[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: 49CFR173.59]



[Page 470-476]

 

                        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 C_Definitions, Classification and Packaging for Class 1

 

Sec. 173.59  Description of terms for explosives.



    For the purpose of this subchapter, a description of the following 

terms is provided for information only. They must not be used for 

purposes of classification or to replace proper shipping names 

prescribed in Sec. 172.101 of this subchapter.

    Ammonium-nitrate--fuel oil mixture (ANFO). A blasting explosive 

containing no essential ingredients other than prilled ammonium nitrate 

and fuel oil.

    Ammunition. Generic term related mainly to articles of military 

application consisting of all types of bombs, grenades, rockets, mines, 

projectiles and other similar devices or contrivances.

    Ammunition, illuminating, with or without burster, expelling charge 

or propelling charge. Ammunition designed to produce a single source of 

intense light for lighting up an area. The term includes illuminating 

cartridges, grenades and projectiles, and illuminating and target 

identification bombs. The term excludes the following articles which are 

listed separately: cartridges, signal; signal devices; hand signals; 

distress flares, aerial and flares, surface.

    Ammunition, incendiary. Ammunition containing an incendiary 

substance which may be a solid, liquid or gel including white 

phosphorus. Except when the composition is an explosive per se, it also 

contains one or more of the following: a propelling charge with primer 

and igniter charge, or a fuze with burster or expelling charge. The term 

includes: Ammunition, incendiary, liquid or gel, with burster, expelling 

charge or propelling charge; Ammunition, incendiary with or without 

burster, expelling charge or propelling charge; and Ammunition, 

incendiary, white phosphorus, with burster, expelling charge or 

propelling charge.

    Ammunition, practice. Ammunition without a main bursting charge, 

containing a burster or expelling charge. Normally it also contains a 

fuze and propelling charge. The term excludes the following article 

which is listed separately: Grenades, practice.

    Ammunition, proof. Ammunition containing pyrotechnic substance, used 

to test the performance or strength of



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new ammunition, weapon component or assemblies.

    Ammunition, smoke. Ammunition containing a smoke-producing substance 

such as chlorosulphonic acid mixture (CSAM), titanium tetrachloride 

(FM), white phosphorus, or smoke-producing substance whose composition 

is based on hexachlorothannol (HC) or red phosphorus. Except when the 

substance is an explosive per se, the ammunition also contains one or 

more of the following: a propelling charge with primer and igniter 

charge, or a fuze with burster or expelling charge. The term includes: 

Ammunition, smoke, with or without burster, expelling charge or 

propelling charge; Ammunition, smoke, white phosphorus with burster, 

expelling charge or propelling charge.

    Ammunition, tear-producing with burster, expelling charge or 

propelling charge. Ammunition containing tear-producing substance. It 

may also contain one or more of the following: a pyrotechnic substance, 

a propelling charge with primer and igniter charge, or a fuze with 

burster or expelling charge.

    Ammunition, toxic. Ammunition containing toxic agent. It may also 

contain one or more of the following: a pyrotechnic substance, a 

propelling charge with primer and igniter charge, or a fuze with burster 

or expelling charge.

    Articles, explosive, extremely insensitive (Articles, EEI). Articles 

that contain only extremely insensitive detonating substances and which 

demonstrate a negligible probability of accidental initiation or 

propagation under normal conditions of transport and which have passed 

Test Series 7.

    Articles, pyrophoric. Articles which contain a pyrophoric substance 

(capable of spontaneous ignition when exposed to air) and an explosive 

substance or component. The term excludes articles containing white 

phosphorus.

    Articles, pyrotechnic for technical purposes. Articles which contain 

pyrotechnic substances and are used for technical purposes, such as heat 

generation, gas generation, theatrical effects, etc. The term excludes 

the following articles which are listed separately: all ammunition; 

cartridges, signal; cutters, cable, explosive; fireworks; flares, 

aerial; flares, surface; release devices, explosives; rivets, explosive; 

signal devices, hand; signals, distress; signals, railway track, 

explosive; and signals, smoke.

    Black powder (gunpowder). Substance consisting of an intimate 

mixture of charcoal or other carbon and either potassium or sodium 

nitrate, and sulphur. It may be meal, granular, compressed, or 

pelletized.

    Bombs. Explosive articles which are dropped from aircraft. They may 

contain a flammable liquid with bursting charge, a photo-flash 

composition or bursting charge. The term excludes torpedoes (aerial) and 

includes bombs, photo-flash; bombs with bursting charge; bombs with 

flammable liquids, with bursting charge.

