[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: 49CFR173.3]



[Page 421-423]

 

                        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 A_General

 

Sec. 173.3  Packaging and exceptions.



    (a) The packaging of hazardous materials for transportation by air, 

highway, rail, or water must be as specified in this part. Methods of 

manufacture, packing, and storage of hazardous materials, that affect 

safety in transportation, must be open to inspection by a duly 

authorized representative of the initial carrier or of the Department. 

Methods of manufacture and related functions necessary for completion of 

a DOT specification or U.N. standard packaging must be open to 

inspection by a representative of the Department.

    (b) The regulations setting forth packaging requirements for a 

specific material apply to all modes of transportation unless otherwise 

stated, or unless exceptions from packaging requirements are authorized.

    (c) Salvage drums. Packages of hazardous materials that are damaged, 

defective, or leaking; packages found to be not conforming to the 

requirements of this subchapter after having been placed in 

transportation; and, hazardous materials that have spilled or leaked may 

be placed in a metal or plastic removable head salvage drum that is 

compatible with the lading and shipped for repackaging or disposal under 

the following conditions:

    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(7) of this section, the drum 

must be a UN 1A2, 1B2, 1N2 or 1H2 tested and marked for Packing Group 

III or higher



[[Page 422]]



performance standards for liquids or solids and a leakproofness test of 

20 kPa (3 psig). Alternatively, a drum manufactured and marked prior to 

October 1, 1993 as a salvage drum, in accordance with the provisions of 

this section in effect on September 30, 1991, is authorized. Capacity of 

the drum may not exceed 450 L (119 gallons).

    (2) Each drum shall be provided when necessary with sufficient 

cushioning and absorption material to prevent excessive shifting of the 

damaged package and to eliminate the presence of any free liquid at the 

time the salvage drum is closed. All cushioning and absorbent material 

used in the drum must be compatible with the hazardous material.

    (3) Each salvage packaging must be marked with the proper shipping 

name of the hazardous material inside the packaging and the name and 

address of the consignee. In addition, the packaging must be marked 

``SALVAGE'' or ``SALVAGE DRUM''.

    (4) Each drum shall be labeled as prescribed for the respective 

material.

    (5) The shipper shall prepare shipping papers in accordance with 

subpart C of part 172 of this subchapter.

    (6) The overpack requirements of Sec. 173.25 do not apply to drums 

used in accordance with this paragraph.

    (7) A salvage packaging marked ``T'' in accordance with applicable 

provisions in the UN Recommendations may be used.

    (d) Salvage cylinders. Cylinders of hazardous materials that are 

damaged or leaking may be overpacked in a non-DOT specification full 

opening hinged head or fully removable head steel salvage cylinder under 

the following conditions:

    (1) Only a cylinder containing a Division 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3, 6.1, or 

a Class 8 material may be overpacked in a salvage cylinder. A cylinder 

containing acetylene may not be overpacked in a salvage cylinder.

    (2) Each salvage cylinder--

    (i) Must be designed, constructed and marked in accordance with 

Section VIII, Division I of the ASME Code (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of this 

subchapter) with a minimum design margin of 4 to 1. Salvage cylinders 

may not be equipped with a pressure relief device. Damaged cylinders 

must be securely positioned in the salvage cylinder to prevent excessive 

movement. The overpack requirements of Sec. 173.25 of this part do not 

apply to salvage cylinders used in accordance with this section.

    (ii) Must have a maximum water capacity of 450 L (119 gallons).

    (iii) Except for liquefied nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide, 

contents of the damaged or leaking cylinder must be limited in pressure 

and volume so that if totally discharged into the salvage cylinder, the 

pressure in the salvage cylinder will not exceed \5/4\ of the MAWP at 55 

[deg]C (131 [deg]F).

    (iv) Must have gaskets, valves and fittings that are compatible with 

the hazardous materials contained within.

