# Fibrebond — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **operation:** document - **citation:** 26-0051 - **title:** Fibrebond — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **source type:** guidance - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** guidance - **official:** true - **published on:** 2026-07-08 - **effective on:** Not available - **summary:** 26-0051 response to Fibrebond concerning 172.102, 172.332, 173.185, 173.22. - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0051.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0051.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0051 - **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2026-07/26-0051.pdf **body:** <<>> U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration July 8, 2026 Chet Carpenter Director of Technical Sales Fiberbond 1300 Davenport Drive Minden, LA 71055 Reference No. 26-0051 Dear Mr. Carpenter: This letter is in response to your April 24, 2026 letter regarding the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) and the shipment of lithium batteries. In your letter you reference a previous Letter of Interpretation (LOI). 1 Specifically, you ask for confirmation regarding the appropriate classification of your shipment of lithium-ion batteries housed in shippable buildings. Can PHMSA confirm your ability to ship a set of lithium-ion batteries tested to UN3480, and packed within custom-manufactured engineered racks in a shippable building or container per the requirements in UN3536, including Special Provision 389? No. As stated in § 173.22, it is strictly the responsibility of the shipper to properly classify, test, and package hazardous materials. Because PHMSA does not evaluate or certify specific designs or operations, we cannot definitively confirm whether you have packaged your shipment correctly. However, your shipment may be classified as “UN3536, Lithium batteries installed in a cargo transport unit,” provided it meets all the conditions outlined in Special Provision 389. To utilize this classification and provision, your shippable building and the internal batteries must meet the following criteria: • The lithium batteries must be designed only to provide power external to the cargo transport unit. • The batteries must meet the requirements of § 173.185(a) and contain the necessary systems to prevent overcharge and over-discharge between the batteries. 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 1 Fujitrans USA Inc., Letter of Interpretation Reference Number 22-0086, available at: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/interp/22-0086 <<>> • The batteries must be securely attached to the interior structure of the unit (e.g., your custom-manufactured racks) to prevent short circuits, accidental operation, and significant movement during transport. • The unit must not contain any hazardous materials other than those necessary for the safe and proper operation of the cargo transport unit itself (such as fire extinguishing systems or air conditioning systems). • The cargo transport unit must display the UN number in accordance with § 172.332 and be placarded on two opposing sides. I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Alexander Wolcott Acting Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> 26-0051 Cajar From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Baker. Yul (PHMSA) Hazmat Interps FW: Letter of Interpretation Request Tuesday, August 26, 2025 10:09:52 AM Hi Yul, Please see the attached interpretation request. Let us know if you need anything. Janaye From: Carpenter, Chet Sent: Monday, August 25, 2025 5:19 PM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Subject: Letter of Interpretation Request IYou don't often get email from chetca,:penter@eaton com. Learn why this is impmtaot CAUTION: 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. Hello PHMSA, I'm writing to make a formal letter of interpretation request. My letter is attached as well as a reference document. Please let me know if there is any further information you may need to process this request at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time, uPLEASE NOTE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGEDu CHET CARPENTER DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SALES Now a part of Eaton F F I s R E s o N o· 1300 Davenport Drive Minden, LA 71055 -ton.com www.fihrehond.com <<>> August 25, 2025 U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10) East Building 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov RE: Letter of Interpretation Request Dear Sir/Madam: Fibrebond is a modular building manufacturer performing work in the industrial and data center industries. Our manufactured, industrial equipment buildings are transported via specialized hauling equipment by a select few motor vehicle carriers. Recently it was requested that we include in our buildings during shipment full racks of lithium-ion batteries containing multiple cells within custom- manufactured battery racks. These racks are engineered by the battery makers for the specific purpose of safely housing batteries during transport, storage, and use. I am requesting confirmation on our ability to ship a set of lithium-ion batteries tested to UN3480, then in turn packed (in engineered racks) in a shippable building/container per requirements in UN3536 including special provision 389. I am using Interpretation Letter 22-0086 (attached) as a basis. Please advise at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Chet Carpenter______ Chet Carpenter Director of Technical Sales Fibrebond Corporation, now a part of Eaton <<>> 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration November 7, 2022 Ms. Laura Warren Vice President Fujitrans USA Inc. 1231 E 230th Street Carson, CA 90745 Reference No. 22-0086 Dear Ms. Warren: This letter is in response to your August 22, 2022, email and subsequent conversations with a member of my staff requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to requirements for transporting lithium ion batteries and nickel- metal hydride batteries by highway. Specifically, you describe a scenario in which your company facilitates the highway movement of 1) “UN3480, Lithium