[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 2]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR171.8]



[Page 89-102]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 171_GENERAL INFORMATION, REGULATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS--Table 

of Contents

 

Sec. 171.8  Definitions and abbreviations.



    In this subchapter,

    Administrator means the Administrator, Research and Special Programs 

Administration.

    Aerosol means any non-refillable receptacle containing a gas 

compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, the sole purpose of 

which is to expel a nonpoisonous (other than a Division 6.1 Packing 

Group III material) liquid, paste, or powder and fitted with a self-

closing release device allowing the contents to be ejected by the gas.

    Agricultural product means a hazardous material, other than a 

hazardous waste, whose end use directly supports the production of an 

agricultural commodity including, but not limited to a fertilizer, 

pesticide, soil amendment or fuel. An agricultural product is limited to 

a material in Class 3, 8 or 9, Division 2.1, 2.2, 5.1, or 6.1, or an 

ORM-D material.

    Approval means a written authorization, including a competent 

authority approval, from the Associate Administrator or other designated 

Department official, to perform a function for which prior authorization 

by the Associate Administrator is required under subchapter C of this 

chapter (49 CFR parts 171 through 180.)

    Approved means approval issued or recognized by the Department 

unless otherwise specifically indicated in this subchapter.

    Asphyxiant gas means a gas which dilutes or replaces oxygen normally 

in the atmosphere.

    Associate Administrator means the Associate Administrator for 

Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration.

    Atmospheric gases means air, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, krypton, neon 

and xenon.

    Authorized Inspection Agency means: (1) A jurisdiction which has 

adopted and administers one or more sections of the ASME Boiler and 

Pressure Vessel Code as a legal requirement and has a representative 

serving as a member of the ASME Conference Committee; or (2) an 

insurance company which has been licensed or registered by the 

appropriate authority of a State of the United States or a Province of 

Canada to underwrite boiler and pressure vessel insurance in such State 

or Province.

    Authorized Inspector means an Inspector who is currently 

commissioned by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel 

Inspectors and employed as an Inspector by an Authorized Inspection 

Agency.

    Bag means a flexible packaging made of paper, plastic film, 

textiles, woven material or other similar materials.

    Bar means 1 BAR = 100 kPa (14.5 psi).

    Barge means a non-selfpropelled vessel.

    Biological product. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    Bottle means an inner packaging having a neck of relatively smaller 

cross section than the body and an opening capable of holding a closure 

for retention of the contents.

    Bottom shell means that portion of a tank car tank surface, 

excluding the head ends of the tank car tank, that



[[Page 90]]



lies within two feet, measured circumferentially, of the bottom 

longitudinal center line of the tank car tank.

    Box means a packaging with complete rectangular or polygonal faces, 

made of metal, wood, plywood, reconstituted wood, fiberboard, plastic, 

or other suitable material. Holes appropriate to the size and use of the 

packaging, for purposes such as ease of handling or opening, or to meet 

classification requirements, are permitted as long as they do not 

compromise the integrity of the packaging during transportation, and are 

not otherwise prohibited in this subchapter.

    Break-bulk means packages of hazardous materials that are handled 

individually, palletized, or unitized for purposes of transportation as 

opposed to bulk and containerized freight.

    Btu means British thermal unit.

    Bulk packaging means a packaging, other than a vessel or a barge, 

including a transport vehicle or freight container, in which hazardous 

materials are loaded with no intermediate form of containment and which 

has:

    (1) A maximum capacity greater than 450 L (119 gallons) as a 

receptacle for a liquid;

    (2) A maximum net mass greater than 400 kg (882 pounds) and a 

maximum capacity greater than 450 L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a 

solid; or

    (3) A water capacity greater than 454 kg (1000 pounds) as a 

receptacle for a gas as defined in Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter.

    Bureau of Explosives means the Bureau of Explosives (B of E) of the 

Association of American Railroads.

    C means Celsius or Centigrade.

    Captain of the Port (COTP) means the officer of the Coast Guard, 

under the command of a District Commander, so designated by the 

Commandant for the purpose of giving immediate direction to Coast Guard 

law enforcement activities within an assigned area. As used in this 

subchapter, the term Captain of the Port includes an authorized 

representative of the Captain of the Port.

    Carfloat means a vessel that operates on a short run on an irregular 

basis and serves one or more points in a port area as an extension of a 

rail line or highway over water, and does not operate in ocean, 

coastwise, or ferry service.

    Cargo aircraft only means an aircraft that is used to transport 

cargo and is not engaged in carrying passengers. For purposes of this 

subchapter, the terms cargo aircraft only, cargo-only aircraft and cargo 

aircraft have the same meaning.

    Cargo tank means a bulk packaging that:

    (1) Is a tank intended primarily for the carriage of liquids or 

gases and includes appurtenances, reinforcements, fittings, and closures 

(for the definition of a tank, see 49 CFR 178.320, 178.337-1, or 

178.338-1, as applicable);

    (2) Is permanently attached to or forms a part of a motor vehicle, 

or is not permanently attached to a motor vehicle but which, by reason 

of its size, construction or attachment to a motor vehicle is loaded or 

unloaded without being removed from the motor vehicle; and

    (3) Is not fabricated under a specification for cylinders, 

intermediate bulk containers, multi-unit tank car tanks, portable tanks, 

or tank cars.

    Cargo tank motor vehicle means a motor vehicle with one or more 

cargo tanks permanently attached to or forming an integral part of the 

motor vehicle.

    Cargo vessel means: (1) Any vessel other than a passenger vessel; 

and

    (2) Any ferry being operated under authority of a change of 

character certificate issued by a Coast Guard Officer-in-Charge, Marine 

Inspection.