    (3) Each salvage cylinder must be plainly and durably marked. Unless 

otherwise specified, the markings below must be in the same area on any 

portion of the upper end:

    (i) The proper shipping name of the hazardous material contained 

inside the packaging;

    (ii) The name and address of the consignee or consignor;

    (iii) The name and address or registered symbol of the manufacturer; 

and

    (iv) The words ``SALVAGE CYLINDER'' in letters at least 50 mm (2.0 

inches) high on opposite sides near the middle of the cylinder; stamping 

on the sidewall is not authorized.

    (4) Each salvage cylinder must be labeled for the hazardous material 

contained inside the packaging.

    (5) The shipper must prepare shipping papers in accordance with 

subpart C of part 172 of this subchapter.

    (6) Transportation is authorized by motor vehicle only.

    (7) Each salvage cylinder must be cleaned and purged after each use.

    (8) In addition to the training requirements of Sec. Sec. 172.700 

through 172.704 of this subchapter, a person who loads, unloads or 

transports a salvage cylinder must be trained in handling, loading and 

unloading the salvage cylinder.

    (9) Cylinder Requalification: At least once every five years, each 

cylinder must be visually inspected (internally and externally) in 

accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-6 (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of



[[Page 423]]



this subchapter) and pressure tested. A minimum test pressure of at 

least 1\1/2\ times MAWP must be maintained for at least 30 seconds. The 

cylinder must be examined under test pressure and removed from service 

if a leak or a defect is found.

    (i) The retest and inspection must be performed by a person familiar 

with salvage cylinders and trained and experienced in the use of the 

inspection and testing equipment.

    (ii) Each salvage cylinder that is successfully requalified must be 

durably and legibly marked with the word ``Tested'' followed by the 

requalification date (month/year), e.g., ``Tested 9/04.'' The marking 

must be in letters and numbers at least 12 mm (0.5 inches) high. The 

requalification marking may be placed on any portion of the upper end of 

the cylinder near the marking required in (d)(3) of this section or on a 

metal plate permanently secured to the cylinder. Stamping on the 

cylinder sidewall is not authorized.

    (10) Record retention: The owner of each salvage cylinder or his 

authorized agent shall retain a record of the most recent visual 

inspection and pressure test until the salvage cylinder is requalified. 

The records must be made available to a DOT representative upon request.

    (e) Emergency transportation of DOT 3A480 or 3AA480 cylinders and 

DOT 106A500 multi-unit tank car tanks. (1) A DOT 3A480 or DOT 3AA480 

cylinder containing chlorine or sulphur dioxide that has developed a 

leak in a valve or fusible plug may be repaired temporarily by trained 

personnel using a Chlorine Institute Kit ``A'' (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of 

this subchapter). The repaired cylinder is authorized to be transported 

by private or contract carrier one time, one way, from the point of 

discovery to a proper facility for discharge and examination.

    (2) A DOT 106A500 multi-unit tank car tank containing chlorine or 

sulphur dioxide that has developed a leak in the valve or fusible plug 

may be temporarily repaired by trained personnel using a Chlorine 

Institute Kit ``B'' (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter). The 

repaired tank is authorized to be transported by private or contract 

carrier one time, one way, from the point of discovery to a proper 

facility for discharge and examination.

    (3) Training for personnel making the repairs in paragraphs (d)(1) 

and (d)(2) of this section must include:

    (i) Proper use of the devices and tools in the applicable kits;

    (ii) Use of respiratory equipment and all other safety equipment; 

and

    (iii) Knowledge of the properties of chlorine and sulphur dioxide.

    (4) Packagings repaired with ``A'' or ``B'' kits must be properly 

blocked and braced to ensure the packagings are secured in the transport 

vehicle.



[Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52607, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66265, 

Dec. 20, 1991; Amdt. 173-234, 58 FR 51531, Oct. 1, 1993; Amdt. 173-261, 

62 FR 24719, May 6, 1997; 66 FR 45380, Aug. 28, 2001; 68 FR 48569, Aug. 

14, 2003; 69 FR 76154, Dec. 20, 2004; 70 FR 3307, Jan. 24, 2005; 68 FR 

61941, Oct. 30, 2003; 70 FR 34397, June 14, 2005; 70 FR 56098, Sept. 23, 

2005]