    Boosters. Articles consisting of a charge of detonating explosive 

without means of initiation. They are used to increase the initiating 

power of detonators or detonating cord.

    Bursters, explosive. Articles consisting of a small charge of 

explosive to open projectiles or other ammunition in order to disperse 

their contents.

    Cartridges, blank. Articles which consist of a cartridge case with a 

center or rim fire primer and a confined charge of smokeless or black 

powder, but no projectile. Used in training, saluting, or in starter 

pistols, etc.

    Cartridges, flash. Articles consisting of a casing, a primer and 

flash powder, all assembled in one piece for firing.

    Cartridges for weapons. (1) Fixed (assembled) or semi-fixed 

(partially assembled) ammunition designed to be fired from weapons. Each 

cartridge includes all the components necessary to function the weapon 

once. The name and description should be used for military small arms 

cartridges that cannot be described as cartridges, small arms. Separate 

loading ammunition is included under this name and description when the 

propelling charge and projectile are packed together (see also 

Cartridges, blank).

    (2) Incendiary, smoke, toxic, and tear-producing cartridges are 

described under ammunition, incendiary, etc.

    Cartridges for weapons, inert projectile. Ammunition consisting of a 

casing with propelling charge and a solid or empty projectile.



[[Page 472]]



    Cartridges, oil well. Articles consisting of a casing of thin fiber, 

metal or other material containing only propellant explosive. The term 

excludes charges, shaped, commercial.

    Cartridges, power device. Articles designed to accomplish mechanical 

actions. They consist of a casing with a charge of deflagrating 

explosive and a means of ignition. The gaseous products of the 

deflagration produce inflation, linear or rotary motion; activate 

diaphragms, valves or switches, or project fastening devices or 

extinguishing agents.

    Cartridges, signal. Articles designed to fire colored flares or 

other signals from signal pistols or devices.

    Cartridges, small arms. Ammunition consisting of a cartridge case 

fitted with a center or rim fire primer and containing both a propelling 

charge and solid projectile(s). They are designed to be fired in weapons 

of caliber not larger than 19.1 mm. Shotgun cartridges of any caliber 

are included in this description. The term excludes: Cartridges, small 

arms, blank, and some military small arms cartridges listed under 

Cartridges for weapons, inert projectile.

    Cases, cartridge, empty with primer. Articles consisting of a 

cartridge case made from metal, plastics or other non-flammable 

materials, in which only the explosive component is the primer.

    Cases, combustible, empty, without primer. Articles consisting of 

cartridge cases made partly or entirely from nitrocellulose.

    Charges, bursting. Articles consisting of a charge of detonating 

explosive such as hexolite, octolite, or plastics-bonded explosive 

designed to produce effect by blast or fragmentation.

    Charges, demolition. Articles consisting of a charge of detonating 

explosive in a casing of fiberboard, plastics, metal or other material. 

The term excludes articles identified as bombs, mines, etc.

    Charges, depth. Articles consisting of a charge of detonating 

explosive contained in a drum or projectile. They are designed to 

detonate under water.

    Charges, expelling. A charge of deflagrating explosive designed to 

eject the payload from the parent article without damage.

    Charges, explosive, without detonator. Articles consisting of a 

charge of detonating explosive without means of initiation, used for 

explosive welding, joining, forming, and other processes.

    Charges, propelling. Articles consisting of propellant charge in any 

physical form, with or without a casing, for use in cannon or for 

reducing drag for projectiles or as a component of rocket motors.

    Charges, propelling for cannon. Articles consisting of a propellant 

charge in any physical form, with or without a casing, for use in a 

cannon.

    Charges, shaped, without detonator. Articles consisting of a casing 

containing a charge of detonating explosive with a cavity lined with 

rigid material, without means of initiation. They are designed to 

produce a powerful, penetrating jet effect.

    Charges, shaped, flexible, linear. Articles consisting of a V-shaped 

core of a detonating explosive clad by a flexible metal sheath.

    Charges, supplementary, explosive. Articles consisting of a small 

removable booster used in the cavity of a projectile between the fuze 

and the bursting charge.

    Components, explosive train, n.o.s. Articles containing an explosive 

designed to transmit a detonation or deflagration within an explosive 

train.

    Contrivance, water-activated with burster, expelling charge or 

propelling charge. Articles whose functioning depends of physico-

chemical reaction of their contents with water.

    Cord, detonating, flexible. Articles consisting of a core of 

detonating explosive enclosed in spun fabric with plastics or other 

covering.

