{"operation":"document","citation":"23-0027","title":"Electronic Fluorocarbons — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-02-01","effective_on":null,"summary":"23-0027 response to Electronic Fluorocarbons concerning 173.301, 173.40.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0027.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0027.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0027","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/78171/230027.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nFebruary 1, 2024\nMr. Jason Bombard, PE\nElectronic Fluorocarbons\n3266 Bergey Road\nHatfield, PA 19440\nReference No. 23-0027\nDear Mr. Bombard:\nThis is in response to your March 14, 2023, letter concerning the filling densities of specification\ncylinders under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). In your\nletter, you ask about the maximum allowable filling density of a specification cylinder containing\na mixture comprised of 30% Fluorine, 60% Nitrogen, and 10% Argon by volume. You state that\nyou offer this mixture using the proper shipping name “UN3306, Compressed gas, toxic,\noxidizing, corrosive, n.o.s. Inhalation Hazard Zone B, 2.3, (5.1, 8).” You also note that\n§ 173.301a(d)(3) limits the pressure in a specification cylinder to no higher than its service\npressure at 55°C (131°F). You ask whether there is any additional hazard posed by the fluorine\ncontent of this mixture that would further limit the service pressure of the specification cylinder.\nThe answer is no. Provided your material is properly classed as “UN3306, Compressed gas,\ntoxic, oxidizing, corrosive, n.o.s. Inhalation Hazard Zone B, 2.3, (5.1, 8),” the pressure in a\nspecification cylinder at 55°C (131°F) must be limited to the service pressure of the cylinder in\naccordance with §§ 173.301a(d)(3) and 173.40(b). Please note that sufficient outage must be\nprovided so that the cylinder will not be liquid full at 55°C (131°F).\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n3266 Bergey Road\nHatfield, PA 19440\nPhone: 215.443.9600\nFax: 888-817-7161\nwww.efgases.com\n23-0027 Andrews\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nMarch 14, 2023\nInterpretation of 49 CFR\nDear Sir or Madam:\nI am writing to ask for an interpretation of 49 CFR regarding the maximum allowable filling density of\na 30% F2, 60% N2, 10% Ar mixture by volume. This is shipped as UN3306: Compressed Gas, Toxic,\nOxidizing, Corrosive, N.O.S. with a Zone B hazard classification. 173.301a(d)(3) limits the pressure\nin the cylinder to no higher than its service pressure at 55 °C (131 °F). Is there any additional hazard\nposed by the fluorine content that would further limit this?\nThank you for your help with this. If you have any questions or I can provide any clarification, please\ndo not hesitate to contact me.\nBest regards,\nJason Bombard, PE\n215-443-9600 X 123\njbombard@efgases.com","truncated":false,"body_characters":2736}