{"operation":"document","citation":"17-0127","title":"Sandia National Laboratories — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2018-02-08","effective_on":null,"summary":"17-0127 response to Sandia National Laboratories concerning 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0127.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0127.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-17-0127","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/57271/170127.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1515 Eubank SE\nAlbuquerque, NM 87123\nReference No. 17-0127\nDear Mr. Colborg:\nThis letter is in response to your November 15, 2017, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to lithium batteries.\nYou explain that your company produces a non-UN tested prototype lithium battery contained in\nequipment. While the lithium battery weighs less than 12 kg (26.5 pounds), the equipment in\nwhich the lithium battery will be contained weighs more than 12 kg (26.5 pounds). Specifically,\nyou ask if the prototype lithium battery contained in equipment meets the requirements of\n§ 173.185(e)(4), which allow shipment in a strong outer packaging, or if the completed package\nmust meet the requirements of § 173.185(e)(3).\nBased on the information you provided, you would not be permitted to pack the equipment in\nstrong outer packagings, in protective enclosures, or on pallets or other handling devices and\nmust instead comply with UN performance packaging requirements. The 12 kg (26.5 pounds) or\nmore exception in § 173.185(e)(4) applies to the battery only and not the combined weight of the\nbattery and the equipment.\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 see the attached interp request.\nThanks,\n-Breanna\nFrom: Colborg, Shawn P [mailto: spcolbo@sandia.gov]\nSent: Wednesday, November 22, 2017 3:55 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSubject: FW: Request for interpretation\nMy physical address is:\nSandia National Laboratories\nShawn Colborg\n1515 Eubank SE\nAlbuquerque, NM 87123\nShawn Colborg\nHazardous Material Trasportation\nFrom: Colborg, Shawn P\nSent: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 10:07 AM\nTo: 'infocntr@dot.gov' <infocntr@dot.gov>\nSubject: Request for interpretation\nPlease see attached for the requested interpretation.\nThanks\nSHAWN COLBORG\nHAZARDOUS MATERIALS SHIPPING\nSANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES\n505-844-3196\nSPCOLBO@SANDIA.GOV\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nSubject: Request for formal interpretation of 49 CFR 173.185(e)(4)\nDear To whom it may concern:\nSandia National Laboratories (SNL) is seeking clarification concerning 49 CFR 173.185(e)(4) \"Low production runs and\nprototypes\" of lithium cells and batteries.\nSNL routinely makes prototype (non-UN tested) lithium batteries for research and testing with most of them contained\nin a piece of equipment that the battery powers. Some of the batteries that we make or that we are testing on behalf\nof a 3° party vender weighs less than the 12 kg (26.5 Ibs.) as stated in 173.185(e)(4). My question is this: Even though\nthe battery itself weighs less than 12 kg but that battery is mounted (\"contained in equipment\") in the equipment that\nit will be supplying the power to will be well over the 12 kg weight. Would that equipment containing the prototype\nbattery that weighs greater than the 12 kg, meet this provision and would be allowed to be shipped in strong outer\npackaging instead of having to meet the requirements in 173.185(e)(3)(i) and (ii)?\n(e) Low production runs and prototypes. Low production runs (i.e., annual production runs consisting of not\nmore than 100 lithium cells or batteries), or prototype lithium cells or batteries, including equipment\ntransported for purposes of testing, are excepted from the testing and record keeping requirements of\nparagraph (a) of this section, provided: [173.185(e)]\n(4) Lithium batteries, including lithium batteries contained in equipment, that weigh 12 kg (26.5 pounds) or\nmore and have a strong, impact-resistant outer casing or assemblies of such batteries, may be packed in\nstrong outer packagings, in protective enclosures (for example, in fully enclosed or wooden slatted crates),\nor on pallets or other handling devices, instead of packages meeting the UN performance packaging\nrequirements in paragraphs (b)(3)(ii) and (iii) of this section. The battery or battery assembly must be\nsecured to prevent inadvertent movement, and the terminals may not support the weight of other\nsuperimposed elements; [173.185(e)(4)]\nSincerely,\nShawn P. Colbor\nSandia National Laboratories\nHazard Material Transportation\nspcolbo@sandia.gov\n(505) 844-3196\nExceptional Service in the National Interest","truncated":false,"body_characters":4347}