    Carrier means a person who transports passengers or property in 

commerce by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle, or vessel.

    CC means closed-cup.

    Character of vessel means the type of service in which the vessel is 

engaged at the time of carriage of a hazardous material.

    Class means hazard class. See hazard class.

    Class 1. See Sec. 173.50 of this subchapter.

    Class 2. See Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter.

    Class 3. See Sec. 173.120 of this subchapter.

    Class 4. See Sec. 173.124 of this subchapter.



[[Page 91]]



    Class 5. See Sec. 173.128 of this subchapter.

    Class 6. See Sec. 173.132 of this subchapter.

    Class 7. See Sec. 173.403 of this subchapter.

    Class 8. See Sec. 173.136 of this subchapter.

    Class 9. See Sec. 173.140 of this subchapter.

    Closure means a device which closes an opening in a receptacle.

    COFC means container-on-flat-car.

    Combination packaging means a combination of packaging, for 

transport purposes, consisting of one or more inner packagings secured 

in a non-bulk outer packaging. It does not include a composite 

packaging.

    Combustible liquid. See Sec. 173.120 of this subchapter.

    Commerce means trade or transportation in the jurisdiction of the 

United States within a single state; between a place in a state and a 

place outside of the state; or that affects trade or transportation 

between a place in a state and place outside of the state.

    Compatibility group letter means a designated alphabetical letter 

used to categorize different types of explosive substances and articles 

for purposes of stowage and segregation. See Sec. 173.52 of this 

subchapter.

    Competent Authority means a national agency responsible under its 

national law for the control or regulation of a particular aspect of the 

transportation of hazardous materials (dangerous goods). The term 

Appropriate Authority, as used in the ICAO Technical Instructions (IBR, 

see Sec. 171.7), has the same meaning as Competent Authority. For 

purposes of this subchapter, the Associate Administrator is the 

Competent Authority for the United States.

    Composite packaging means a packaging consisting of an outer 

packaging and an inner receptacle, so constructed that the inner 

receptacle and the outer packaging form an integral packaging. Once 

assembled it remains thereafter an integrated single unit; it is filled, 

stored, shipped and emptied as such.

    Compressed gas. See Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter.

    Consignee means the person or place shown on a shipping document, 

package marking, or other media as the location to which a carrier is 

directed to transport a hazardous material.

    Consumer commodity means a material that is packaged and distributed 

in a form intended or suitable for sale through retail sales agencies or 

instrumentalities for consumption by individuals for purposes of 

personal care or household use. This term also includes drugs and 

medicines.

    Containership means a cargo vessel designed and constructed to 

transport, within specifically designed cells, portable tanks and 

freight containers which are lifted on and off with their contents 

intact.

    Corrosive material. See Sec. 173.136 of this subchapter.

    Crate means an outer packaging with incomplete surfaces.

    Crewmember means a person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft 

during flight time.

    Cryogenic liquid. See Sec. 173.115(g) of this subchapter.

    Cultures and stocks. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    Cylinder means a pressure vessel designed for pressures higher than 

40 psia and having a circular cross section. It does not include a 

portable tank, multi-unit tank car tank, cargo tank, or tank car.

    Dangerous when wet material. See Sec. 173.124 of this subchapter.

    Design Certifying Engineer means a person registered with the 

Department in accordance with subpart F of part 107 of this chapter who 

has the knowledge and ability to perform stress analysis of pressure 

vessels and otherwise determine whether a cargo tank design and 

construction meets the applicable DOT specification. A Design Certifying 

Engineer meets the knowledge and ability requirements of this section by 

meeting any one of the following requirements:

    (1) Has an engineering degree and one year of work experience in 

cargo tank structural or mechanical design;

    (2) Is currently registered as a professional engineer by 

appropriate authority of a state of the United States or a province of 

Canada; or

    (3) Has at least three years' experience in performing the duties of 

a Design Certifying Engineer prior to September 1, 1991.



[[Page 92]]



    Designated facility means a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or 

disposal facility that has been designated on the manifest by the 

generator.

    Diagnostic specimen. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    District Commander means the District Commander of the Coast Guard, 

or his authorized representative, who has jurisdiction in the particular 

geographical area.

    Division means a subdivision of a hazard class.

    DOD means the U.S. Department of Defense.

    Domestic transportation means transportation between places within 

the United States other than through a foreign country.

    DOT or Department means U.S. Department of Transportation.

    Drum means a flat-ended or convex-ended cylindrical packaging made 

of metal, fiberboard, plastic, plywood, or other suitable materials. 

This definition also includes packagings of other shapes made of metal 

or plastic (e.g., round taper-necked packagings or pail-shaped 

packagings) but does not include cylinders, jerricans, wooden barrels or 

bulk packagings.

    Elevated temperature material means a material which, when offered 

for transportation or transported in a bulk packaging:

    (1) Is in a liquid phase and at a temperature at or above 100 [deg]C 

(212 [deg]F);

    (2) Is in a liquid phase with a flash point at or above 37.8 [deg]C 

(100 [deg]F) that is intentionally heated and offered for transportation 

or transported at or above its flash point; or

    (3) Is in a solid phase and at a temperature at or above 240 [deg]C 

(464 [deg]F).

    Engine means a locomotive propelled by any form of energy and used 

by a railroad.

    EPA means U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    Etiologic agent. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    EX number means a number preceded by the prefix ``EX'', assigned by 

the Associate Administrator, to an item that has been evaluated under 

the provisions of Sec. 173.56 of this subchapter.

    Exemption means a document issued by the Associate Administrator 

under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 5117. The document permits a person to 

perform a function that is not otherwise permitted under subchapter A or 

C of this chapter, or other regulations issued under 49 U.S.C. 5101 

through 5127 (e.g., Federal Motor Carrier Safety routing).

