[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: 49CFR173.124]



[Page 497-499]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 173_SHIPPERS_GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS

--Table of Contents

 

  Subpart D_Definitions Classification, Packing Group Assignments and 

    Exceptions for Hazardous Materials Other Than Class 1 and Class 7

 

Sec. 173.124  Class 4, Divisions 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3--Definitions.



    (a) Division 4.1 (Flammable Solid). For the purposes of this 

subchapter, flammable solid (Division 4.1) means any of the following 

three types of materials:

    (1) Desensitized explosives that--

    (i) When dry are Explosives of Class 1 other than those of 

compatibility group A, which are wetted with sufficient water, alcohol, 

or plasticizer to suppress explosive properties; and

    (ii) Are specifically authorized by name either in the Sec. 

172.101Table or have been assigned a shipping name and hazard class by 

the Associate Administrator under the provisions of--

    (A) An exemption issued under subchapter A of this chapter; or

    (B) An approval issued under Sec. 173.56(i) of this part.

    (2)(i) Self-reactive materials are materials that are thermally 

unstable and that can undergo a strongly exothermic decomposition even 

without participation of oxygen (air). A material is excluded from this 

definition if any of the following applies:

    (A) The material meets the definition of an explosive as prescribed 

in subpart C of this part, in which case it must be classed as an 

explosive;

    (B) The material is forbidden from being offered for transportation 

according to Sec. 172.101 of this subchapter or Sec. 173.21;

    (C) The material meets the definition of an oxidizer or organic 

peroxide as prescribed in subpart D of this part, in which case it must 

be so classed;

    (D) The material meets one of the following conditions:

    (1) Its heat of decomposition is less than 300 J/g; or

    (2) Its self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) is 

greater than 75 [deg]C (167 [deg]F) for a 50 kg package; or

    (E) The Associate Administrator has determined that the material 

does not present a hazard which is associated with a Division 4.1 

material.

    (ii) Generic types. Division 4.1 self-reactive materials are 

assigned to a generic system consisting of seven types. A self-reactive 

substance identified by technical name in the Self-Reactive Materials 

Table in Sec. 173.224 is assigned to a generic type in accordance with 

that table. Self-reactive materials not identified in the Self-Reactive 

Materials Table in Sec. 173.224 are assigned to generic types under the 

procedures of paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.

    (A) Type A. Self-reactive material type A is a self-reactive 

material which, as packaged for transportation, can detonate or 

deflagrate rapidly. Transportation of type A self-reactive material is 

forbidden.

    (B) Type B. Self-reactive material type B is a self-reactive 

material which, as packaged for transportation,



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neither detonates nor deflagrates rapidly, but is liable to undergo a 

thermal explosion in a package.

    (C) Performance of the self-reactive material under the test 

procedures specified in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see 

Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter) and the provisions of paragraph 

(a)(2)(iii) of this section; and

    (D) Type D. Self-reactive material type D is a self-reactive 

material which--

    (1) Detonates partially, does not deflagrate rapidly and shows no 

violent effect when heated under confinement;

    (2) Does not detonate at all, deflagrates slowly and shows no 

violent effect when heated under confinement; or

    (3) Does not detonate or deflagrate at all and shows a medium effect 

when heated under confinement.

    (E) Type E. Self-reactive material type E is a self-reactive 

material which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates nor deflagrates 

at all and shows only a low or no effect when heated under confinement.

    (F) Type F. Self-reactive material type F is a self-reactive 

material which, in laboratory testing, neither detonates in the 

cavitated state nor deflagrates at all and shows only a low or no effect 

when heated under confinement as well as low or no explosive power.

    (G) Type G. Self-reactive material type G is a self-reactive 

material which, in laboratory testing, does not detonate in the 

cavitated state, will not deflagrate at all, shows no effect when heated 

under confinement, nor shows any explosive power. A type G self-reactive 

material is not subject to the requirements of this subchapter for self-

reactive material of Division 4.1 provided that it is thermally stable 

(self-accelerating decomposition temperature is 50 [deg]C (122 [deg]F) 

or higher for a 50 kg (110 pounds) package). A self-reactive material 

meeting all characteristics of type G except thermal stability is 

classed as a type F self-reactive, temperature control material.

    (iii) Procedures for assigning a self-reactive material to a generic 

type. A self-reactive material must be assigned to a generic type based 

on--

    (A) Its physical state (i.e. liquid or solid), in accordance with 

the definition of liquid and solid in Sec. 171.8 of this subchapter;

    (B) A determination as to its control temperature and emergency 

temperature, if any, under the provisions of Sec. 173.21(f);

    (C) Performance of the self-reactive material under the test 

procedures specified in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of 

Dangerous Goods, Tests and Criteria (see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter) 

and the provisions of paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section; and

    (D) Except for a self-reactive material which is identified by 

technical name in the Self-Reactive Materials Table in Sec. 173.224(b) 

or a self-reactive material which may be shipped as a sample under the 

provisions of Sec. 173.224, the self-reactive material is approved in 

writing by the Associate Administrator. The person requesting approval 

shall submit to the Associate Administrator the tentative shipping 

description and generic type and--

    (1) All relevant data concerning physical state, temperature 

controls, and tests results; or

    (2) An approval issued for the self-reactive material by the 

competent authority of a foreign government.

    (iv) Tests. The generic type for a self-reactive material must be 

determined using the testing protocol from Figure 14.2 (Flow Chart for 

Assigning Self-Reactive Substances to Division 4.1) from the UN Manual 

of Tests and Criteria.

    (3) Readily combustible solids are materials that--

    (i) Are solids which may cause a fire through friction, such as 

matches;

    (ii) Show a burning rate faster than 2.2 mm (0.087 inches) per 

second when tested in accordance with the UN Manual of Tests and 

Criteria (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter); or

    (iii) Any metal powders that can be ignited and react over the whole 

length of a sample in 10 minutes or less, when tested in accordance with 

the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.

    (b) Division 4.2 (Spontaneously Combustible Material). For the 

purposes of this subchapter, spontaneously combustible material 

(Division 4.2) means--

    (1) A pyrophoric material. A pyrophoric material is a liquid or 

solid



[[Page 499]]



that, even in small quantities and without an external ignition source, 

can ignite within five (5) minutes after coming in contact with air when 

tested according to UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.

    (2) A self-heating material. A self-heating material is a material 

that, when in contact with air and without an energy supply, is liable 

to self-heat. A material of this type which exhibits spontaneous 

ignition or if the temperature of the sample exceeds 200 [deg]C (392 

[deg]F) during the 24-hour test period when tested in accordance with UN 

Manual of Tests and Criteria, is classed as a Division 4.2 material.

    (c) Division 4.3 (Dangerous when wet material). For the purposes of 

this chapter, dangerous when wet material (Division 4.3) means a 

material that, by contact with water, is liable to become spontaneously 

flammable or to give off flammable or toxic gas at a rate greater than 1 

L per kilogram of the material, per hour, when tested in accordance with 

UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.



[Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52634, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66268, 

Dec. 20, 1991; 57 FR 45461, Oct. 1, 1992; Amdt. 173-233, 58 FR 33305, 

June 16, 1993; Amdt. 173-234, 58 FR 51532, Oct. 1, 1993; Amdt. 173-241, 

59 FR 67507, Dec. 29, 1994; Amdt. 173-261, 62 FR 24731, May 6, 1997; 66 

FR 8647, Feb. 1, 2001; 66 FR 45379, Aug. 28, 2001; 68 FR 75744, Dec. 31, 

2003]