ion batteries, 9” with a watt-hour (Wh) rating greater than 300 Wh, and 2) “UN3496, Batteries, nickel-metal hydride, 9.” You ask several questions regarding the training, hazard communication, and emergency response information (ERI) requirements for highway transportation of these hazardous materials. Regarding nickel-metal hydride batteries, a nickel-metal hydride battery transported by highway is not subject to any of the requirements of the HMR, except for incident reporting and basic packaging requirements to protect the batteries from damage and short-circuit during movement. Nickel-metal hydride batteries transported by highway are not subject to the HMR’s hazard communication or training requirements. See § 172.102(c)(1) Special Provision 130 for further details on the requirements applicable to nickel-metal hydride batteries transported by highway. We have paraphrased and answered your questions as applicable to the transportation of large lithium ion batteries greater than 300 Wh as follows: Q1. You ask whether drivers are required to have a hazardous material (hazmat) endorsement on their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to transport the described lithium ion batteries by highway. A1. The answer is no, a driver is not required to have a hazmat endorsement on their CDL to transport lithium ion batteries by highway in the United States. Section 172.504(f)(9) <<>> states that a Class 9 placard is not required for domestic transportation. Therefore, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations would not require a driver to have a hazmat endorsement on their CDL. However, please be aware that in accordance with § 177.800(c), each driver who is a hazmat employee is subject to the training requirements in Subpart H of Part 172 and the driver training requirements in § 177.816, regardless of whether a hazmat endorsement is required on their CDL. Q2. You ask whether dock workers involved in the transloading of a shipping container containing these lithium ion batteries from a vessel to a motor vehicle are required to be “hazmat certified.” A2. Based on the understanding that “hazmat certified” means a hazmat employer has certified that a hazmat employee has been trained and tested in accordance with Part 172, Subpart H, then the answer is yes—depending on the function(s) performed by the employee relating to the safe transportation of the lithium ion batteries. The HMR’s training requirements (see Part 172, Subpart H) apply to all employees directly affecting hazardous materials transportation safety. This includes persons who load, unload, or handle hazardous materials; prepare hazardous materials for transportation; or who transport hazardous materials subject to the HMR (see generally, §§ 171.1, 172.702(b)). Q3. You ask whether the bill of lading (i.e., the shipping paper) presented to the motor vehicle carrier must comply with the requirements of the HMR. A3. The answer is yes. The bill of lading for the described lithium ion batteries is subject to the hazardous materials shipping paper requirements of Part 172, Subpart C. Q4. You ask whether a safety data sheet (SDS) is required to be provided to the driver of the motor vehicle. A4. A shipment of the described lithium ion batteries is subject to the ERI requirements in accordance with Part 172, Subpart G. An SDS could be used to meet the ERI requirement (see § 172.602(b)(3)); however, it is not the only way to meet the content and accessibility requirements for ERI. Q5. You ask whether the consignee of the shipment is required to have “hazmat certified” employees unload the shipping container after delivery. A5. The answer is dependent on the details of the delivery procedure at the consignee’s facility. If consignee employees unload the lithium ion batteries from the shipping container while the motor carrier is still present, then this meets the definition of “unloading incidental to movement” and therefore, the consignee employees must be trained in accordance with Part 172, Subpart H requirements. However, if the unloading occurs after the carrier has departed (i.e., no longer with or in presence of carrier personnel), then transportation has ended with respect to the shipment and the consignee employees are not subject to the HMR. See § 171.1(c)(3) for further details. <<>> Q6. You ask whether hazardous material storage protocols are required to be followed at the consignee’s facility. A6. This question is beyond the scope of the HMR. Requirements for the storage of lithium ion batteries may be found in state and local fire codes and regulations issued by the Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Dirk Der Kinderen Chief, Standards Development Branch Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> Patrick From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) To: Subject: Date: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA); Hazmat Interps FW: Los Angeles transloading Lithium batteries Monday, August 22, 2022 2:34:48 PM Attachments: image001.png 22-0086 Dear Alice and team, Please see the interp request below. I apologize for the messy format of the email, as there was a delay in the inquirer sending their address. Please let me know if anything else is needed. Best, Rachel (HMIC) From: laura@fujitransusa.com Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 2:03 PM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Subject: RE: Los Angeles transloading Lithium batteries CAUTION: 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. Hello Rachel, Thank you for your prompt reply. Please note answers below: Laura Warren, VP Fujitrans USA Inc. 1231 E 230th Street Carson, CA 90745 (310) 600-1569 From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 10:34 AM To: laura@fujitransusa.com Subject: RE: Los Angeles transloading Lithium batteries Dear Laura, We have received your request for a written letter of interpretation regarding the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180). The hazardous materials regulations are available at the following URL: <<>> https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/phmsa-regulations However, before we can submit your request for processing, please respond to this email