    Explosive. See Sec. 173.50 of this subchapter.

    F means degree Fahrenheit.

    Farmer means a person engaged in the production or raising of crops, 

poultry, or livestock.

    Federal hazardous material transportation law means 49 U.S.C. 5101 

et seq.

    Ferry vessel means a vessel which is limited in its use to the 

carriage of deck passengers or vehicles or both, operates on a short run 

on a frequent schedule between two points over the most direct water 

route, other than in ocean or coastwise service, and is offered as a 

public service of a type normally attributed to a bridge or tunnel.

    Filling density has the following meanings:

    (1) For compressed gases in cylinders, see Sec. 173.304a(a)(2) 

table note 1.

    (2) For compressed gases in tank cars, see Sec. 173.314(c) table 

note 1.

    (3) For compressed gases in cargo tanks and portable tanks, see 

Sec. 173.315(a) table note 1.

    (4) For cryogenic liquids in cylinders, except hydrogen, see Sec. 

173.316(c)(1).

    (5) For hydrogen, cryogenic liquid in cylinders, see Sec. 

173.316(c)(3) table note 1.

    (6) For cryogenic liquids in cargo tanks, see Sec. 173.318(f)(1).

    (7) For cryogenic liquids in tank cars, see Sec. 173.319(d)(1).

    Flammable gas. See Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter.

    Flammable liquid. See Sec. 173.120 of this subchapter.

    Flammable solid. See Sec. 173.124 of this subchapter.

    Flash point. See Sec. 173.120 of this subchapter.

    Freight container means a reusable container having a volume of 64 

cubic feet or more, designed and constructed to permit being lifted with 

its contents intact and intended primarily for containment of packages 

(in unit form) during transportation.



[[Page 93]]



    Fuel tank means a tank other than a cargo tank, used to transport 

flammable or combustible liquid, or compressed gas for the purpose of 

supplying fuel for propulsion of the transport vehicle to which it is 

attached, or for the operation of other equipment on the transport 

vehicle.

    Fumigated lading. See Sec. Sec. 172.302(g) and 173.9.

    Gas means a material which has a vapor pressure greater than 300 kPa 

(43.5 psia) at 50 [deg]C (122 [deg]F) or is completely gaseous at 20 

[deg]C (68 [deg]F) at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (14.7 psia).

    Gross weight or Gross mass means the weight of a packaging plus the 

weight of its contents.

    Hazard class means the category of hazard assigned to a hazardous 

material under the definitional criteria of part 173 of this subchapter 

and the provisions of the Sec. 172.101 table. A material may meet the 

defining criteria for more than one hazard class but is assigned to only 

one hazard class.

    Hazard zone means one of four levels of hazard (Hazard Zones A 

through D) assigned to gases, as specified in Sec. 173.116(a) of this 

subchapter, and one of two levels of hazards (Hazard Zones A and B) 

assigned to liquids that are poisonous by inhalation, as specified in 

Sec. 173.133(a) of this subchapter. A hazard zone is based on the LC50 

value for acute inhalation toxicity of gases and vapors, as specified in 

Sec. 173.133(a).

    Hazardous material means a substance or material that the Secretary 

of Transportation has determined is capable of posing an unreasonable 

risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and 

has designated as hazardous under section 5103 of Federal hazardous 

materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5103). The term includes 

hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated 

temperature materials, materials designated as hazardous in the 

Hazardous Materials Table (see 49 CFR 172.101), and materials that meet 

the defining criteria for hazard classes and divisions in part 173 of 

subchapter C of this chapter.

    Hazardous substance for the purposes of this subchapter, means a 

material, including its mixtures and solutions, that--

    (1) Is listed in the appendix A to Sec. 172.101 of this subchapter;

    (2) Is in a quantity, in one package, which equals or exceeds the 

reportable quantity (RQ) listed in the appendix A to Sec. 172.101 of 

this subchapter; and

    (3) When in a mixture or solution--

    (i) For radionuclides, conforms to paragraph 7 of the appendix A to 

Sec. 172.101.

    (ii) For other than radionuclides, is in a concentration by weight 

which equals or exceeds the concentration corresponding to the RQ of the 

material, as shown in the following table:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                      Concentration by

                                                           weight

               RQ pounds (kilograms)               ---------------------

                                                     Percent      PPM

------------------------------------------------------------------------

5000 (2270).......................................         10    100,000

1000 (454)........................................          2     20,000

100 (45.4)........................................        0.2      2,000

10 (4.54).........................................       0.02        200

1 (0.454).........................................      0.002         20

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    The term does not include petroleum, including crude oil or any 

fraction thereof which is not otherwise specifically listed or 

designated as a hazardous substance in appendix A to Sec. 172.101 of 

this subchapter, and the term does not include natural gas, natural gas 

liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or 

mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas).

    Hazardous waste, for the purposes of this chapter, means any 

material that is subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements of 

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specified in 40 CFR part 262.

    Hazmat means a hazardous material.

    Hazmat employee means a person who is employed by a hazmat employer 

and who in the course of employment directly affects hazardous materials 

transportation safety. This term includes an owner-operator of a motor 

vehicle which transports hazardous materials in commerce. This term 

includes an individual, including a self-employed individual, employed 

by a hazmat employer who, during the course of employment:

    (1) Loads, unloads, or handles hazardous materials;



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    (2) Manufactures, tests, reconditions, repairs, modifies, marks, or 

otherwise represents containers, drums, or packagings as qualified for 

use in the transportation of hazardous materials;

    (3) Prepares hazardous materials for transportation;

    (4) Is responsible for safety of transporting hazardous materials; 

or

    (5) Operates a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials.

