{"operation":"document","citation":"21-0009","title":"BCA Packaging Services — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2021-04-30","effective_on":null,"summary":"21-0009 response to BCA Packaging Services concerning 173.56.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-21-0009.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-21-0009.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-21-0009","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/74981/210009.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nApril 30, 2021\nNelson Kays\nPackaging Engineering Specialist\nBCA Packaging Services\nReference No. 21-0009\nDear Mr. Kays:\nThis letter is in response to your January 29, 2021, letter and previous phone conversations\nrequesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)\napplicable to UN Series 6(d) testing. Specifically, you describe a scenario in which your\ncompany repackages and reoffers an explosive that is currently approved under EX2003030247;\nhowever, the approval is issued to a different company. Furthermore, you state that when\nrepackaged, the explosive continues to be identified and associated with the manufacturer and\nproduct designation/part number specified in the EX approval.\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1. You ask whether your company can reproduce the packaging authorized in\nEX2003030247 without conducting UN Series 6(d) testing. You indicate that the\nreproduced packaging retains the specified segregation dimensions, spacing, and\nmaterials of construction of the original inner and intermediate packaging, but is\ndesigned to hold less than 20 intermediate packagings (i.e., less than the maximum\nspecified in the EX approval).\nA1. The answer is yes. The EX approval authorizes the transportation of the explosive in the\npackaging configuration outlined in the Competent Authority Approval (i.e., the EX\napproval) letter, and indicates that the explosive meets the UN Series 6(d) test criteria\nwhen in the prescribed configuration. Therefore, when the reproduced packaging meets\nall of the conditions prescribed in the packaging notes, the approval remains valid\nwithout needing new UN Series 6(d) testing. Please note that the explosive still must be\noffered under the EX approval, and must be associated with the manufacturer and product\ndesignation/part number specified in the EX approval.\n\n<<>>\n\nQ2. You ask whether an UN Specification 4G (fiberboard) box must be used as the outer\npackaging when reproducing the packaging, as described in Q1.\nA2. The answer is yes. See answer A1 as well as the EX approval for outer packaging\nrequirements.\nQ3. You ask whether the materials of construction (i.e., the specific fiberboard material,\nfluting, number of corrugate layers or edge crush/burst strength of board, etc.) must be\nidentical to the UN Specification 4G (fiberboard) box in the EX approval, when\nreproducing the packaging as described in Q1.\nA3. The answer is no, unless a difference in the outer packaging would impact the\nclassification of the explosive. As specified in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria,\nSection 16.7.1.3.1, explosives shall be submitted for UN Series testing “in the same\ncondition and form in which they are offered for transport.” While the EX approval does\nnot specify criteria regarding the UN Specification 4G (fiberboard) box, the classification\nof an explosive article or substance is based on the packaging configuration used during\ntesting. Therefore, a change to the packaging configuration, such as a change to the UN\nSpecification 4G (fiberboard) box, that would impact the classification of the explosive\narticle or substance (e.g., a change that would affect test results), would constitute a “new\nexplosive” in accordance with § 173.56(a)(2).\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDirk Der Kinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<>>\n\nGeller\n21-0009\nHello Mr. Foster,\nI am writing to request a formal letter of interpretation. Can you please provide guidance in regards to\n49CFR§172.102 (c)(1)347?\nThe Special Provision States:\nEffective July 1, 2011, for transportation by aircraft, this entry may only be used if the results of Test series 6(d) of\nPart I of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) have demonstrated that any\nhazardous effects from accidental functioning are confined to within the package. Effective January 1, 2012, for\ntransportation by vessel, this entry may only be used if the results of Test Series 6(d) of Part I of the UN Manual of\nTests and Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) have demonstrated that any hazardous effects from\naccidental functioning are confined to within the package. Effective January 1, 2014, for transportation domestically\nby highway or rail, this entry may only be used if the results of Test Series 6(d) of Part I of the UN Manual of Tests\nand Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter) have demonstrated that any hazardous effects from accidental\nfunctioning are confined to within the package. Testing must be performed or witnessed by a person who is approved\nby the Associate Administrator (see §173.56(b) of this subchapter). All successfully conducted tests or reassignment\nto another compatibility group require the issuance of a new or revised approval by the Associate Administrator prior\nto transportation on or after the dates specified for each authorized mode of transport in this special provision.\nMy question has 2 parts\nPart 1:\nCan Boeing produce 6(d) tested packaging as specified by a CA letter without further 6(d) testing?\nPacific scientific offers a 4x5 array of 20count 1.4s P/N 52000735-1 in one package as approved under\nEX2003030247 with a completed 6(d) test.\nBoeing would like to reproduce the inner packagings and intermediate packaging. All specified dimensions,\nspacing and materials will be retained with a reduced quantity of inner packagings. Pacific Scientific P/N\n52000735-1 will be offered for shipment using EX2003030247 without further 6(d) testing.