49 CFR 172 Special Provisions – Numeric Codes

These provisions are multi-modal and apply to bulk and non-bulk packagings.
CodeDescription
148For domestic transportation, this entry directs to §173.66 for:
  • a. The standards for transporting a single bulk hazardous material for blasting by cargo tank motor vehicles (CTMV); and
  • The standards for CTMVs capable of transporting multiple hazardous materials for blasting in bulk and non-bulk packagings (i.e., a multipurpose bulk truck (MBT)).
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149When transported as a limited quantity or a consumer commodity, the maximum net capacity specified in §173.150(b)(2) of this subchapter for inner packagings may be increased to 5 L (1.3 gallons). Browse 149
150This description may be used only for uniform mixtures of fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate as the main ingredient within the following composition limits:
  • a. Not less than 90% ammonium nitrate with not more than 0.2% total combustible, organic material calculated as carbon, and with added matter, if any, that is inorganic and inert when in contact with ammonium nitrate; or
  • b. Less than 90% but more than 70% ammonium nitrate with other inorganic materials, or more than 80% but less than 90% ammonium nitrate mixed with calcium carbonate and/or dolomite and/or mineral calcium sulphate, and not more than 0.4% total combustible, organic material calculated as carbon; or
  • c. Ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers containing mixtures of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate with more than 45% but less than 70% ammonium nitrate, and not more than 0.4% total combustible, organic material calculated as carbon such that the sum of the percentage of compositions of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate exceeds 70%.
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151If this material meets the definition of a flammable liquid in §173.120 of this subchapter, a FLAMMABLE LIQUID label is also required and the basic description on the shipping paper must indicate the Class 3 subsidiary hazard. Browse 151
155Fish meal, fish scrap and krill meal may not be transported if the temperature at the time of loading either exceeds 35 °C (95 °F), or exceeds 5 °C (41 °F) above the ambient temperature, whichever is higher. Browse 155
156Asbestos that is immersed or fixed in a natural or artificial binder material, such as cement, plastic, asphalt, resins or mineral ore, or contained in manufactured products is not subject to the requirements of this subchapter. Browse 156
159This material must be protected from direct sunshine and kept in a cool, well-ventilated place away from sources of heat. Browse 159
160This entry applies to safety devices for vehicles, vessels or aircraft, e.g. air bag inflators, air bag modules, seat-belt pretensioners, and pyromechanical devices containing Class 1 (explosive) materials or materials of other hazard classes. These articles must be tested in accordance with Test series 6(c) of Part I of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (incorporated by reference; see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter), with no explosion of the device, no fragmentation of device casing or pressure vessel, and no projection hazard or thermal effect that would significantly hinder fire-fighting or other emergency response efforts in the immediate vicinity. If the air bag inflator unit satisfactorily passes the series 6(c) test, it is not necessary to repeat the test on the air bag module. This entry does not apply to life saving appliances described in Sec. 173.219 (UN2990 and UN3072).Browse 160
161 For domestic transport, air bag inflators, air bag modules or seat-belt pretensioners that meet the criteria for a Division 1.4G explosive must be transported using the description, “Articles, pyrotechnic for technical purposes,” UN0431. See §173.166(d)(1) of this subchapter for an exception regarding air bag inflators, air bag modules, or seat-belt pretensioners that are installed in a motor vehicle, aircraft, boat or other transport conveyance or its completed components, such as steering columns or door panels. Browse 161
162This material may be transported under the provisions of Division 4.1 only if it is packed so that at no time during transport will the percentage of diluent fall below the percentage that is stated in the shipping description. Browse 162
163Substances must satisfactorily pass Test Series 8 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part I, Section 18 (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter).Browse 163
164Substances must not be transported under this entry unless approved by the Associate Administrator on the basis of the results of appropriate tests according to Part I of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter). The material must be packaged so that the percentage of diluent does not fall below that stated in the approval at any time during transportation.Browse 164
165These substances are susceptible to exothermic decomposition at elevated temperatures. Decomposition can be initiated by heat, moisture or by impurities (e.g., powdered metals (iron, manganese, cobalt, magnesium)). During the course of transportation, these substances must be shaded from direct sunlight and all sources of heat and be placed in adequately ventilated areas.Browse 165
166When transported in non-friable tablet form, calcium hypochlorite, dry, may be transported as a Packing Group III material. Browse 166
167These storage systems must always be considered as containing hydrogen. A metal hydride storage system installed in or intended to be installed in a vehicle or equipment or in vehicle or equipment components must be approved for transport by the Associate Administrator. A copy of the approval must accompany each shipment.Browse 167
168For lighters containing a Division 2.1 gas (see §171.8 of this subchapter), representative samples of each new lighter design must be examined and successfully tested as specified in §173.308(b)(3). For criteria in determining what is a new lighter design, see §173.308(b)(1). For transportation of new lighter design samples for examination and testing, see §173.308(b)(2). The examination and testing of each lighter design must be performed by a person authorized by the Associate Administrator under the provisions of subpart E of part 107 of this chapter, as specified in §173.308(a)(4). For continued use of approvals dated prior to January 1, 2012, see §173.308(b)(5).