    Hazmat employer means a person who uses one or more of its employees 

in connection with: transporting hazardous materials in commerce; 

causing hazardous materials to be transported or shipped in commerce; or 

representing, marking, certifying, selling, offering, manufacturing, 

reconditioning, testing, repairing, or modifying containers, drums, or 

packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of hazardous 

materials. This term includes an owner-operator of a motor vehicle which 

transports hazardous materials in commerce. This term also includes any 

department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, a State, a 

political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe engaged in an 

activity described in the first sentence of this definition.

    Hermetically sealed means closed by fusion, gasketing, crimping, or 

equivalent means so that no gas or vapor can enter or escape.

    HMR means the Hazardous Materials Regulations, Parts 171 through 180 

of this chapter.

    IAEA means International Atomic Energy Agency.

    IATA means International Air Transport Association.

    ICAO means International Civil Aviation Organization.

    IMO means International Maritime Organization.

    Incorporated by reference or IBR means a publication or a portion of 

a publication that is made a part of the regulations of this subchapter. 

See Sec. 171.7.

    Infectious substance (etiologic agent). See Sec. 173.134 of this 

subchapter.

    Inner packaging means a packaging for which an outer packaging is 

required for transport. It does not include the inner receptacle of a 

composite packaging.

    Inner receptacle means a receptacle which requires an outer 

packaging in order to perform its containment function. The inner 

receptacle may be an inner packaging of a combination packaging or the 

inner receptacle of a composite packaging.

    Intermediate bulk container or IBC means a rigid or flexible 

portable packaging, other than a cylinder or portable tank, which is 

designed for mechanical handling. Standards for IBCs manufactured in the 

United States are set forth in subparts N and O of part 178 of this 

subchapter.

    Intermediate packaging means a packaging which encloses an inner 

packaging or article and is itself enclosed in an outer packaging.

    Intermodal container means a freight container designed and 

constructed to permit it to be used interchangeably in two or more modes 

of transport.

    Intermodal portable tank or IM portable tank means a specific class 

of portable tanks designed primarily for international intermodal use.

    International transportation means transportation--

    (1) Between any place in the United States and any place in a 

foreign country;

    (2) Between places in the United States through a foreign country; 

or

    (3) Between places in one or more foreign countries through the 

United States.

    Irritating material. See Sec. 173.132(a)(2) of this subchapter.

    Jerrican means a metal or plastic packaging of rectangular or 

polygonal cross-section.

    Large packaging means a packaging that--

    (1) Consists of an outer packaging which contains articles or inner 

packagings;

    (2) Is designated for mechanical handling;

    (3) Exceeds 400 kg net mass or 450 liters (118.9 gallons) capacity;

    (4) Has a volume of not more than 3 m\3\ (see Sec. 178.801(i) of 

this subchapter); and

    (5) Conforms to the requirements for the construction, testing and 

marking of large packagings as specified in the UN Recommendations, 

Chapter 6.6 (incorporated by reference; see Sec. 171.7).



[[Page 95]]



    Limited quantity, when specified as such in a section applicable to 

a particular material, means the maximum amount of a hazardous material 

for which there is a specific labeling or packaging exception.

    Liquid means a material, other than an elevated temperature 

material, with a melting point or initial melting point of 20 [deg]C (68 

[deg]F) or lower at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (14.7 psia). A 

viscous material for which a specific melting point cannot be determined 

must be subjected to the procedures specified in ASTM D 4359 ``Standard 

Test Method for Determining Whether a Material is Liquid or Solid'' 

(IBR, see Sec. 171.7).

    Liquid phase means a material that meets the definition of liquid 

when evaluated at the higher of the temperature at which it is offered 

for transportation or at which it is transported, not at the 37.8 [deg]C 

(100 [deg]F) temperature specified in ASTM D 4359 (IBR, see Sec. 

171.7).

    Loading incidental to movement means loading by carrier personnel or 

in the presence of carrier personnel of packaged or containerized 

hazardous material onto a transport vehicle, aircraft, or vessel for the 

purpose of transporting it, including the loading, blocking and bracing 

a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport 

vehicle, and segregating a hazardous materials package in a freight 

container or transport vehicle from incompatible cargo. For a bulk 

packaging, loading incidental to movement means filling the packaging 

with a hazardous material for the purpose of transporting it. Loading 

incidental to movement includes transloading.

    Magazine vessel means a vessel used for the receiving, storing, or 

dispensing of explosives.

    Magnetic material. See Sec. 173.21(d) of this subchapter.

    Marine pollutant, means a material which is listed in appendix B to 

Sec. 172.101 of this subchapter (also see Sec. 171.4) and, when in a 

solution or mixture of one or more marine pollutants, is packaged in a 

concentration which equals or exceeds:

    (1) Ten percent by weight of the solution or mixture for materials 

listed in the appendix; or

    (2) One percent by weight of the solution or mixture for materials 

that are identified as severe marine pollutants in the appendix.

    Marking means a descriptive name, identification number, 

instructions, cautions, weight, specification, or UN marks, or 

combinations thereof, required by this subchapter on outer packagings of 

hazardous materials.

    Material of trade means a hazardous material, other than a hazardous 

waste, that is carried on a motor vehicle--

    (1) For the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the motor 

vehicle operator or passengers;

    (2) For the purpose of supporting the operation or maintenance of a 

motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment); or

    (3) By a private motor carrier (including vehicles operated by a 

rail carrier) in direct support of a principal business that is other 

than transportation by motor vehicle.