    Cord (fuse) detonating, metal clad. Articles consisting of a core of 

detonating explosive clad by a soft metal tube with or without 

protective covering. When the core contains a sufficiently small 

quantity of explosive, the words ``mild effect'' are added.

    Cord igniter. Articles consisting of textile yarns covered with 

black powder or another fast-burning pyrotechnic composition and a 

flexible protective covering, or consisting of a core



[[Page 473]]



of black powder surrounded by a flexible woven fabric. It burns 

progressively along its length with an external flame and is used to 

transmit ignition from a device to a charge or primer.

    Cutters, cable, explosive. Articles consisting of a knife-edged 

device which is driven by a small charge of deflagrating explosive into 

an anvil.

    Detonator assemblies, non-electric, for blasting. Non-electric 

detonators assembled with and activated by such means as safety fuse, 

shock tube, flash tube, or detonating cord. They may be of instantaneous 

design or incorporate delay elements. Detonating relays incorporating 

detonating cord are included. Other detonating relays are included in 

Detonators, nonelectric.

    Detonators. Articles consisting of a small metal or plastic tube 

containing explosives such as lead azide, PETN, or combinations of 

explosives. They are designed to start a detonation train. They may be 

constructed to detonate instantaneously, or may contain a delay element. 

They may contain no more than 10 g of total explosives weight, excluding 

ignition and delay charges, per unit. The term includes: detonators for 

ammunition; detonators for blasting, both electric and non-electric; and 

detonating relays without flexible detonating cord.

    Dynamite. A detonating explosive containing a liquid explosive 

ingredient (generally nitroglycerin, similar organic nitrate esters, or 

both) that is uniformly mixed with an absorbent material, such as wood 

pulp, and usually contains materials such as nitrocellulose, sodium and 

ammonium nitrate.

    Entire load and total contents. The phrase means such a substantial 

portion of the material explodes that the practical hazard should be 

assessed by assuming simultaneous explosion of the whole of the 

explosive content of the load or package.

    Explode. The term indicates those explosive effects capable of 

endangering life and property through blast, heat, and projection of 

missiles. It encompasses both deflagration and detonation.

    Explosion of the total contents. The phrase is used in testing a 

single article or package or a small stack of articles or packages.

    Explosive, blasting. Detonating explosive substances used in mining, 

construction, and similar tasks. Blasting explosives are assigned to one 

of five types. In addition to the ingredients listed below for each 

type, blasting explosives may also contain inert components, such as 

kieselguhr, and other minor ingredients, such as coloring agents and 

stabilizers.

    Explosive, blasting, type A. Substances consisting of liquid organic 

nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of such ingredients with 

one or more of the following: nitrocellulose, ammonium nitrate or other 

inorganic nitrates, aromatic nitro-derivatives, or combustible 

materials, such as wood-meal and aluminum powder. Such explosives must 

be in powdery, gelatinous, plastic or elastic form. The term includes 

dynamite, blasting gelatine and gelatine dynamites.

    Explosive, blasting, type B. Substances consisting of a mixture of 

ammonium nitrate or other inorganic nitrates with an explosive, such as 

trinitrotoluene, with or without other substances, such as wood-meal or 

aluminum powder, or a mixture of ammonium nitrate or other inorganic 

nitrates with other combustible substances which are not explosive 

ingredients. Such explosives may not contain nitroglycerin, similar 

liquid organic nitrates, or chlorates.

    Explosive, blasting, type C. Substances consisting of a mixture of 

either potassium or sodium chlorate or potassium, sodium or ammonium 

perchlorate with organic nitro-derivatives or combustible materials, 

such as wood-meal or aluminum powder, or a hydrocarbon. Such explosives 

must not contain nitroglycerin or any similar liquid organic nitrate.

    Explosive, blasting, type D. Substances consisting of a mixture of 

organic nitrate compounds and combustible materials, such as 

hydrocarbons and aluminum powder. Such explosives must not contain 

nitroglycerin, any similar liquid organic nitrate, chlorate or ammonium-

nitrate. The term generally includes plastic explosives.



[[Page 474]]



    Explosive, blasting, type E. Substances consisting of water as an 

essential ingredient and high proportions of ammonium nitrate or other 

oxidizer, some or all of which are in solution. The other constituents 

may include nitro-derivatives, such as trinitrotoluene, hydrocarbons or 

aluminum powder. The term includes: explosives, emulsion; explosives, 

slurry; and explosives, watergel.

    Explosive, deflagrating. A substance, e.g., propellant, which reacts 

by deflagration rather than detonation when ignited and used in its 

normal manner.

    Explosive, detonating. A substance which reacts by detonation rather 

than deflagration when initiated and used in its normal manner.

