{"operation":"document","citation":"16-0194","title":"Vectron International, Inc — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2017-11-14","effective_on":null,"summary":"16-0194 response to Vectron International, Inc concerning 173.22.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0194.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0194.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0194","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/56211/160194.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nDirector Global Quality & Compliance\nVectron International, Inc.\n267 Lowell Rd.\nHudson, NH 03051\nReference No. 16-0194\nDear Dr. Arvikar:\nThis letter is in response to your November 23, 2016, letter and subsequent phone conversations\nrequesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)\napplicable to the classification of a hazardous material. Specifically, you indicate that your\ncompany markets a Rubidium oscillator/Atomic clock containing less than one (1) gram of\nrubidium and ask if it meets the definition of a Class 4 hazardous material. You note that a\nprevious PHMSA interpretation (Reference No. 08-0154) indicates that when less than one gram\nof rubidium is contained in an atomic clock it does not pose a risk during transportation and is\nnot subject to the HMR. Furthermore, you provided test data of both an impact and drop\nsimulation. The results of the test demonstrate no evidence of spontaneous combustion or\ndamage to the capsule or the oscillator.\nIn accordance with § 173.22, it is the shipper's responsibility to class and describe a hazardous\nmaterial in accordance with Parts 172 and 173 of the HMR. Note that previous interpretations\nwere not a determination of whether rubidium is a Class 4 hazardous material but whether the\namount and form in which it is transported presents an unreasonable risk to health and safety or\nproperty. This Office does not generally perform this function. However, based on the\nsubsequent test data you have provided and previous PHMSA interpretation, it is the opinion of\nthis Office that as long as the one gram or less of Rubidium in your atomic clock is hermetically\nsealed in glass, and the glass capsule is adequately protected from breakage and is an integral\ninternal component of the atomic clock, and the atomic clock does not meet the definition of any\nother hazard class, it is not subject to the HMR.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nChief, Standards Developmen\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nFlag Status:\nFlagged\nHi Shante/Alice,\nPlease submit this as a letter of interpretation. Mr. Arvikar spoke with Isaac.\nPlease let me know if you have any questions.\nThanks,\nJordan\nFrom: Arvikar, Ram [mailto:rarvikar@vectron.com]\nSent: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 3:13 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSubject: Request for Letter of Interpretation for AccuBeat Rubidium Oscillators\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPHMSA\nAttached is a request for a Letter of Interpretation for AccuBeat Rubidium frequency standards which are marketed by\nVectron International.\nThese Rubidium standards are similar to those offered by another manufacturer, Symmetricom for which there is a\nLol already posted on the PHMSA web site (Document # 080154). Vectron is requesting a similar Lol referencing the\nAccuBeat Rubidium standards.\nThank you very much.\nSincerely,\nRam Arvikar\nVectron International\nRam J. Arvikar\nDir. Global Quality & Compliance\nO: +1 603-577-6860 | M: +1 603-858 3202\nVectron\na Knowles company\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\n1U.\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration\ninfocntr@dot.gov\nNov. 23, 2016\nSubject: Request for Letter of Interpretation for AccuBeat Rubidium Oscillators\nVectron International, a leading frequency control products company, markets Rubidium\noscillators/ Atomic clocks which are standards used as a frequency source. These are accurate timing\ndevices used in many applications such as wireless base stations, precision test and measurement\nequipment, network timing sources and military communications equipment\nThese oscillator products are manufactured by Vectron's partner AccuBeat Ltd. in Israel, and contain\nRubidium internally. Specifically the products are AccuBeat model numbers AR133xx, AR40 and Nano\nAtomic Clock (NAC). Technical details and performance specifications for these oscillators can be found\non Vectron's website: https://www.vectron.com/products/rubidium/rubidium_index.htm and on AccuBeat\nwebsite: http://www.accubeat.com\nVectron is requesting a letter of interpretation to state that these oscillator products are not Class 4\nhazardous items and can be safely transported domestically and internationally since the Rubidium\ncontent in these products is ‹ 1 gm and the material does not meet the definition of a flammable solid\nHazard Class 4 per 49CFR 173.2. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) and the International\nAir Transport Association (IATA) already have published an interpretative guidance statement for\nsimilar products from another manufacturer (Symmetricom) (Document # 080154) that states that\nfrequency standards containing Rubidium below 1 gm are not regarded as Class 4 hazardous materials\nfor commercial transportation'\n. Vectron would like to request a similar letter of interpretation for the\nAccuBeat Rubidium oscillators AR133xx, AR40 and NAC products.\nFor any questions or additional information related to this request, please contact the undersigned.\nThank you Very much.\nSincerely,\nDr. Ram Arvikar\nDirector Global Quality & compliance\nVectron International, Inc.\nTel: (603)-577-6860/rarvikar@vectron.com\n'http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/Interpretation%20Files/2008/0801\n54.pdf","truncated":false,"body_characters":5338}