[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR176.83]

[Page 721-729]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
 CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 176_CARRIAGE BY VESSEL--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart D_General Segregation Requirements
 
Sec. 176.83  Segregation.

    (a) General. (1) The requirements of this section apply to all cargo 
spaces on deck or under deck of all types of vessels, and to all cargo 
transport units.
    (2) Segregation is obtained by maintaining certain distances between 
incompatible hazardous materials or by requiring the presence of one or 
more steel bulkheads or decks between them or a combination thereof. 
Intervening spaces between such hazardous materials may be filled with 
other cargo which is not incompatible with the hazardous materials.
    (3) The general requirements for segregation between the various 
classes of dangerous goods are shown in the segregation table. In 
addition to these general requirements, there may be a need to segregate 
a particular material from other materials which would contribute to its 
hazard. Such segregation

[[Page 722]]

requirements are indicated by code numbers in Column 10B of the Sec. 
172.101 Table.
    (4) Segregation is not required between hazardous materials of 
different classes which comprise the same substance but vary only in 
their water content (e.g., sodium sulphide in Division 4.2 or Class 8).
    (5) Whenever hazardous materials are stowed together, whether or not 
in a transport unit, the segregation of such hazardous materials from 
others must always be in accordance with the most restrictive 
requirements for any of the hazardous materials concerned.
    (6) When the Sec. 172.101 Table or Sec. 172.402 requires packages 
to bear a subsidiary hazard label or labels, the segregation appropriate 
to the subsidiary hazards must be applied when that segregation is more 
restrictive than that required by the primary hazard. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, the segregation requirements corresponding to an 
explosive subsidiary hazard are--except for organic peroxides which are 
those corresponding to Division 1.3--those for Division 1.4 (explosive) 
materials.
    (7) Where, for the purposes of segregation, terms such as ``away 
from'' a particular hazard class are used in the Sec. 172.101 Table, 
the segregation requirement applies to:
    (i) All hazardous materials within the hazard class; and
    (ii) All hazardous materials for which a secondary hazard label of 
that class is required.
    (8) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs (a)(6) and (a)(7) 
of this section, hazardous materials of the same class may be stowed 
together without regard to segregation required by secondary hazards 
(subsidiary risk label(s)), provided the substances do not react 
dangerously with each other and cause:
    (i) Combustion and/or evolution of considerable heat;
    (ii) Evolution of flammable, toxic or asphyxiant gases;
    (iii) The formation of corrosive substances; or
    (iv) The formation of unstable substances.
    (9) Stowage in a shelter-'tween deck cargo space is not considered 
to be ``on deck'' stowage.
    (10) Where the code in column (10B) of the Sec. 172.101 Table 
specifies that ``Segregation as for. . .'' applies, the segregation 
requirements applicable to that class in the Sec. 176.83(b) General 
Segregation Table must be applied. However, for the purposes of 
paragraph (a)(8) of this section, which permits substances of the same 
class to be stowed together provided they do not react dangerously with 
each other, the segregation requirements of the class as represented by 
the primary hazard class in the Sec. 172.101 Table entry must be 
applied.
    (b) General Segregation Table. The following table sets forth the 
general requirements for segregation between the various classes of 
hazardous materials. The properties of materials within each class may 
vary greatly and may require greater segregation than is reflected in 
this table. If the Sec. 172.101 Table sets forth particular 
requirements for segregation, they take precedence over these general 
requirements.

                                        Table 176.83(b)--General Segregation Requirements for Hazardous Materials
                [Segregation must also take account of a single secondary hazard label, as required by paragraph (a)(6) of this section.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     1.1
                               Class                                 1.2  1.3  1.4  2.1  2.2  2.3   3   4.1  4.2  4.3  5.1  5.2  6.1  6.2   7    8    9
                                                                     1.5       1.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explosives, 1.1, 1.2, 1.5..........................................  (*)  (*)  (*)    4    2    2    4    4    4    4    4    4    2    4    2    4    X
Explosives, 1.3....................................................  (*)  (*)  (*)    4    2    2    4    3    3    4    4    4    2    4    2    2    X
Explosives, 1.4, 1.6...............................................  (*)  (*)  (*)    2    1    1    2    2    2    2    2    2    X    4    2    2    X
Flammable gases 2.1................................................    4    4    2    X    X    X    2    1    2    X    2    2    X    4    2    1    X
Non-toxic, non-flammable gases 2.2.................................    2    2    1    X    X    X    1    X    1    X    X    1    X    2    1    X    X
Poisonous gases 2.3................................................    2    2    1    X    X    X    2    X    2    X    X    2    X    2    1    X    X
Flammable liquids 3................................................    4    4    2    2    1    2    X    X    2    1    2    2    X    3    2    X    X
Flammable solids 4.1...............................................    4    3    2    1    X    X    X    X    1    X    1    2    X    3    2    1    X
Spontaneously combustible substances 4.2...........................    4    3    2    2    1    2    2    1    X    1    2    2    1    3    2    1    X