    Material poisonous by inhalation means:

    (1) A gas meeting the defining criteria in Sec. 173.115(c) of this 

subchapter and assigned to Hazard Zone A, B, C, or D in accordance with 

Sec. 173.116(a) of this subchapter;

    (2) A liquid (other than as a mist) meeting the defining criteria in 

Sec. 173.132(a)(1)(iii) of this subchapter and assigned to Hazard Zone 

A or B in accordance with Sec. 173.133(a) of this subchapter; or

    (3) Any material identified as an inhalation hazard by a special 

provision in column 7 of the Sec. 172.101 table.

    Maximum allowable working pressure or MAWP: For DOT specification 

cargo tanks used to transport liquid hazardous materials, see Sec. 

178.320(a) of this subchapter.

    Maximum capacity means the maximum inner volume of receptacles or 

packagings.

    Maximum net mass means the allowable maximum net mass of contents in 

a single packaging, or as used in subpart M of part 178 of this 

subchapter, the maximum combined mass of inner packaging, and the 

contents thereof.

    Metered delivery service means a cargo tank unloading operation 

conducted at



[[Page 96]]



a metered flow rate of 378.5 L (100 gallons) per minute or less through 

an attached delivery hose with a nominal inside diameter of 3.175 cm 

(1\1/4\ inches) or less.

    Miscellaneous hazardous material. See Sec. 173.140 of this 

subchapter.

    Mixture means a material composed of more than one chemical compound 

or element.

    Mode means any of the following transportation methods; rail, 

highway, air, or water.

    Motor vehicle includes a vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or 

semitrailer, or any combination thereof, propelled or drawn by 

mechanical power and used upon the highways in the transportation of 

passengers or property. It does not include a vehicle, locomotive, or 

car operated exclusively on a rail or rails, or a trolley bus operated 

by electric power derived from a fixed overhead wire, furnishing local 

passenger transportation similar to street-railway service.

    Movement means the physical transfer of a hazardous material from 

one geographic location to another by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle, 

or vessel.

    Name of contents means the proper shipping name as specified in 

Sec. 172.101 of this subchapter.

    Navigable waters means, for the purposes of this subchapter, waters 

of the United States, including the territorial seas.

    Non-bulk packaging means a packaging which has:

    (1) A maximum capacity of 450 L (119 gallons) or less as a 

receptacle for a liquid;

    (2) A maximum net mass of 400 kg (882 pounds) or less and a maximum 

capacity of 450 L (119 gallons) or less as a receptacle for a solid; or

    (3) A water capacity of 454 kg (1000 pounds) or less as a receptacle 

for a gas as defined in Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter.

    Nonflammable gas. See Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter.

    N.O.S. means not otherwise specified.

    N.O.S. description means a shipping description from the Sec. 

172.101 table which includes the abbreviation n.o.s.

    NPT means an American Standard taper pipe thread conforming to the 

requirements of NBS Handbook H-28 (IBR, see Sec. 171.7).

    NRC (non-reusable container) means a packaging (container) whose 

reuse is restricted in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 173.28 of 

this subchapter.

    Occupied caboose means a rail car being used to transport non-

passenger personnel.

    Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection means a person from the 

civilian or military branch of the Coast Guard designated as such by the 

Commandant and who under the supervision and direction of the Coast 

Guard District Commander is in charge of a designated inspection zone 

for the performance of duties with respect to the enforcement and 

administration of title 52, Revised Statutes, acts amendatory thereof or 

supplemental thereto, rules and regulations thereunder, and the 

inspection required thereby.

    Offshore supply vessel means a cargo vessel of less than 500 gross 

tons that regularly transports goods, supplies or equipment in support 

of exploration or production of offshore mineral or energy resources.

    Operator means a person who controls the use of an aircraft, vessel, 

or vehicle.

    Organic peroxide. See Sec. 173.128 of this subchapter.

    ORM means other regulated material. See Sec. 173.144 of this 

subchapter.

    Outage or ullage means the amount by which a packaging falls short 

of being liquid full, usually expressed in percent by volume.

    Outer packaging means the outermost enclosure of a composite or 

combination packaging together with any absorbent materials, cushioning 

and any other components necessary to contain and protect inner 

receptacles or inner packagings.

    Overpack, except as provided in subpart K of part 178 of this 

subchapter, means an enclosure that is used by a single consignor to 

provide protection or convenience in handling of a package or to 

consolidate two or more packages. Overpack does not include a transport 

vehicle, freight container, or aircraft unit load device. Examples of 

overpacks are one or more packages:

    (1) Placed or stacked onto a load board such as a pallet and secured 

by



[[Page 97]]



strapping, shrink wrapping, stretch wrapping, or other suitable means; 

or

    (2) Placed in a protective outer packaging such as a box or crate.

    Oxidizer. See Sec. 173.127 of this subchapter.

    Oxidizing gas means a gas which may, generally by providing oxygen, 

cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air 

does.

    Oxygen generator (chemical) means a device containing chemicals that 

upon activation release oxygen as a product of chemical reaction.

    Package or Outside Package means a packaging plus its contents. For 

radioactive materials, see Sec. 173.403 of this subchapter.

    Packaging means a receptacle and any other components or materials 

necessary for the receptacle to perform its containment function in 

conformance with the minimum packing requirements of this subchapter. 

For radioactive materials packaging, see Sec. 173.403 of this 

subchapter.

    Packing group means a grouping according to the degree of danger 

presented by hazardous materials. Packing Group I indicates great 

danger; Packing Group II, medium danger; Packing Group III, minor 

danger. See Sec. 172.101(f) of this subchapter.

