoni:\nThis is a response to your December 17, 2015 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) relating to a lithium ion battery-powered\nwheelchair or other mobility aid carried by aircraft passengers or crewmembers. Specifically,\nyou ask for clarification on the rules about the size and capacity of the motor and battery allowed\non a wheelchair or other battery-powered mobility aid (e.g., a scooter). Your questions are\nparaphrased and answered as follows:\nQ1. Is there a limit to the size or capacity for the motor of a wheelchair or other battery-\npowered mobility aid?\nAl.\nNo. Unless the motor has a hazardous material component that is subject to the HMR,\nthere is not a size or capacity limit for the motor of a wheelchair or other battery-powered\nmobility aids carried by aircraft passengers or crewmembers under the HMR.\nQ2.\nWhat is the \"size\" limit for a lithium ion battery that powers a wheelchair or other\nmobility aid when it is carried in checked baggage or carry-on baggage, and when carried\nas a spare?\nA2.\nWe preface our response by noting that lithium batteries that are not packed with or\ncontained in equipment such as a wheelchair are not allowed in checked baggage. With\nrespect to your question; in general, the HMR do not limit the size of a lithium ion\nbattery installed in a wheelchair or other mobility aid carried aboard an aircraft as\nchecked baggage. See § 175.10(a)(17).\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nHowever, where a wheelchair or mobility aid is designed to allow the removal of the\nlithium ion battery by the user, the battery must be removed and carried aboard the\naircraft in carry-on baggage only. Under this condition, the lithium ion battery may not\nexceed 300 watt-hours (Wh; and a maximum of one spare lithium ion battery not\nexceeding 300 Wh or two spares each not exceeding 160 Wh each may be carried in\ncarry-on baggage only (see § 175.10(a)(17)(v))).\nI hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, please contact this Office\nagain.\nSincerely,\nLDirk DekKinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n=================\n===JOSEPH TSIYON| ==:\n==\n1415 N. Rose Street\nPhone: (480) 949-0894\nTempe, Arizona 85281\nTsiyoni@Cox.Net\nMitchell\nDecember 17, 2015\n§173.185\nMr. Duane Pfund\nBatteries\nInternational Standard Coordinator\nStandard and Rules Division, U.S. Department of Transportation\n16-0006\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590\nRe: A. HANDICAP SCOOTER: MOTOR CAPACITY\nB. LITHIUM BATTERY CAPACIST HELD SEPARATELY (Not on scooter)\nDear Mr. Pfund:\nMay I ask you to please clarify the rules about the size/capacity of motor and battery allowed\non a handicap or any scooter delivered in an aircraft.\nA. A MOTOR ON A HANDICAP SCOOTER: is there any limit on capacity, e.g. 350W?\nB. IF A Lithium Battery is carried to the cabin, or checked in:\nSince there is no limit if the battery is attached to the scooter, protected from turn-\non:\ni. What is the capacity limit (ELC, and/or WATT) if any if carried to the cabin of an\naircraft?\nii. What is the capacity limit (ELC, and/or WATT) if any if the battery is checked in?\n(Normally that would be for a spare battery, e.g. 16Ah., which is more than 25 ELC, or\n300 WH.\nPlease kindly as soon as possible.\nI appreciate your help and thank you very much for quick response.\nRespectfully,\nmisplea\nJoseph Tsiyoni","truncated":false,"body_characters":3713}