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Substances which are dangerous when wet 4.3........................    4    4    2    X    X    X    1    X    1    X    2    2    X    2    2    1    X
Oxidizing substances 5.1...........................................    4    4    2    2    X    X    2    1    2    2    X    2    1    3    1    2    X
Organic peroxides 5.2..............................................    4    4    2    2    1    2    2    2    2    2    2    X    1    3    2    2    X
Poisons 6.1........................................................    2    2    X    X    X    X    X    X    1    X    1    1    X    1    X    X    X
Infectious substances 6.2..........................................    4    4    4    4    2    2    3    3    3    2    3    3    1    X    3    3    X
Radioactive materials 7............................................    2    2    2    2    1    1    2    2    2    2    1    2    X    3    X    2    X
Corrosives 8.......................................................    4    2    2    1    X    X    X    1    1    1    2    2    X    3    2    X    X
Miscellaneous dangerous substances 9...............................    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numbers and symbols relate to the following terms as defined in this section:
 1--``Away from.''
 2--``Separated from.''
 3--``Separated by a complete compartment or hold from.''
 4--``Separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold from.''
 X--The segregation, if any, is shown in the Sec. 172.101 table.
 *--See Sec. 176.144 of this part for segregation within Class 1.

    (c) Segregation requirements for breakbulk cargo. (1) The 
requirements of this paragraph apply to the segregation of packages 
containing hazardous materials and stowed as breakbulk cargo;
    (2) Definition of the segregation terms:
    (i) Legend:
    (A) Package containing incompatible goods.
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC02MR91.070
    
    (B) Reference package.
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC02MR91.071
    
    (C) Deck resistant to fire and liquid.
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC02MR91.072
    
    Note: Full vertical lines represent transverse bulkheads between 
compartments or holds resistant to fire and liquid.

    (ii) ``Away from'': Effectively segregated so that the incompatible 
materials cannot interact dangerously in

[[Page 724]]

the event of an accident but may be carried in the same compartment or 
hold or on deck provided a minimum horizontal separation of 3 m (10 
feet) projected vertically is obtained.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC02MR91.073

    (iii) ``Separated From'': In different compartments or holds when 
stowed under deck. If the intervening deck is resistant to fire and 
liquid, a vertical separation (i.e., in different compartments) is 
acceptable as equivalent to this segregation. For ``on deck'' stowage, 
this segregation means a separation by a distance of at least 6 m (20 
feet) horizontally.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC02MR91.091

    (iv) ``Separated by a complete compartment or hold from'': Either a 
vertical or horizontal separation. If the intervening decks are not 
resistant to fire and liquid, then only a longitudinal separation (i.e., 
by a intervening complete compartment or hold) is acceptable. For ``on 
deck'' stowage, this segregation means a separation by a distance of at 
least 12 m (39 feet) horizontally. The same distance must be applied if 
one package is stowed ``on deck'', and the other one in an upper 
compartment.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC02MR91.074

    Note: One of the two decks must be resistant to fire and liquid.

    (v) ``Separated longitudinally by an intervening complete 
compartment or hold from'': Vertical separation alone does not meet this 
requirement. Between a package ``under deck'' and one ``on deck'' a 
minimum distance of 24 m (79 feet) including a complete compartment must 
be maintained longitudinally. For ``on deck'' stowage, this segregation 
means a separation by a distance of at least 24 m (79 feet) 
longitudinally.

[[Page 725]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC02MR91.075

    (d) Segregation in transport units: Two hazardous materials for 
which any segregation is required may not be stowed in the same 
transport unit.
    (e) Segregation of hazardous materials stowed as breakbulk cargo 
from those packed in transport units: (1) Hazardous materials stowed as 
breakbulk cargo must be segregated from materials packed in open 
transport units in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) Hazardous materials stowed as breakbulk cargo must be segregated 
from materials packed in closed transport units in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this section, except that:
    (i) Where ``away from'' is required, no segregation between packages 
and the closed transport units is required; and
    (ii) Where ``separated from'' is required, the segregation between 
the packages and the closed transport units may be the same as for 
``away from''.
    (f) Segregation of containers on board container vessels: (1) Except 
for hatchless container ships, this paragraph applies to the segregation 
of freight containers that are carried on board container vessels, or on 
other types of vessels, provided these cargo spaces are properly fitted 
for permanent stowage of freight containers during transport.
    (2) For container vessels which have cargo spaces used for breakbulk 
cargo or any other method of stowage, the appropriate paragraph of this 
section applies to the relevant cargo space.
    (3) Segregation Table: Table Sec. 176.83(f) sets forth the general 
requirements for segregation between freight containers on board 
container vessels.
    (4) In table Sec. 176.83(f), a container space means a distance of 
not less than 6 m (20 feet) fore and aft or not less than 2.5 m (8 feet) 
athwartship.