    Passenger (With respect to vessels and for the purposes of part 176 

only) means a person being carried on a vessel other than:

    (1) The owner or his representative;

    (2) The operator;

    (3) A bona fide member of the crew engaged in the business of the 

vessel who has contributed no consideration for his carriage and who is 

paid for his services; or

    (4) A guest who has not contributed any consideration directly or 

indirectly for his carriage.

    Passenger-carrying aircraft means an aircraft that carries any 

person other than a crewmember, company employee, an authorized 

representative of the United States, or a person accompanying the 

shipment.

    Passenger vessel means--

    (1) A vessel subject to any of the requirements of the International 

Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, which carries more than 

12 passengers;

    (2) A cargo vessel documented under the laws of the United States 

and not subject to that Convention, which carries more than 16 

passengers;

    (3) A cargo vessel of any foreign nation that extends reciprocal 

privileges and is not subject to that Convention and which carries more 

than 16 passengers; and

    (4) A vessel engaged in a ferry operation and which carries 

passengers.

    Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, firm, 

partnership, society, joint stock company; or a government, Indian 

tribe, or authority of a government or tribe offering a hazardous 

material for transportation in commerce or transporting a hazardous 

material to support a commercial enterprise. This term does not include 

the United States Postal Service or, for purposes of 49 U.S.C. 5123 and 

5124, a Department, agency, or instrumentality of the government.

    Person who offers or offeror means:

    (1) Any person who does either or both of the following:

    (i) Performs, or is responsible for performing, any pre-

transportation function required under this subchapter for 

transportation of the hazardous material in commerce.

    (ii) Tenders or makes the hazardous material available to a carrier 

for transportation in commerce.

    (2) A carrier is not an offeror when it performs a function required 

by this subchapter as a condition of acceptance of a hazardous material 

for transportation in commerce (e.g., reviewing shipping papers, 

examining packages to ensure that they are in conformance with this 

subchapter, or preparing shipping documentation for its own use) or when 

it transfers a hazardous material to another carrier for continued 

transportation in commerce without performing a pre-transportation 

function.

    PHMSA means the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590.

    Placarded car means a rail car which is placarded in accordance with 

the requirements of part 172 of this subchapter.

    Poisonous gas. See Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter.



[[Page 98]]



    Poisonous materials. See Sec. 173.132 of this subchapter.

    Portable tank means a bulk packaging (except a cylinder having a 

water capacity of 1000 pounds or less) designed primarily to be loaded 

onto, or on, or temporarily attached to a transport vehicle or ship and 

equipped with skids, mountings, or accessories to facilitate handling of 

the tank by mechanical means. It does not include a cargo tank, tank 

car, multi-unit tank car tank, or trailer carrying 3AX, 3AAX, or 3T 

cylinders.

    Preferred route or Preferred highway is a highway for shipment of 

highway route controlled quantities of radioactive materials so 

designated by a State routing agency, and any Interstate System highway 

for which an alternative highway has not been designated by such State 

agency as provided by Sec. 397.103 of this title.

    Pre-transportation function means a function specified in the HMR 

that is required to assure the safe transportation of a hazardous 

material in commerce, including--

    (1) Determining the hazard class of a hazardous material.

    (2) Selecting a hazardous materials packaging.

    (3) Filling a hazardous materials packaging, including a bulk 

packaging.

    (4) Securing a closure on a filled or partially filled hazardous 

materials package or container or on a package or container containing a 

residue of a hazardous material.

    (5) Marking a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous 

material.

    (6) Labeling a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous 

material.

    (7) Preparing a shipping paper.

    (8) Providing and maintaining emergency response information.

    (9) Reviewing a shipping paper to verify compliance with the HMR or 

international equivalents.

    (10) For each person importing a hazardous material into the United 

States, providing the shipper with timely and complete information as to 

the HMR requirements that will apply to the transportation of the 

material within the United States.

    (11) Certifying that a hazardous material is in proper condition for 

transportation in conformance with the requirements of the HMR.

    (12) Loading, blocking, and bracing a hazardous materials package in 

a freight container or transport vehicle.

    (13) Segregating a hazardous materials package in a freight 

container or transport vehicle from incompatible cargo.

    (14) Selecting, providing, or affixing placards for a freight 

container or transport vehicle to indicate that it contains a hazardous 

material.

    Primary hazard means the hazard class of a material as assigned in 

the Sec. 172.101 table.

    Private track or Private siding means: (i) Track located outside of 

a carrier's right-of-way, yard, or terminals where the carrier does not 

own the rails, ties, roadbed, or right-of-way, or

    (ii) Track leased by a railroad to a lessee, where the lease 

provides for, and actual practice entails, exclusive use of that 

trackage by the lessee and/or a general system railroad for purpose of 

moving only cars shipped to or by the lessee, and where the lessor 

otherwise exercises no control over or responsibility for the trackage 

or the cars on the trackage.

    Proper shipping name means the name of the hazardous material shown 

in Roman print (not italics) in Sec. 172.101 of this subchapter.

    Psi means pounds per square inch.

    Psia means pounds per square inch absolute.

    Psig means pounds per square inch gauge.

    Public vessel means a vessel owned by and being used in the public 

service of the United States. It does not include a vessel owned by the 

United States and engaged in a trade or commercial service or a vessel 

under contract or charter to the United States.

    Pyrophoric liquid. See Sec. 173.124(b) of this subchapter.

    Radioactive materials. See Sec. 173.403 of this subchapter for 

definitions relating to radioactive materials.

    Rail car means a car designed to carry freight or non-passenger 

personnel by rail, and includes a box car, flat car, gondola car, hopper 

car, tank car, and occupied caboose.

    Railroad means a person engaged in transportation by rail.



[[Page 99]]



    Receptacle means a containment vessel for receiving and holding 

materials, including any means of closing.

