# Signode Packaging Systems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 98-0373
- **title:** Signode Packaging Systems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1998-02-10
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 98-0373 response to Signode Packaging Systems concerning 171.8.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0373.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0373.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0373
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980373.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
20590
Research and
Administration
special Programs
FEB 1 0 1998
Mr. Mark T. Hughes
Senior Packaging Research Engineer
Signode Packaging Systems
3640 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, Illinois 60025
Dear Mr. Hughes:
This is in response to your letter, and telephone conversation with Diane LaValle of my staff,
requesting clarification on the definition of non-bulk composite packagings regarding the use
of flexible plastic woven bags under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts
171-180). Specifically, you describe a flexible woven plastic bag which has corrugated
fiberboard sewn between the layers of woven material to provide rigidity and a 3 mil. plastic
liner and ask if it may be described as a UN 6HH1 composite packaging (i.e., a plastic
receptacle within a protective plastic drum).
The answer is no. A packaging certified as a UN 6HH1 must be constructed as provided in
§ 178.509 (Standards for plastic drums and jerricans). However, as provided in
§ 178.601(h), a packaging having specifications different from those in §§ 178.504-178.523
may be used if approved by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. Such
packagings must be shown to be equally effective and the testing methods used must be
equivalent.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
She Hillip of.
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Regulations Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
171.8

<<<PAGE 2>>>

of Transportation
U.S.Department
Washington, D.C.
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
20590
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
FEB 10 1998
Mr. Mark T. Hughes
Senior Packaging Research Engineer
Signode Packaging Systems
3640 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, Illinois 60025
Dear Mr. Hughes:
This is in response to your letter, and telephone conversation with Diane LaValle of my staff,
requesting clarification on the definition of non-bulk composite packagings regarding the use
of flexible plastic woven bags under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR parts
171-180). Specifically, you describe a flexible woven plastic bag which has corrugated
fiberboard sewn between the layers of woven material to provide rigidity and a 3 mil. plastic
liner and ask if it may be described as a UN 6HH1 composite packaging (i.e., a plastic
receptacle within a protective plastic drum).
The answer is no. A packaging certified as a UN 6HH1 must be constructed as provided in
§ 178.509 (Standards for plastic drums and jerricans). However, as provided in
§ 178.601(h), a packaging having specifications different from those in §§ 178.504-178.523
may be used if approved by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. Such
packagings must be shown to be equally effective and the testing methods used must be
equivalent.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
She Hillip of.
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Regulations Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
980373

<<<PAGE 3>>>

•
SIGNODE PACKAGING SYSTEMS
* Fi
# 3640 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, Illinois 60025
Lavalle
Telephone 1-800-722-5523
Telephone (847) 724-6100
Fax (847) 657-5365
File: 171.8 Bag, Drum
http://www.ezone.com/signode
SC: 510,300
MISIGNODE®
June 10, 1997
Ms. Diane LaValle, DHM-11
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
Regulations Development, DHM-11
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Ms. LaValle:
Thank you for following up our conversation on the definition of non bulk composite packagings
in relation to the utilization of a flexible plastic woven bags. My customer has submitted that a
flexible plastic woven bag could fall under the classification of a Composite Package - 6HH1
(Plastic Drum with a Plastic Receptacle Inner Packaging). He has submitted the Flexible Woven
Plastic Bag with a 3 mil. Plastic Bag Insert (Capacity 4 cu. ft. bag - 250lb., 8 cu. ft. bag - 800 lb.).
The plastic bag insert is secured closed with a plastic tie or a steel tie. The flexible bag has
corrugated sewn between the layers of woven material to provide rigidity for loading. The flexible
bag has woven material tie offs sewn around the closure to secure the bag closed.
I have gone through the regulations and can not find a defining regulation that would not allow him
to classify this assembly as a Composite Package (6HH1). Although the spirit of the regulations
would define this product as a flexible bag, I request your assistance in a final ruling on the matter.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Very Truly Yours:
Signode Packaging Research Laboratory
Senior Packaging Research Engineer
847-657-4382
An ITW Company
•
MW1055 6/9

<<<PAGE 4>>>

FILE No. 424 07/23 '97 09:49 ID:B.A.G. CORP
214 340 4598
PAGE 1
.i..i
•
Facsimile Cover Sheet
To: Bob Richards
Company:
Phone:
U.S. D.O.T.
202/366-0656
Fax:
202/366-5713
3753
From: Mark Eubank
•
Company: B.A.G. Corp.
Phone:
214-340-7060
Fax:
214-340-4598
Date: July 21,1 997
Pages including
this one:
3
COMMENTS:
Bob, following are two pieces of literature for our containers that we trying to
categorize as 4H2 solid plastic box. We can find nothing that excludes our
package from being called this. The corrugated Stiffeners which are sewn
into the plies allow the container to stand by itself. All performance requirements
have been met and we are waiting a writen opinion from the DOT for final
third party testing. I will follow-up with a phone call Thurs. July 24,
109:84!
EHEl

