{"operation":"document","citation":"17-0013","title":"Berlin Packaging — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2017-03-31","effective_on":null,"summary":"17-0013 response to Berlin Packaging concerning 173.158.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0013.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0013.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0013","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2017/170013.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nBerlin Packaging, Dangerous Goods Division\n1195 Washington Pike\nBridgeville, PA 15017\nReference No. 17-0013\nDear Mr. Lindsey:\nThis letter is in response to your February 1, 2017, letter requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to certain packaging\nrequirements for nitric acid. You reference § 173.158(e), which states that when nitric acid of'\nless than 90 percent concentration is packed in wooden or fiberboard outer packagings, the glass\ninner packagings must be packed in tightly-closed, intermediate packagings and cushioned with\nan absorbent material. Specifically, you ask if the intent of this section is to require enough\nabsorbent material to absorb the entire contents of the package.\nThe answer is yes. The requirement for absorbent material is such that there must be a sufficient\namount to absorb the entire liquid contents of the package. This is consistent with similar\nrequirements in other sections of the HMR.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nPlease submit this as a letter in interpretation. Please let me know if you have any questions.\nThanks,\nJordan\nFrom: Gary Lindsey - Dangerous Goods [mailto:Gary.Lindsey@berlinpackaging.com]\nSent: Wednesday, February 01, 2017 12:23 PM\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter <PHMSAHMInfoCenter@dot.gov>\nSubject: 49 CFR 173.158 (e)\nHello,\nAttached please find a letter with my question. If additional information is needed, please contact me at the phone\nnumber below.\nRegards,\nGary Lindsey\nBerlin Packaging, Dangerous Goods Division\n1195 Washington Pike\nBridgeville, PA 15017\n412-564-2461\ngary.lindsey@berinpackaging.com\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nRE: Question regarding absorbent - 173.158 (e)\n(e) Nitric acid of less than 90 percent concentration, when offered for transportation or\ntransported by rail, highway, or water may be packaged in 4A, 4B, or 4N metal boxes, 4G fiberboard\nboxes or 4C1, 4C2, 4D or 4F wooden boxes with inside glass packagings of not over 2.5 L (0.66 gallon)\ncapacity each. When placed in wooden or fiberboard outer packagings, the glass inner packagings must\nbe packed in tightly-closed, intermediate packagings, cushioned with an absorbent material. The\nintermediate packaging and absorbent material must be compatible with the nitric acid. See §173.24(e).\nMy question relates to the highlighted section, and very simply, is the intent of the use of absorbent\nmaterial to mean that enough absorbent is required to absorb the entire liquid content of the glass\nbottles within the package?\nThank you for clarification of this matter.\nRegards,\nGary Lindsey\nBerlin Packaging, Dangerous Goods Division\n1195 Washington Pike\nBridgeville, PA 15017\n412-564-2461\ngary.lindsey@berinpackaging.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":2902}