    Explosive, extremely insensitive detonating substance (EIDS). A 

substance which, although capable of sustaining a detonation, has 

demonstrated through tests that it is so insensitive that there is very 

little probability of accidental initiation.

    Explosive, primary. Explosive substance which is manufactured with a 

view to producing a practical effect by explosion, is very sensitive to 

heat, impact, or friction, and even in very small quantities, detonates. 

The major primary explosives are mercury fulminate, lead azide, and lead 

styphnate.

    Explosive, secondary. An explosive substance which is relatively 

insensitive (when compared to primary explosives) and is usually 

initiated by primary explosives with or without the aid of boosters or 

supplementary charges. Such an explosive may react as a deflagrating or 

as a detonating explosive.

    Fireworks. Pyrotechnic articles designed for entertainment.

    Flares. Articles containing pyrotechnic substances which are 

designed to illuminate, identify, signal, or warn. The term includes: 

flares, aerial and flares, surface.

    Flash powder. Pyrotechnic substance which, when ignited, produces an 

intense light.

    Fracturing devices, explosive, for oil wells, without detonators. 

Articles consisting of a charge of detonating explosive contained in a 

casing without the means of initiation. They are used to fracture the 

rock around a drill shaft to assist the flow of crude oil from the rock.

    Fuse/Fuze. Although these two words have a common origin (French 

fusee, fusil) and are sometimes considered to be different spellings, it 

is useful to maintain the convention that fuse refers to a cord-like 

igniting device, whereas fuze refers to a device used in ammunition 

which incorporates mechanical, electrical, chemical, or hydrostatic 

components to initiate a train by deflagration or detonation.

    Fuse, igniter. Articles consisting of a metal tube with a core of 

deflagrating explosives.

    Fuse, instantaneous, non-detonating (Quickmatch). Article consisting 

of cotton yarns impregnated with fine black powder. It burns with an 

external flame and is used in ignition trains for fireworks, etc.

    Fuse, safety. Article consisting of a core of fine-grained black 

powder surrounded by a flexible woven fabric with one or more protective 

outer coverings. When ignited, it burns at a predetermined rate without 

any explosive effect.

    Fuzes. Articles designed to start a detonation or deflagration in 

ammunition. They incorporate mechanical, electrical, chemical, or 

hydrostatic components and generally protective features. The term 

includes: Fuzes, detonating; fuzes detonating with protective features; 

and fuzes igniting.

    Grenades, hand or rifle. Articles which are designed to be thrown by 

hand or to be projected by rifle. The term includes: grenades, hand or 

rifle, with bursting charge; and grenades, practice, hand or rifle. The 

term excludes: grenades, smoke.

    Igniters. Articles containing one or more explosive substance used 

to start deflagration of an explosive train. They may be actuated 

chemically, electrically, or mechanically. The term excludes: cord, 

igniter; fuse, igniter; fuse, instantaneous, non-detonating; fuze, 

igniting; lighters, fuse, instantaneous, non-detonating; fuzes, 

igniting; lighters, fuse; primers, cap type; and primers, tubular.

    Ignition, means of. A general term used in connection with the 

method employed to ignite a deflagrating train of explosive or 

pyrotechnic substances



[[Page 475]]



(for example: a primer for propelling charge, an igniter for a rocket 

motor or an igniting fuze).

    Initiation, means of. (1) A device intended to cause the detonation 

of an explosive (for example: detonator, detonator for ammunition, or 

detonating fuze).

    (2) The term with its own means of initiation means that the 

contrivance has its normal initiating device assembled to it and this 

device is considered to present a significant risk during transport but 

not one great enough to be unacceptable. The term does not apply, 

however, to a contrivance packed together with its means of initiation, 

provided the device is packaged so as to eliminate the risk of causing 

detonation of the contrivance in the event of functioning of the 

initiating device. The initiating device can even be assembled in the 

contrivance provided there are protective features ensuring that the 

device is very unlikely to cause detonation of the contrivance under 

conditions which are associated with transport.

    (3) For the purposes of classification, any means of initiation 

without two effective protective features should be regarded as 

Compatibility Group B; an article with its own means of initiation, 

without two effective protective features, is Compatibility Group F. A 

means of initiation which itself possesses two effective protective 

features is Compatibility Group D, and an article with its own means of 

initiation which possesses two effective features is Compatibility Group 

D or E. A means of initiation, adjudged as having two effective 

protective features, must be approved by the Associate Administrator. A 

common and effective way of achieving the necessary degree of protection 

is to use a means of initiation which incorporates two or more 

independent safety features.