    Registered Inspector means a person registered with the Department 

in accordance with subpart F of part 107 of this chapter who has the 

knowledge and ability to determine whether a cargo tank conforms to the 

applicable DOT specification. A Registered Inspector meets the knowledge 

and ability requirements of this section by meeting any one of the 

following requirements:

    (1) Has an engineering degree and one year of work experience 

relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks;

    (2) Has an associate degree in engineering and two years of work 

experience relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks;

    (3) Has a high school diploma (or General Equivalency Diploma) and 

three years of work experience relating to the testing and inspection of 

cargo tanks; or

    (4) Has at least three years' experience performing the duties of a 

Registered Inspector prior to September 1, 1991.

    Regulated medical waste. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    Reportable quantity (RQ) for the purposes of this subchapter means 

the quantity specified in column 2 of the appendix to Sec. 172.101 for 

any material identified in column 1 of the appendix.

    Research means investigation or experimentation aimed at the 

discovery of new theories or laws and the discovery and interpretation 

of facts or revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new 

facts.

    Residue means the hazardous material remaining in a packaging, 

including a tank car, after its contents have been unloaded to the 

maximum extent practicable and before the packaging is either refilled 

or cleaned of hazardous material and purged to remove any hazardous 

vapors.

    Risk group. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    SADT means self-accelerated decomposition temperature. See Sec. 

173.21(f) of this subchapter.

    Salvage packaging means a special packaging conforming to Sec. 

173.3 of this subchapter into which damaged, defective, leaking, or non-

conforming hazardous materials packages, or hazardous materials that 

have spilled or leaked, are placed for purposes of transport for 

recovery or disposal.

    SCF (standard cubic foot) means one cubic foot of gas measured at 60 

[deg]F. and 14.7 psia.

    Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.

    Self-defense spray means an aerosol or non-pressurized device that:

    (1) Is intended to have an irritating or incapacitating effect on a 

person or animal; and

    (2) Meets no hazard criteria other than for Class 9 (for example, a 

pepper spray; see Sec. 173.140(a) of this subchapter) and, for an 

aerosol, Division 2.1 or 2.2 (see Sec. 173.115 of this subchapter), 

except that it may contain not more than two percent by mass of a tear 

gas substance (e.g., chloroacetophenone (CN) or 0-

chlorobenzylmalonitrile (CS); see Sec. 173.132(a)(2) of this 

subchapter.)

    Sharps. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    Shipping paper means a shipping order, bill of lading, manifest or 

other shipping document serving a similar purpose and containing the 

information required by Sec. Sec. 172.202, 172.203 and 172.204.

    Siftproof packaging means a packaging impermeable to dry contents, 

including fine solid material produced during transportation.

    Single packaging means a non-bulk packaging other than a combination 

packaging.

    Solid means a material which is not a gas or a liquid.

    Solution means any homogeneous liquid mixture of two or more 

chemical compounds or elements that will not undergo any segregation 

under conditions normal to transportation.

    Specification packaging means a packaging conforming to one of the 

specifications or standards for packagings in part 178 or part 179 of 

this subchapter.

    Spontaneously combustible material. See Sec. 173.124(b) of this 

subchapter.

    Stabilized means that the hazardous material is in a condition that 

precludes uncontrolled reaction. This may be achieved by methods such as 

adding an inhibiting chemical, degassing the



[[Page 100]]



hazardous material to remove dissolved oxygen and inerting the air space 

in the package, or maintaining the hazardous material under temperature 

control.

    State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 

the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern 

Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, or any other 

territory or possession of the United States designated by the 

Secretary.

    State-designated route means a preferred route selected in 

accordance with U.S. DOT ``Guidelines for Selecting Preferred Highway 

Routes for Highway Route Controlled Quantities of Radioactive 

Materials'' or an equivalent routing analysis which adequately considers 

overall risk to the public.

    Storage incidental to movement means storage of a transport vehicle, 

freight container, or package containing a hazardous material by any 

person between the time that a carrier takes physical possession of the 

hazardous material for the purpose of transporting it in commerce until 

the package containing the hazardous material is physically delivered to 

the destination indicated on a shipping document, package marking, or 

other medium, or, in the case of a private motor carrier, between the 

time that a motor vehicle driver takes physical possession of the 

hazardous material for the purpose of transporting it in commerce until 

the driver relinquishes possession of the package at its destination and 

is no longer responsible for performing functions subject to the HMR 

with respect to that particular package.

    (1) Storage incidental to movement includes--

    (i) Storage at the destination shown on a shipping document, 

including storage at a transloading facility, provided the shipping 

documentation identifies the shipment as a through-shipment and 

identifies the final destination or destinations of the hazardous 

material; and

    (ii) Rail cars containing hazardous materials that are stored on 

track that does not meet the definition of ``private track or siding'' 

in Sec. 171.8, even if those cars have been delivered to the 

destination shown on the shipping document.

    (2) Storage incidental to movement does not include storage of a 

hazardous material at its final destination as shown on a shipping 

document.

    Stowage means the act of placing hazardous materials on board a 

vessel.

    Strong outside container means the outermost enclosure which 

provides protection against the unintentional release of its contents 

under conditions normally incident to transportation.

    Subsidiary hazard means a hazard of a material other than the 

primary hazard. (See primary hazard).

    Table in Sec. 172.101 or Sec. 172.101 table means the Hazardous 

Materials Table in Sec. 172.101 of this subchapter.

