# ALM Safety Associates — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 98-0408
- **title:** ALM Safety Associates — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1998-05-15
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 98-0408 response to ALM Safety Associates concerning 172.102.
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- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980408.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

•
of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Special Programs
Research and
Washington, D.C.
20590
Administration
MAY 15 1998
Mr. Allen L. Mossman
ALM Safety Associates
65 Sarazen Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-8719
Dear Mr. Mossman:
This is in response to your letter regarding the proper shipping name for mixtures containing
oxygen under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 Parts 171-180). You requested
information explaining what concentration of oxygen in a gas mixture meets the oxidizing gas
definition.
RSPA has determined that concentrations of oxygen greater than 23.5% cause or contribute to
the combustion of other material more than air does, and therefore meet the definition of
oxidizing gas in § 171.8. RSPA will consider referencing Special Provision 77 for rare gases
and oxygen mixtures containing more than 23.5% oxygen in a future rulemaking. This issue will
be addressed at the next meeting of the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods.
I hope this answers your inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact us.

<<<PAGE 2>>>

1:172.102
110
AIM Safety Associates
178
65 Sarazen Street • Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-8719
Phone 518-583-2528
Fax 518-583-2539
sui
June
: 25, 1997
office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Delmer F. Billings, Chief
• Regs. Dev.
RSPA - US Dept. of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590
400 Seventh Street, s.w.
Dear Mr. Billings:
I am in receipt of a copy of your letter of interpretation of June
19, 1997, to Richard P. Schweitzer, Esq.
Last autumn I proposed questions to RSPA similar to those of Mr.
Schweitzer's, mainly those relating to proper shipping descriptions
for mixtures containing oxygen in concentrations high enough to be
defined
oxidizing, and the concentration above which the
reply I received
oxidizing classification should be used. Enclosed is a copy of the
from RSPA.
Can I assume, that with the publication of final HM215-B, that the
supercedes the
interpretation as expressed in your letter of June
one I
received in November?
18th now
special provision
If so, shouldn't
mixtures?
Also, since special provision 77 indicates that the Div.
is no required to the ago so
not above 23.5% for domestic transportation, should I assume that
concentrations of oxygen?
for international shipments the Div. 5.1 label is required for all
I am currently doing consultation for a label printing company, and
he answers to the above questions would help resolve a number oi
utstanding problems related to the production of oxygen mixture
We have been operating under the interpretations provided
1 or 0 90 10 7955
position regarding any revised rulingen best regards.
want to be sure of our
Sincerely,
Allend Moreman
Allen L. Mossman
CC:
R.
Schweitzer
R.
M.
Ackerman
Lopez
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