    Jet perforating guns, charged, oil well, without detonator. Articles 

consisting of a steel tube or metallic strip, into which are inserted 

shaped charges connected by detonating cord, without means of 

initiation.

    Lighters, fuse. Articles of various design actuated by friction, 

percussion, or electricity and used to ignite safety fuse.

    Mass explosion. Explosion which affects almost the entire load 

virtually instantaneously.

    Mines. Articles consisting normally of metal or composition 

receptacles and bursting charge. They are designed to be operated by the 

passage of ships, vehicles, or personnel. The term includes Bangalore 

torpedoes.

    Powder cake (powder paste). Substance consisting of nitrocellulose 

impregnated with not more than 60 percent of nitroglycerin or other 

liquid organic nitrates or a mixture of these.

    Powder, smokeless. Substance based on nitrocellulose used as 

propellant. The term includes propellants with a single base 

(nitrocellulose (NC) alone), those with a double base (such as NC and 

nitroglycerin (NG)) and those with a triple base (such as NC/NG/

nitroguanidine). Cast pressed or bag-charges of smokeless powder are 

listed under charges, propelling and charges, propelling for cannon.

    Primers, cap type. Articles consisting of a metal or plastic cap 

containing a small amount of primary explosive mixture that is readily 

ignited by impact. They serve as igniting elements in small arms 

cartridges and in percussion primers for propelling charges.

    Primers, tubular. Articles consisting of a primer for ignition and 

an auxiliary charge of deflagrating explosive, such as black powder, 

used to ignite the propelling charge in a cartridge case for cannon, 

etc.

    Projectiles. Articles, such as a shell or bullet, which are 

projected from a cannon or other artillery gun, rifle, or other small 

arm. They may be inert, with or without tracer, or may contain a 

burster, expelling charge or bursting charge. The term includes: 

projectiles, inert, with tracer; projectiles, with burster or expelling 

charge; and projectiles, with bursting charge.

    Propellant, liquid. Substances consisting of a deflagrating liquid 

explosive, used for propulsion.

    Propellant, solid. Substances consisting of a deflagrating solid 

explosive, used for propulsion.

    Propellants. Deflagrating explosives used for propulsion or for 

reducing the drag of projectiles.



[[Page 476]]



    Release devices, explosive. Articles consisting of a small charge of 

explosive with means of initiation. They sever rods or links to release 

equipment quickly.

    Rocket motors. Articles consisting of a solid, liquid, or hypergolic 

propellant contained in a cylinder fitted with one or more nozzles. They 

are designed to propel a rocket or guided missile. The term includes: 

rocket motors; rocket motors with hypergolic liquids with or without an 

expelling charge; and rocket motors, liquid fuelled.

    Rockets. Articles containing a rocket motor and a payload which may 

be an explosive warhead or other device. The term includes: guided 

missiles; rockets, line-throwing; rockets, liquid fuelled, with bursting 

charge; rockets, with bursting charge; rockets, with expelling charge; 

and rockets, with inert head.

    Signals. Articles consisting of pyrotechnic substances designed to 

produce signals by means of sound, flame, or smoke or any combination 

thereof. The term includes: signal devices, hand; signals, distress 

ship; signals, railway track, explosive; signals, smoke.

    Sounding devices, explosive. Articles consisting of a charge of 

detonating explosive. They are dropped from ships and function when they 

reach a predetermined depth or the sea bed.

    Substance, explosive, very insensitive (Substance, EVI) N.O.S. 

Substances which present a mass explosive hazard but which are so 

insensitive that there is very little probability of initiation, or of 

transition from burning to detonation under normal conditions of 

transport and which have passed test series 5.

    Torpedoes. Articles containing an explosive or non-explosive 

propulsion system and designed to be propelled through water. They may 

contain an inert head or warhead. The term includes: torpedoes, liquid 

fuelled, with inert head; torpedoes, liquid fuelled, with or without 

bursting charge; and torpedoes, with bursting charge.

    Tracers for ammunition. Sealed articles containing pyrotechnic 

substances, designed to reveal the trajectory of a projectile.

    Warheads. Articles containing detonating explosives, designed to be 

fitted to a rocket, guided missile, or torpedo. They may contain a 

burster or expelling charge or bursting charge. The term includes: 

warhead rocket with bursting charge; and warheads, torpedo, with 

bursting charge.



[Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52617 Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66267, 

Dec. 20, 1991; Amdt. 173-241, 59 FR 67492, Dec. 29, 1994; 64 FR 10777, 

Mar. 5, 1999; 66 FR 45379, Aug. 28, 2001]