[[Page 726]]



                                                                                   Table 176.83(f)--Segregation of Containers on Board Container Ships
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Vertical                                                                                           Horizontal
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Segregation requirement                                                                                               Closed versus closed                     Closed versus open                       Open versus open
                                     Closed versus    Closed versus open   Open versus open                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        closed                                                                          On deck           Under deck            On deck           Under deck            On deck           Under deck
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ``Away from''................  One on top of the   Open on top of      Not in the same     Fore and aft......  No restriction....  No restriction....  No restriction....  No restriction....  One container       One container
                                   other permitted.    closed permitted.   vertical line      ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................   space.              space or one
                                                      ..................   unless segregated  ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................   bulkhead.
                                                      ..................   by a deck.         ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................  One container       One container
                                                      Otherwise as for                        Athwartships......  No restriction....  No restriction....  No restriction....  No restriction....   space.              space.
                                                       open versus open.                                                                                                      ..................
                                                                                                                                                                              ..................
                                                                                                                                                                              ..................
2. ``Separated from''...........  Not in the same     As for open versus  Not in the same     Fore and aft......  One container       One container       One container       One container       One container       One bulkhead.
                                   vertical line       open.               vertical line      ..................   space.              space or one        space.              space or one        space..            ..................
                                   unless segregated                       unless segregated  ..................  ..................   bulkhead.          ..................   bulkhead.          ..................  ..................
                                   by a deck.                              by a deck.         ..................  One container       One container       One container       Two container       Two container       One bulkhead.
                                                                                              Athwartships......   space.              space.              space.              spaces.             spaces..
3. ``Separated by a complete      Not in the same     As for open versus  Not in the same     Fore and aft......  One container       One bulkhead......  One container       One bulkhead......  Two container       Two bulkheads.
 compartment or hold from''.       vertical line       open.               vertical line      ..................   space.             ..................   space.             ..................   spaces.            ..................
                                   unless segregated                       unless segregated  ..................  Two container       ..................  Two container       ..................  Three container     Two bulkheads.
                                   by a deck.                              by a deck.         Athwartships......   spaces.            One bulkhead......   spaces.            One bulkhead......   spaces.
                                                                                              ..................
4. ``Separated longitudinally by  Prohibited........  ..................  ..................  Fore and aft......  Four container      One bulkhead and    Four container      Two bulkheads.....  Four container      Two bulkheads.
 an intervening complete                                                                      ..................   spaces.             four container      spaces.            ..................   spaces.            ..................
 compartment or hold from''.                                                                  ..................  ..................   spaces*.           ..................  ..................  ..................  ..................
                                                                                              ..................  Prohibited........  Prohibited........  Prohibited........  Prohibited........  Prohibited........  Prohibited.
                                                                                              Athwartships......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Containers not less than 6 m (20 feet) from intervening bulkhead.

Note: All bulkheads and decks must be resistant to fire and liquid.


[[Page 727]]

    (g) Segregation of transport units on board trailerships: (1) The 
requirements of this paragraph apply to the segregation of transport 
units which are carried on board trailerships or in ``roll-on/roll-off'' 
cargo spaces.
    (2) For trailerships which have spaces suitable for breakbulk cargo, 
containers, or any other method of stowage, the appropriate paragraph of 
this section applies to the relevant cargo space.
    (3) Segregation Table. Table Sec. 176.83(g) sets forth the general 
requirements for segregation between transport units on board 
trailerships.