<<<PAGE 5>>>

FILE No. 424 07/23 '97 09:49 ID:B.A.G. CORP
214 340 4598
PAGE 2
Bob
DI
íd
Hochman
ECONOMICAL
LAND FILL CONTAINERS
= 27 cubic foor volume
BAC
• 2,200 pound weight capacity
.GORD
• UN certifled for Group Il and ill
e includes a 3 mil HDPE linor
• Full open top, web ce closure
• Flat bottom, no discharge
a Four, ten inch lifting loops
• Lightweight design
The Super Sack® Container
Call B.A.G. Corp. for all of your bulk packaging needs. B.A.G. Corp. is the only source for the original
Super Sack® container. Call us today to learn how our products can save you time, space and money.
B.A.G. Corp.
Local Distributor:
11510 Data Drive
Dallas. TX 75218
800/331-9200
214/340-7060
214/340-4598 (Fax)
11 11. I vip
bullhel ren Winsu lirit

<<<PAGE 6>>>

FILE No. 424 07/23 '97 09:50 ID:B.A.G. CORP
214 340 4598
PAGE
3
FlexDrum
FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS
Anything a drum can do, the FlexDrum' Flexible
Container can do better! Designed to take the place
of metal drums, fiber drums or boxes.
Facts:
• Vohume of 8.5 cubic feer
(equals a 5s gallon drum)
• Weighs less chan 10 pounds
• Weight capacity of 800 pounds
• IN. certified for Class I1 & H1
hazardous waste
• PE liner, 3.0 mil included, other
options available
• Sell supporting construction
• Ships and stores collapsed
• Acceprable for incineration
Call us doday for quality
solutions and expert
technical support
The MexDrum'n consiner is fres-standing because of its
unique, patented construction.
BAC
11510 Dola Drive, Dallas, Texas 75218
800/331-9200 • 214/340-7060 Fax: 214/340-4598
TE Continer Assion wil
Strop tro
.....
Printo 8-30-96 In U.S.A

<<<PAGE 7>>>

FILE No. 424 07/23 '97 09:52 ID:B.A.G. CORP
214
340 4598
PAGE 4
WASTE AWAY™™ CONTAINERS
Includes Stiffeners For Stability
Secondary Closure Designs Available
Superior Protection When Closed
THREE BASIC MODELS AVAILABLE
CLASSIC
Our basic design
PLUS
SUPER
• 27 cu/ft capacicy.
Identical features to the Classic
* Salf supporting with veneer stiffeners.
with the following added benefits:
identical features to the Plus with
# Full open cop, with web tre closure.
• Includes triple wall corrugated
the following added benefits:
• Four, ten inch lifung loops - UN
stiffeners.
• Uses a four panel protective top
certified for Group ll and 1Il.
• Can be double stacked
in addition to the standard open top.
= Raced for loads up to 2.500 Ibs.
• Includes a single flap protective
= UN cerufied for Group 1. Il, and Ill.
# Folds flat for shipment and storage,
cover in addicion to the open top.
a Includes 6 mil black, LLDPE/HDPE
• Includes four cabs for securing
blend liner, pre-inserted.
container to a paller.
Corrugated stiffeners allow
for double stacking with the
Plus & Super versions.
FLEXDRUM
' CONTAINERS
LASSIC
Designed to replace fiber & steel drums.
8 cu/ft capacity.
PLUS
Rated for loads of up to 800 ibs.
Identical to the Classic
UN certified for Group Il and Ill.
FlexDrum ™ container with
Folds flat for shipment and storage.
additional added benefits:
Full open top, web te closure.
Includes 3 mil black, HDLL liner:
* Triple wall corrugated stiffeners
pre-inserted.
provide a more rigid concainer.
Veneer stiffeners for support.
5 Cubic Foot Model Available
All products in stock - ready to ship. We accept Visa & MasterCard.
Call 1-800-331-9200 for more information on our complete line of containers.

<<<PAGE 8>>>

use plastic
liner-gooseneck-
insert into one ind
can't come out
Sop of sock 2 links
of webking gathered
into goose neck
....

<<<PAGE 9>>>

182uNE 1997
BAG ®
CORE
DrAiNE,
BAG
HEREIS THE OLGINA,
ENGR
NGE 100
SURE LOOKS LIKE A DRUM!
BAG
INTEL,
SINCE 1059
Hah
compeditor
sampl bay
sampl
approval
$178-601(4)
17880111) need
an out for
-
A wholly owned Subsidiary of S.S.B.I.
11510 Data Drive Dallas, Texas 75218 (214) 340-7060 Phone
1 800 331-9200
(214) 340-4598 Fax

<<<PAGE 10>>>

FlexDrum
™M
FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS
Anything a drum can do, the Flex Drum™ Flexible
Container can do better! Designed to take the place
of metal drums, fiber drums or boxes.
Facts:
• Volume of 8.5 cubic feet
(equals a 55 gallon drum)
• Weighs less than 10 pounds
• Weight capacity of 800 pounds
• U.N. certified for Class II & III
hazardous waste
• PE liner, 3.0 mil included, other
options available
• Self supporting construction
• Ships and stores collapsed
• Acceptable for incineration
Call us today for quality
solutions and expert
technical support.
The FlexDrum™ container is free-standing because of its
unique, patented construction.
R.A.C: 11510 Dola Dive, Dallas, Texas 75218
CORP
800/331-9200 • 214/340-7060 Fax: 214/340-4598
SINCE 1969
Printed 8-30-96 in U.S.A.
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- **body characters:** 10094