with: Full Name Physical Mailing Address Telephone Number Sincerely, Rachel, Hazardous Materials Specialist An e-mail response from this office is considered informal guidance. Formal guidance may be requested in accordance with 49 CFR 105.20. https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/standards- rulemaking/hazmat/hazardous-materials-information-center From: laura@fujitransusa.com Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 8:17 AM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Subject: Los Angeles transloading Lithium batteries CAUTION: 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. Hello Phsma, Please see below and attached. Fujitrans is a logistics company in the Los Angeles Area. We are currently offering our services to an importer and some of the shipments They are import are lithium batteries UN3980 and UN3496. They are imported on the Water and follow the requirements from the IMDG which requires IMO’s and placards To be issued and used for all handling for ocean transport. The big question and confusion is still the domestic and highway transportation. I have Received information that once the shipment is a domestic shipment moving over the Highway the haz mat protocal is not required. Is that correct: 1. Drivers are not required to be haz mat certified and no endorsement is required on Their CDL license??? Since the attached indicates no CDL endorsement is required then Logic would be that the shipment is deemed non hazardous / non regulated so no haz Protocal or procedures are required. No placarding, no hazardous indicated shipping <<>> Papers and no training is required to handle these shipments??? 2. Dock workers handling the transloading from ocean container to domestic trailer are not Required to be haz mat certified??? 3. Truck BOL is not required to indicate any haz mat detail with class, proper shipping name Etc??? 4. MSDS is not required to be included with the load, with the driver??? 5. Consignee is not required to use haz mst certified dock workers to handle the shipment Upon deliver?? 6. No haz mat protocal is required during storage at consignee’s facility?? This is my confusion that I need clarification. I understand how to handle for air And ocean. My confusion starts once the shipments are domestic and in need of Highway motor carrier transportation. Are the shipments imported by ocean under UN3480 and UN3496 non regulated Once they are transported by highway by motor carrier truck service??? Please confirm soonest and I would like the opportunity to call your offices this Morning to discuss and confirm. You will see the attached includes a letter from The PHSMA confirming that drivers are not required to have a CDL endorsement On their license so that would steer me to handle the entire shipment as a non Regulated / non hazardous shipment. Please advise soonest. Best Regards, Laura Warren Fujitrans USA inc. (310) 600-1569 Hi Laura, Your enquiry was passed to me by our LA office. It is a little out of our normal purview, but I think you are on the correct path. Please see the attached PHMSA interpretation, specifically a similar question and answer below (Q2 and A2) for guidance. Q2: You ask whether the driver of a motor vehicle transporting an energy storage system classified as “UN3536, Lithium batteries installed in cargo transport unit, 9” is required to have a hazmat endorsement on his or her Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). <<>> A2: The answer is no. For purposes of 49 CFR Part 383 and the applicability of the CDL hazmat endorsement, a “hazardous material” is defined in 49 CFR 383.5 as a material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under Subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172; or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73. In your scenario, the cargo transport unit does not require placards under Subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 (see § 172.504(f)(9)). The PHMSA interpretation website has a search function (magnifying glass on the left and enter the CFR section) which can be useful tracking previous interpretations related to a particular section of code. Link below. https://www7.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/b/2/1 Interpretations | PHMSA 49 CFR Parts 100 - 199 This section provides interpretations related to PHMSA’s safety regulations, as well as regulations parts identified by the part number and subject. www7.phmsa.dot.gov Regards, Robert Harris Deputy Chief Surveyor - Pacific Ports National Cargo Bureau Mobile: (206) 900-6497 Email: harris@natcargo.org Visit our Website: www.natcargo.org Our Mission: Safety of Life and Cargo at Sea From: laura@fujitransusa.com Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:34:27 AM To: ncblax@natcargo.org Subject: Tacoma and Los Angees transloading Hello Greg, <<>> See below. So I think I found the reg. Does that reg cover the 2 UN’s I sent you??? UN3480 and UN3496??? My assumption is that we do not need haz drivers or placards when transporting By truck. Please confirm.. Thanks much, Laura Warren Fujitrans USA Inc. (310) 600-1569 For Class 9 (Miscellaneous) hazardous materials, placards are not required to be displayed for domestic transportation, including the domestic portion of international transportation, that occurs within the United States (see § 172.504(f)(9) of the HMR). In accordance with the FMCSA regulations, only drivers of vehicles transporting hazardous materials that are required to be placarded in accordance with Subpart F of Part 172 of the HMR must have a hazardous materials endorsement to their CDL (See § 383.93). Thus, a hazardous materials endorsement is not required for a driver transporting any quantity of Class 9 materials, even when placarded with Class 9 placards. He also shared this link to FMSCA’s guide for placarding that clearly states Class 9 is not required for domestic transportation, bulk transport is required to display the ID but not to be a hazmat certified driver or be covered under hazmat insurance. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Hazardous_Materials_Markings_Labeling _and_Placarding_Guide.pdf Virus-free. www.avg.com - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 18696