    Technical name means a recognized chemical name or microbiological 

name currently used in scientific and technical handbooks, journals, and 

texts. Generic descriptions are authorized for use as technical names 

provided they readily identify the general chemical group, or 

microbiological group. Examples of acceptable generic chemical 

descriptions are organic phosphate compounds, petroleum aliphatic 

hydrocarbons and tertiary amines. For proficiency testing only, generic 

microbiological descriptions such as bacteria, mycobacteria, fungus, and 

viral samples may be used. Except for names which appear in subpart B of 

part 172 of this subchapter, trade names may not be used as technical 

names.

    TOFC means trailer-on-flat-car.

    Top shell means the tank car tank surface, excluding the head ends 

and bottom shell of the tank car tank.

    Toxin. See Sec. 173.134 of this subchapter.

    Trailership means a vessel, other than a carfloat, specifically 

equipped to carry motor transport vehicles and fitted with installed 

securing devices to tie down each vehicle. The term trailership includes 

Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) vessels.

    Train means one or more engines coupled with one or more rail cars, 

except during switching operations or where the operation is that of 

classifying and assembling rail cars within a railroad yard for the 

purpose of making or breaking up trains.



[[Page 101]]



    Trainship means a vessel other than a rail car ferry or carfloat, 

specifically equipped to transport railroad vehicles, and fitted with 

installed securing devices to tie down each vehicle.

    Transloading means the transfer of a hazardous material by any 

person from one bulk packaging to another bulk packaging, from a bulk 

packaging to a non-bulk packaging, or from a non-bulk packaging to a 

bulk packaging for the purpose of continuing the movement of the 

hazardous material in commerce.

    Transport vehicle means a cargo-carrying vehicle such as an 

automobile, van, tractor, truck, semitrailer, tank car or rail car used 

for the transportation of cargo by any mode. Each cargo-carrying body 

(trailer, rail car, etc.) is a separate transport vehicle.

    Transportation or transport means the movement of property and 

loading, unloading, or storage incidental to that movement.

    UFC means Uniform Freight Classification.

    UN means United Nations.

    UN portable tank means a intermodal tank having a capacity of more 

than 450 liters (118.9 gallons). It includes a shell fitted with service 

equipment and structural equipment, including stabilizing members 

external to the shell and skids, mountings or accessories to facilitate 

mechanical handling. A UN portable tank must be capable of being filled 

and discharged without the removal of its structural equipment and must 

be capable of being lifted when full. Cargo tanks, rail tank car tanks, 

non-metallic tanks, non-specification tanks, bulk bins, and IBCs and 

packagings made to cylinder specifications are not UN portable tanks.

    UN Recommendations means the UN Recommendations on the Transport of 

Dangerous Goods (IBR, see Sec. 171.7).

    UN standard packaging means a packaging conforming to standards in 

the UN Recommendations (IBR, see Sec. 171.7).

    Undeclared hazardous material means a hazardous material that is: 

(1) Subject to any of the hazard communication requirements in subparts 

C (Shipping Papers), D (Marking), E (Labeling), and F (Placarding) of 

Part 172 of this subchapter, or an alternative marking requirement in 

Part 173 of this subchapter (such as Sec. Sec. 173.4(a)(10) and 

173.6(c)); and (2) offered for transportation in commerce without any 

visible indication to the person accepting the hazardous material for 

transportation that a hazardous material is present, on either an 

accompanying shipping document, or the outside of a transport vehicle, 

freight container, or package.

    Unintentional release means the escape of a hazardous material from 

a package on an occasion not anticipated or planned. This includes 

releases resulting from collision, package failures, human error, 

criminal activity, negligence, improper packing, or unusual conditions 

such as the operation of pressure relief devices as a result of over-

pressurization, overfill or fire exposure. It does not include releases, 

such as venting of packages, where allowed, and the operational 

discharge of contents from packages.

    Unit load device means any type of freight container, aircraft 

container, aircraft pallet with a net, or aircraft pallet with a net 

over an igloo.

    United States means a State of the United States, the District of 

Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, or 

any other territory or possession of the United States designated by the 

Secretary.

    Unloading incidental to movement means removing a packaged or 

containerized hazardous material from a transport vehicle, aircraft, or 

vessel, or for a bulk packaging, emptying a hazardous material from the 

bulk packaging after the hazardous material has been delivered to the 

consignee when performed by carrier personnel or in the presence of 

carrier personnel or, in the case of a private motor carrier, while the 

driver of the motor vehicle from which the hazardous material is being 

unloaded immediately after movement is completed is present during the 

unloading operation. (Emptying a hazardous material from a bulk 

packaging while the packaging is on board a vessel is subject to 

separate regulations as delegated by Department of Homeland Security 

Delegation



[[Page 102]]



No. 0170.1 at 2(103).) Unloading incidental to movement includes 

transloading.

    Vessel includes every description of watercraft, used or capable of 

being used as a means of transportation on the water.

    Viscous liquid means a liquid material which has a measured 

viscosity in excess of 2500 centistokes at 25 [deg]C. (77 [deg]F.) when 

determined in accordance with the procedures specified in ASTM Method D 

445-72 ``Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and the 

Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)'' or ASTM Method D 1200-70 ``Viscosity 

of Paints, Varnishes, and Lacquers by Ford Viscosity Cup.''

    Volatility refers to the relative rate of evaporation of materials 

to assume the vapor state.

    Water reactive material. See Sec. 173.124(c) of this subchapter.

    Water resistant means having a degree of resistance to permeability 

by and damage caused by water in liquid form.

    Wooden barrel means a packaging made of natural wood, of round 

cross-section, having convex walls, consisting of staves and heads and 

fitted with hoops.

    W.T. means watertight.



[Amdt. 171-32, 41 FR 15994, Apr. 15, 1976]



    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 

171.8, see the List of CFR Sections Affected which appears in the 

Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.