                                  Table 176.83(g)--Segregation of Transport Units on Board Trailerships and Trainships.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Segregation requirement                              Closed versus closed                 Closed versus open                 Open versus open
                                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      On deck         Under deck          On deck         Under deck        On deck         Under deck
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ``Away From''.............  Fore and aft....  No restriction..  No restriction..  No restriction..  No restriction.  At least 3 m...  At least 3 m.
                               Athwartships....  No restriction..  No restriction..  No restriction..  No restriction.  At least 3 m...  At least 3 m.
2. ``Separated from''........  Fore and aft....  At least 6 m....  At least 6 m or   At least 6 m....  At least 6 m or  At least 6 m...  At least 12 m
                               ................  ................   one bulkhead.    ................   one bulkhead.   At least 6 m...   or one
                               ................  At least 3 m....  At least 3 m or   At least 3 m....  At least 6 m or                    bulkhead
                               Athwartships....                     one bulkhead.                       one bulkhead.                    At least 12 m
                                                                                                                                          or one
                                                                                                                                          bulkhead
3. ``Separated by a complete   Fore and aft....  At least 12 m...  At least 24 m +   At least 24 m...  At least 24 m +  At least 36 m..  Two decks or
 compartment or hold from''.   ................  ................   deck.            ................   deck.           ...............   two bulkheads.
                               ................  At least 12 m...  ................  At least 24 m...  ...............  At least 36 m..  ...............
                               Athwartships....                    At least 24 m +                     At least 24 m +                   Prohibited.
                                                                    deck.                               deck.
4. ``Separated longitudinally  Fore and aft....  At least 36 m...  Two bulkheads or  At least 36 m...  At least 48 m    At least 48 m..  Prohibited.
 by an intervening complete    ................  ................   at least 36 m +  ................   including two   ...............  ...............
 compartment or hold from''.   ................  ................   two decks.       ................   bulkheads.      ...............  ...............
                               ................  Prohibited......  Prohibited......  Prohibited......  Prohibited.....  Prohibited.....  ...............
                               Athwartships....                                                                                          Prohibited.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: All bulkheads and decks must be resistant to fire and liquid.

    (h) Segregation on board barge carrying vessels: (1) The 
requirements of this section apply to the segregation in shipborne 
barges as well as to the segregation between shipborne barges carried on 
board vessels specially designed and equipped to carry such barges.
    (2) On barge-carrying vessels which incorporate other stowage spaces 
or any other method of stowage, barges containing hazardous materials 
must be segregated from hazardous materials not stowed in barges as 
prescribed in paragraphs (b) and (j) of this section.
    (i) Segregation in shipborne barges: Hazardous materials transported 
in shipborne barges must be segregated as prescribed in paragraphs (a), 
(b), and (c) of this section.
    (j) Segregation between shipborne barges on barge-carrying vessels: 
(1) When a shipborne barge is loaded with two or more hazardous 
materials with different requirements for segregation, the most 
stringent applicable segregation requirement must be applied.
    (2) ``Away from'' and ``separated from'' require no segregation 
between shipborne barges.
    (3) For barge-carrying vessels with vertical holds, ``Separated by a 
complete compartment or hold from'' means that separate holds are 
required. On barge-carrying vessels having horizontal barge levels, 
separate barge levels are required and the barges may not be in the same 
vertical line.
    (4) ``Separated longitudinally by an intervening complete 
compartment or

[[Page 728]]

hold from'' means, for barge-carrying vessels with vertical holds, that 
separation by an intervening hold or engine room is required. On barge-
carrying vessels having horizontal barge levels, separate barge levels 
and a longitudinal separation by at least two intervening barge spaces 
are required.
    (k) Segregation requirements for ferry vessels: A ferry vessel (when 
operating either as a passenger or cargo vessel) that cannot provide the 
separation required in this section may carry incompatible hazardous 
materials in separate transport vehicles if they are stowed to give the 
maximum possible separation.
    (l) Segregation of containers on board hatchless container ships: 
(1) This paragraph applies to the segregation of containers that are 
transported on board hatchless container ships provided that the cargo 
spaces are properly fitted to give permanent stowage of the cargo 
transport units during transport.
    (2) For partly hatchless container ships that have spaces suitable 
for breakbulk cargo, conventional container stowage, or any other method 
of stowage, the appropriate requirements of this section apply to the 
relevant cargo space.
    (3) Segregation Table: Table Sec. 176.83(l)(3) sets forth the 
general requirements for segregation of containers on board hatchless 
container vessels.
    (4) In Table Sec. 176.83(l)(3), a container space means a distance 
of not less than 6 m (20 feet) fore and aft or not less than 2.5 m (8 
feet) athwartship.

[[Page 729]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JY03.020


[Amdt. 176-30, 55 FR 52690, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66282, 
Dec. 20, 1991; 57 FR 45465, Oct. 1, 1992; Amdt. 176-34, 58 FR 51533, 
Oct. 1, 1993; Amdt. 176-38, 60 FR 49111, Sept. 21, 1995; 64 FR 10781, 
10782, Mar. 5, 1999; 66 FR 45184, 45384, Aug. 28, 2001; 68 FR 45039, 
July 31, 2003]

[[Page 730]]