{"operation":"document","citation":"98-0549","title":"Ross Trucking Co., Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1998-01-21","effective_on":null,"summary":"98-0549 response to Ross Trucking Co., Inc. concerning 173.242.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0549.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0549.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0549","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980549.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nWashington, D.C.\n1\nSpear Programs\nAdministration\nJAN 2 | 1998\nMr. Thomas H. Mitchell\nKMG-Bernuth, Inc.\n10611 Harwin, Suite 402\nHouston, TX 77036\nDear Mr. Mitchell:\nThis is in response to your letter regarding what constitutes \"closed\" under the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) as it applies to a \"closed freight\ncontainer\" or a \"closed transport vehicle\" containing a material described as\n\"Pentachlorophenol, 6.1, UN3155, II,\" in flexible, intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs). I\napologize for the delay in responding and hope it has not caused in any inconvenience.\nA material described as \"Pentachlorophenol, 6.1, UN3155, II\" (solids only) may be transported\nin FIBCs, which must be loaded in a closed freight container or a closed transport vehicle (see\n§ 173.242). A freight container is used primarily for containment of packages (in unit form),\nand a transport vehicle is a cargo-carrying conveyance. A \"closed\" freight container or\n:\ntransport vehicle means carrying packages within a container or vehicle that has some method\nof closing. Generally, a flatbed truck or trailer is not a \"closed vehicle.\" However, it is the\nopinion of this Office that a \"tarped, flatbed trailer with removable, solid sides and back\" is\nacceptable to transport FIBCs, containing a Packing Group II, solid material.\nI hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.\nSincerely,\nDebtfithis\nDelmer F. Billings\nChief, Regulations Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n*.:\n173.242\n741363540\nKM\nBERNUTH\nDecember 12, 1996\nMr. Edward T. Mazzullo\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nU.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION\nResearch and Special Program Administration\n400 Seventh Street, SW\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nWe are confused here about the proper transport method of one of our products and\nseem to have conflicting advice from our consultant, J. J. KELLER versus information\nobtained from your Hazardous Materials Information Center. I will attempt below to\ndescribe our situation in hopes that you might provide a more exact interpretation of\ncompliance requirements.\nOur product details are as follows:\nName: Pentachlorophenol\nForm: Solid 2,000 pound blocks\nHazard Class: 6.1\nID: UN 3155\nPG: I|\nAs allowed by Subchapter C Hazardous Materials Regulations, Subpart F, 173.242,\nwe package our product in tested and qualified, flexible IBCs with poly liners. According\nto (2) (iv) under this paragraph, \"Flexible.....intermediate bulk containers containing\nmaterials in Packing Group Il must be packed in a closed freight container or a closed\ntransport vehicle\".\nThe question we have is what constitutes \"closed\", and we have been unable to locate\nanything in the regs that addresses this.\nKMG-BERNUTH, INC. • 10611 HARWIN, SUITE 402 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77036\nTELEPHONE: (713) 988-9252 • FAX: (713) 988-9298\n/\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nPage 2\nDecember 12, 1996\nA competitor is using tarped, flatbed trailers with removable solid sides and back to\ntransport a comparable product packed in a flexible IBC with liner. Our consultant has\nadvised that this method does not constitute \"closed\" and that an enclosed van is\nrequired. The DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center has advised that the former\nis acceptable transport of our above described material.\nAny assistance in interpretation of requirements for a closed freight container or a\nclosed transport vehicle would be most welcome. The basis question is whether or\nnot flexible IBCs with liners containing a Class 6.1, PG Il material may be transported\naboard a tarped, flat bed trailer with removable solid sides and back. Additionally,\nwould a tarped flat bed trailer without sides/back be acceptable? Thank you.\nSincerely,\nSmittee\nThomas H. Mitchell\n... -","truncated":false,"body_characters":3858}