\nPart 2:\nIs the specification of outer packaging (4G Box) included in requirements of the 6(d) test?\nCA Letter specifies 4G fiberboard but does not specify flute, number of corrugate layers or edge\ncrush/burst strength of board. Is Boeing able to specify grade of 4G corrugated fiberboard based on POP’s\ntesting alone or does it need to match the specific board material used in the 6(d) test by Pacific Scientific?\nAttachments:\n• EX2003030247.pdf\n• M2252-D37511-3.pdf\n• D37511-3_PRODUCT STANDARD.pdf\n\n<<>>\n\nGeller\nFrom: Foster, Glenn (PHMSA)\nTo: Subject: Date: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA); Hillman, Kenetha CTR (PHMSA)\n[EXTERNAL] Repackaging Explosives, UN6(d) criteria, UN0323 Cartridge Power Device 1.4S\nMonday, February 1, 2021 10:46:39 AM\n21-0009\nAlice / Kenetha\nPlease see the attached request for an Interp for processing and assignment to a Specialist.\nThanks,\nGlenn\nFrom: Kays (US), Nelson S [mailto:nelson.s.kays@boeing.com]\nSent: Friday, January 29, 2021 5:15 PM\nTo: Foster, Glenn (PHMSA) \nCc: Fink, William (PHMSA) ; Boik (US), Randy P ; Burger, Donald (PHMSA) ; Singh, Harpreet (PHMSA)\n; Raszewski, Kimberly (PHMSA) ; Nicklous, Joseph (PHMSA) ; Payne (US), Scott B\n; Vos, Brian (PHMSA) ; Pollack, Arthur (PHMSA) ; Roth (US), Randolph R \nSubject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Repackaging Explosives, UN6(d) criteria, UN0323 Cartridge Power Device 1.4S\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nHello all,\nThank you for taking the time to meet with us and discuss 6(d) testing requirements,\nPlease see attached for Boeings formal request for interpretation and supporting documents.\nThank you,\nNelson Kays\nPackaging Engineering Specialist\nEnterprise Transportation, Warehousing & Logistics\nWork: 425-306-2826\nCell: 714-615-9170\nnelson.s.kays@boeing.com\nBCA Packaging Services\n___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________\n-----Original Appointment-----\nFrom: Fink, William (PHMSA) [mailto:William.Fink@dot.gov]\nSent: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 1:04 PM\nTo: Fink, William (PHMSA); Burger, Donald (PHMSA); Singh, Harpreet (PHMSA); Raszewski, Kimberly (PHMSA); Foster, Glenn (PHMSA); Nicklous, Joseph (PHMSA); Payne (US), Scott B\nCc: Vos, Brian (PHMSA); Pollack, Arthur (PHMSA)\nSubject: [EXTERNAL] Repackaging Explosives, UN6(d) criteria, UN0323 Cartridge Power Device 1.4S\nWhen: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 3:00 PM-4:00 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).\nWhere: Microsoft Teams Meeting\nEXT email: be mindful of\nlinks/attachments.\n \nNOTE:   WE WILL NOT BE USING MSTEAMS AS SOME DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY.\n \n \nYour conference has been setup for January 19, 2021.\n \nYour dial in number will be 202-366-6338\n \nYour schedule time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm\n \nNumber of lines: 15\n \nYour passcode is: 217764\n \n \n \nAgenda:\n \n1. Introductions\n2. Statement of the request\n3. Review of EX2003030247 (attached)\n4. Packaging as received by Boeing\n5. Re-packaged\n6. PHMSA comments on what was presented.\n7. Additional information requested/required.\n8. Interp letter necessary?\n9. Comments/Concerns\n10. Action items\n11. Ajournment\n \nWilliam Fink\nIF YOU FORWARDED THE INVITE PLEASE DO SO AGAIN.\n\n<<>>\n\nTransportation Specialist\nWilliam.Fink@dot.gov\n \nUS Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington DC, 20590\nOffice: 202-366-1108 ◊\n \nPHMSA Home | LinkedIn | Twitter | HAZMAT | OPS\n<< File: image001.jpg >>        << File: image002.png >>\n \n<< File: image003.png >>\n \nMeeting  Suggested-\n“…suggest that it may be best to set up a call with Mr. Payne and include our technical experts as well.  To ensure we fully understand the nuance and provide a coordinated\nresponse.  That way our experts can ask questions and make sure we understand the scenario fully before we provide any definitive advice.” \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nBackground:\n \n \nFrom: Payne (US), Scott B\nSent: Friday, November 13, 2020 5:09 PM\nTo: 'William.schoonover@dot.gov' \nSubject: Boeing 1.4S shipping\n \nMr. William Schoonover\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n13 November 2020\n \nThe Boeing Company – Global Services\nSpares Distribution Center\nSeaTac, WA  98138\n \n \n \nMr. Schoonover,\n \nI am contacting you at the direction of my colleague, Dean Ramert. Dean mentioned that he had the opportunity to sit with you at a roundtable session during a COSTHA conference last year\nand you provided valuable feedback to the attendees.\n \nThe issue I am needing guidance with is the packaging of 1.4S Explosives and whether or not a UN 6(D) test is required.\n \nBoeing is a reseller of spare parts for commercial aircraft, and as such, has a large catalog of parts available to our customers. Some of these are Classified as 1.4S Explosives. \n \nAfter speaking to several authorities over the years, we have been operating under the impression that we could “piggyback” off of a manufacturers’ Approval without additional UN 6(D)\ntesting as long as we replicated the intermediate packaging called out in the test report (  I am attaching EX 2003030247 for reference).\n \nDean has recently decided to retire and a new group has assumed his statement of work. The new team is questioning our previous interpretations.\n \nI am hoping you can provide guidance on how we can get this question answered so that we may go forward with the design and testing of our packaging.\n \nI look forward to hearing your thoughts.\n \n \nRespectfully,\n \n \nScott Payne\nManager – SDC Packaging Operations\nFriday-Sunday,  6am-6pm.\n<< File: image004.jpg >> 206-544-0070 | Cell: 206-769-3979\n \n \n \n________________________________________________________________________________\nThe United States Department of Transportation\nLearn More | Help | Meeting options\n________________________________________________________________________________\n  << File: image005.jpg >> << File: image006.png >> << File: image007.png >> << File: image008.jpg >> << File:","truncated":false,"body_characters":12535}