{"operation":"document","citation":"24-0097","title":"National Cargo Bureau — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-12-30","effective_on":null,"summary":"24-0097 response to National Cargo Bureau concerning 171.23, 172.313.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0097.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0097.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0097","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2025-01/240097.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nDecember 30, 2024\nGraeme McPhee\nDirector of Hazardous Materials\nNational Cargo Bureau\n180 Maiden Lane\nSuite 903\nNew York, NY 10038\nReference No. 24-0097\nDear Mr. McPhee:\nThis letter is in response to your October 2, 2024, email requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to marking cargo transport units\n(CTUs) with the appropriate United Nations (UN) identification number for poison inhalation\nhazard (PIH) materials. Specifically, you ask a series of questions regarding the requirement for\nPIH materials found in § 171.23(b) as it relates to the § 172.313(c) marking requirements for PIH\nmaterials when loaded on a CTU and provide us your understanding. Note that it is our\nunderstanding that the questions relate to loading of non-bulk packages at one facility. Further,\nyou seek clarification regarding the marking of CTUs with the appropriate identification number\nfor PIH materials.\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1. You ask which identification number should be displayed for one shipment containing\n800 kg of a PIH material in Hazard Zone A when combined with 1,200 kg of a PIH\nmaterial in Hazard Zone B.\nA1. In accordance with § 172.313(c), a CTU containing a PIH material in non-bulk packages\nshall be marked on each side and each end if it meets conditions in § 172.313(c)(1) and\n(c)(2). Although the CTU contains materials in different hazard zones, only the Hazard\nZone B material is present in 1,000 kg or more; therefore, the identification number for\nthe material in Hazard Zone B shall be marked when loaded at one facility in non-bulk\npackages.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nQ2. You ask which identification number should be displayed for one shipment containing\n1,100 kg of a PIH material in Hazard Zone A when combined with 1,200 kg of a PIH\nmaterial in Hazard Zone B.\nA2. In accordance with § 172.313(c)(3)(ii), if the CTU contains more than one material\nmeeting the conditions of § 172.313(c)(3) and the materials are in both Hazard Zone A\nand B, the CTU shall be marked with the identification number for the Hazard Zone A\nmaterial.\nQ3. You ask whether a CTU that contains a PIH material in Hazard Zone A or Hazard Zone\nB with less than 1,000 kg would be a violation of the transport marking requirements if\nthe identification number is displayed on all four sides of the CTU.\nA3. For purposes of the HMR, the answer is no. There is no prohibition when displaying the\nidentification number as a person is allowed to permissively mark a container provided\nthe marking represents the hazard present in the CTU. For purposes of the International\nMaritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, Section 5.3.2.1—Display of UN Markings—\nspecifies the conditions when to properly mark a CTU, yet it also does not prohibit\npermissive marking of a CTU.\nQ4. You ask whether a CTU that contains only a PIH material in Hazard Zone C or Hazard\nZone D with less than 4,000 kg would be a violation of the transport marking\nrequirements if the identification number is displayed on all four sides of the CTU.\nA4. The answer is no, see answer A3.\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<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nBaker\n24-0097\nFrom: Webb, Steven (PHMSA)\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nSubject: FW: PIH - Display of UN Numbers\nDate: Friday, October 18, 2024 12:01:42 PM\nAttachments: Outlook-cwzzzumb.png\nimage002.png\nAlice,\nPer conversation with the stakeholder please process the below questions as a request for\ninterpretation. The requestors mailing address info is:\nGraeme McPhee\nDirector, Hazardous Materials\nNational Cargo Bureau\n180 Maiden Lane Suite 903\nNew York\nNY 10038\nPlease let me know if you need additional info from me or the requestor.\nV/R\nSteve\nSteve Webb\nAssistant Coordinator International Program\nOffice of Hazardous Material Safety\nUS Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E., E24-422, Washington D.C. 20590\nE24-422\nOffice: 202.366.4579\nPHMSA Home | LinkedIn | Twitter | HAZMAT | OPS\nFrom: Graeme McPhee <mcphee@natcargo.org>\nSent: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 9:01 AM\nTo: Webb, Steven (PHMSA) <steven.webb@dot.gov>\nCc: Eric Rounds <rounds@natcargo.org>\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nSubject: PIH - Display of UN Numbers\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.\nGood morning Steve,\nSorry to bother you, but I'm hoping you can offer some assistance here.\nThe issue is regarding 171.23(b)(10) and subsequently 172.313( c ) and the marking of CTU's with\nthe appropriate UN numbers for PIH's.\nWe need to provide proper instruction to our surveyors, but we are having some differences of\nopinion internally.\nCould I please ask you to review the 4 questions below and comment if the answers are incorrect? If\nwe have these answers, it will help us understand 172.313( c ) better.\nQ1. Which UN number should be displayed for one shipment containing 800 Kg of Zone \"A\"\ncombined with 1200Kg of Zone \"B\"?\nA1. The shipment first has to meet with (1) and (2).... so, in this scenario only the 1200kg of Zone \"B\"\nmeets both (1) and (2). Therefore, it is the UN# for that Zone \"B\" commodity that would be displayed\non both sides, and both ends of the container.\nQ2. Which UN number should be displayed for one shipment containing 1100 Kg of Zone\n\"A\" combined with 1200Kg of Zone \"B\"?\nA2. Zone “A” UN number to be displayed, due to both commodities meeting (1) and (2) and then we\napply - (ii) For different materials in both Hazard Zones A and B, with the identification number for\nthe Hazard Zone A material.\"\nQ3. If the container has Zone A or Zone B commodities with less that 1,000kg, and the UN number is\ndisplayed on all 4 sides of the CTU, is this a deficiency?\nA3. Yes, UN not required under 49CFR and under IMDG Code. IMDG Code is not permissive, so, yes\nthis is a deficiency.\nQ4. If the container has only Zone C (or Zone D) commodity with less than 4,000ks, and the UN\nnumber is displayed on all 4 sides of the CTU, is this a deficiency?\nA4. Yes, UN not required under 49CFR and under IMDG Code, IMDG Code is not permissive, so, yes\nthis is a deficiency.\nRegards\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nGraeme\nGraeme McPhee\nDirector Hazardous Materials\nOffice Main: 212-785-8300\nDirect Line: 212-785-3034\nCell: 917-769-6693","truncated":false,"body_characters":6675}