{"operation":"document","citation":"23-0036","title":"National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2023-07-19","effective_on":null,"summary":"23-0036 response to National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors concerning 173.309.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0036.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0036.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-23-0036","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/77721/230036.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nJuly 19, 2023\nMr. David A. Pelton\nVice President, Technical\nNational Association of Fire Equipment Distributors\n55 E. Monroe Street\nSuite 1440\nChicago, IL 60603\nReference No. 23-0036\nDear Mr. Pelton:\nThis letter is in response to your March 20, 2023, letter and subsequent conversation with a\nmember of my staff requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49\nCFR Parts 171-180) applicable to non-specification fire extinguishers.\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1. You ask whether there is a limit on the quantity of non-specification fire extinguishers\nclassed as “UN1044, Fire extinguishers containing compressed or liquefied gas, 2.2” that\ncan be packaged within a combination outer packaging (i.e., a suitable enclosure).\nA1. The answer is no, there is no limit on the number of non-specification non-manifolded\nfire extinguishers that can be packaged within a combination outer packaging—provided\nit is a suitable enclosure and in conformance with all of the provisions of § 173.309(c).\nQ2. You ask whether the combination outer packaging for “UN1044, Fire extinguishers\ncontaining compressed or liquefied gas, 2.2” must be 6-sided.\nA2. The answer is no. As specified in § 173.309(c)(5), each non-specification fire\nextinguisher must be packaged as an inner packaging within a combination outer\npackaging. Examples of acceptable outer packagings for non-specification fire\nextinguishers include large cartons, racks, cages, or other suitable enclosures.\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\nVore\n23-0036\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Interpretation Request / See File Attached\nDate: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 11:37:48 AM\nAttachments: NAFED_DOT Interpretation Request_Mar. \"23.pdf\nHello Alice,\nPlease see the attached interpretation request.\nLet us know if you need anything else.\nRegards,\n-Breanna\nFrom: David Pelton <dpelton@nafed.org>\nSent: Monday, March 20, 2023 8:14 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nSubject: Interpretation Request / See File Attached\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content\nis safe.\nMadam/Sir:\nInterpretation request, please see attached letter. Please confirm receipt. Thank you.\nRegards,\nDavid Pelton\nDavid A. Pelton I Vice President, Technical\nD: 312.462.4368 I O: 312.461.9600\ndpelton@nafed.org\nwww.nafed.org\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nMarch 20, 2023\nHazardous Materials Standards and Rulemaking\nU.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nRE: INTERPRETATION REQUEST - §173.309 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS – SECTION (c)(5)\nDear: Madam/Sir:\n§173.309 Fire Extinguishers – Section (c)(5) states “(c) Non-specification cylinders are authorized as fire\nextinguishers subject to the following conditions: (5) Each non-specification fire extinguisher must be\npackaged as an inner packaging within a combination outer packaging. Examples of acceptable outer\npackagings for non-specification fire extinguishers including large cartons, racks, cages or other\nsuitable enclosures; and.”\nIs there a limit on the quantity of fire extinguishers that can be packaged in a single suitable enclosure,\nand must the enclosure be 6-sided?\nThank you for your assistance in this matter.\nSincerely,\nDavid A. Pelton\nVice President, Technical\n(D): 312.462.4368\ndpelton@nafed.org","truncated":false,"body_characters":3848}