# Department of California Highway Patrol — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 98-0119
- **title:** Department of California Highway Patrol — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1998-07-01
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 98-0119 response to Department of California Highway Patrol concerning 172.202.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0119.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0119.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0119
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980119.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S Department
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Research
Siminsations
JUL 1
1998
Mr. R. B. Wood
Senior Traffic Officer
Ref. No.: 98-0119
Department of California Highway Patrol
32951 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Dear Officer Wood:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of a quantity description on a shipping
paper and the shipping description for gasoline. I apologize for the delay in responding.
Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows:
Question 1. Would the term 2 steel bins be a proper total quantity description on an
shipping paper for a transport vehicle carrying 2 IBC's?
The answer is yes. Any container with a maximum capacity greater than 450L (119 gallons) as a
receptacle for a liquid, or a maximum net mass greater than 400 kg (882 lbs), and a maximum
capacity greater than 450L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a solid (see § 171.8, bulk packaging)
is considered to be a bulk packaging. Section 172.202 (a) (5) states that for bulk packages (e.g.,
IBCs), some indication of total quantity must be shown; the indication "2 steel bins" is
acceptable.
Question 2. May a shipper of gasoline insert into the shipping description octane and
temperature readings after the packing group and before the total quantity?
The answer is yes. Section 172.201 (a) (4) states that the shipping paper may contain additional
information about the material provided the information is not inconsistent with the shipping
description. The additional information must appear after the basic description required by
§ 172.202 (a) (1), (2), (3), and (4).
I trust this satisfies your inquiry. If this office can be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely,
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

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05/81/1998 09:35
7144874004
CALIF. HWY PATROL
PAGE 01/01
• State of Califomia
1714-661-6215
Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
32951 Camino Capistrano
Memorandum
San Juan capstano, 42675
Date:
June 1, 1998
To:
Edward Mazzullo
US DOT RSPA
From:
DEPARTMENI OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
CHP Capistrano R.B. Wood 5997
File No.:
690/5997
Subject:
INTERPRETATION OF CER 49 172.202A5
Dear Mr. Mazzullo
Would the term 2 steel bins be a proper total quantity description on a shipping paper for a
transport vehicle carrying 2 IBC's?
octane and temperature readings, affer the packing group and before the total quantity? 172.2026
The second question would be, can a shipper for gasoline, insert into the shipping description
states that the basic description is in a(1 through 4).
Please respond as soon as possible, my Fax is 949 487 4000
Thank you very much for your help.
000l 5997
R. B. Wood
Senior Traffic Officer
CHP 51WP (Rev, 11-86) OP1076
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