{"operation":"document","citation":"19-0045","title":"Maryland Department of Environment — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2020-01-09","effective_on":null,"summary":"19-0045 response to Maryland Department of Environment concerning 171.10, 171.8, 173.115.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-19-0045.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-19-0045.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-19-0045","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/73126/190045.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nJAN O 9 2020\nMichael Polinski\nMaryland Department of Environment\n1800 Washington Blvd, Suite 105\nBaltimore, MD 21230\nReference No. 19-0045\nDear Mr. Polinksi:\nThis letter is in response to your April 3, 2019, email requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CPR Parts 171-180) applicable to the definition of a bulk\npackaging for a gas. Based on subsequent phone conversations, we have rephrased some of the\ndetails of your question. You describe two cylinders, i.e., ASME specification cylinder (similar\nto the DOT 4B specification) and DOT 4B, respectively, and indicate that both cylinders have a\nwater capacity of 1000 pounds and a volumetric capacity of 120 gallons. You also indicate that\nboth cylinders are filled with propane. You ask whether the cylinders are a bulk packaging or a\nnon-bulk packaging.\nA DOT 4B cylinder with a water capacity of 1,000 pounds or less is a non-bulk packaging. Per\nthe definition of a bulk packaging in § 171.8, a cylinder with a water capacity greater than 454\nkg (1,000 pounds) that is used as a receptacle for a gas, as defined in§ 173.115 of the HMR, is\nconsidered bulk. Furthermore, in accordance with § 171.10, where metric units appear, they are\nconsidered the regulatory standard of the HMR. In this instance, the metric unit of 454 kg\nappears and thus is the standard; and converts to approximately 1,001 pounds of water.\nTherefore, provided the cylinder has a water capacity of not more than 454 kg, the cylinder\nmeets the definition of a non-bulk packaging, regardless of the gallon conversion ( e.g., 454 kg =\n~119.8 gal).\nAlso, note the definition of bulk packaging is used for purposes of the HMR and only applies to\npackagings transported in commerce. The same principle would apply to an ASME specification\ncylinder with a described volumetric capacity of 120 gallons. However, only in some situations\nmay an ASME specification cylinder filled with a hazardous material be offered into\ntransportation in commerce.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nsm~ll J?P~\nChief, Standards Development\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nCi c ccx.eD(l.Q__\nl9-cafb\nJanuary, lkeya CTR (PHMSA)\nFrom:\nSent:\nTo:\nSubject:\nAttachments:\nGeller, Shelby (PHMSA)\nThursday, April 04, 2019 11:31 AM\nHazmat Interps\nFW: Interpretation of Bulk Packageing for Receptacle for Gas\nBulk packaging.docx\nHi Alice and lkeya,\nSee the below request for a letter of interpretation.\nThanks,\nShelby\nFrom: Michael Polinski -MDE [mailto:michael.polinski@maryland.gov]\nSent: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 1:47 PM\nTo: Geller, Shelby (PHMSA) <shelby.geller@dot.gov>\nSubject: Interpretation of Bulk Packageing for Receptacle for Gas\nTo whom it may concern\nI am requesting an interpretation with regards to Bulk Packagings of Receptacles for a gas as described in the\nattachment of this email.\nMy address is as follows:\nMaryland Dept of Environment\n1800 Washington Blvd, Ste 105\nBaltimore, MD 21230\nPhone#: 410-808-0571\np-1,, clr~rl-< +t\n.-H L/rD -S)::J--3~1J\nMichael Polinski\nClick here to complete a three question customer experience survey.\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nTo whom it may concern\nSubject: Bulk Package Definition on Receptacle for a gas.\nScenario:\nASME 120 and DOT 4B Upright Cylinders for Liquiefied Petroleum Gas.\nlnspection of a Straight Body Service Truck carrying an ASME 120 or an DOT 4B upright cylinder for\nPropane.\nRegulation: §171.8 Definitions and abbreviations.\nBulk packaging means a packaging, other than a vessel or a barge, including a transport\nvehicle or freight container, in which hazardous materials are loaded with no intermediate form\nof containment. A Large Packaging in which hazardous materials are loaded with an\nintermediate form of containment, such as one or more articles or inner packagings, is also a\nbulk packaging. Additionally, a bulk packaging has:\n(1) A maximum capacity greater than 450 L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a liquid;\n(2) A maximum net mass greater than 400 kg (882 pounds) and a maximum capacity\ngreater than 450 L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a solid; or\n(3) A water capacity greater than 454 kg (1000 pounds) as a receptacle for a gas as\ndefined in § 173.115 of this subchapter.\nEquation:\n120 Gal x 8.3333333333 Weight of Water= 1,000 Lbs Water Capacity.\nOr\n1,000 Lbs Water Capacity 7 120 Gal= 8.3333333333 Weight of Water.\nQuestion:\nAre the ASME 120 and/or DOT 4B Upright Cylinders Bulk or Non-Bulk Packages as defined by the\nDefinition in 171.8 Bulk Packaging? Both Cylinders have a WC of 1,000 Lbs with 120 Gal's of Water.\nAn Interpretation with regards to these packagings is requested so further confusion regarding this part of\nthe regulations can be settled.","truncated":false,"body_characters":4882}