For non-pressurized lighters containing a Class 3 (flammable liquid) material, its design, description, and packaging must be approved by the Associate Administrator prior to being offered for transportation or transported in commerce. In addition, a lighter design intended to contain a non-pressurized Class 3 material is excepted from the examination and testing criteria specified in §173.308(b)(3). An unused lighter or a lighter that is cleaned of residue and purged of vapors is not subject to the requirements of this subchapter.
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169This entry applies to lighter refills (see §171.8 of this subchapter) that contain a Division 2.1 (flammable) gas but do not contain an ignition device. Lighter refills offered for transportation under this entry may not exceed 4 fluid ounces capacity (7.22 cubic inches) or contain more than 65 grams of fuel. A lighter refill exceeding 4 fluid ounces capacity (7.22 cubic inches) or containing more than 65 grams of fuel must be classed as a Division 2.1 material, described with the proper shipping name appropriate for the material, and packaged in the packaging specified in part 173 of this subchapter for the flammable gas contained therein. In addition, a container exceeding 4 fluid ounces volumetric capacity (7.22 cubic inches) or containing more than 65 grams of fuel may not be connected or manifolded to a lighter or similar device and must also be described and packaged according to the fuel contained therein. For transportation by passenger-carrying aircraft, the net mass of lighter refills may not exceed 1 kg per package, and, for cargo-only aircraft, the net mass of lighter refills may not exceed 15 kg per package. See §173.306(h) of this subchapter.Browse 169
170Air must be eliminated from the vapor space by nitrogen or other means.Browse 170
171This entry may only be used when the material is transported in non-friable tablet form or for granular or powered mixtures that have been shown to meet the PG III criteria in §173.127.Browse 171
172This entry includes alcohol mixtures containing up to 5% petroleum products.Browse 172
173For adhesives, printing inks, printing ink-related materials, paints, paint-related materials, and resin solutions which are assigned to UN3082, and do not meet the definition of another hazard class, metal or plastic packaging for substances of packing groups II and III in quantities of 5 L (1.3 gallons) or less per packaging are not required to meet the UN performance package testing when transported:
  • a. Except for transportation by aircraft, in palletized loads, a pallet box or unit load device (e.g. individual packaging placed or stacked and secured by strapping, shrink or stretch-wrapping or other suitable means to a pallet). For vessel transport, the palletized loads, pallet boxes or unit load devices must be firmly packed and secured in closed cargo transport units; or
  • b. Except for transportation by aircraft, as an inner packaging of a combination packaging with a maximum net mass of 40 kg (88 pounds). For transportation by aircraft, as an inner packaging of a combination packaging with a maximum gross mass of 30 kg when packaged as a limited quantity in accordance with §173.27(f).
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175This substance must be stabilized when in concentrations of not more than 99%.Browse 175
176This entry must be used for formaldehyde solutions containing methanol as a stabilizer. Formaldehyde solutions not containing methanol and not meeting the Class 3 flammable liquid criteria must be described using a different proper shipping name.Browse 176
177Gasoline, or, ethanol and gasoline mixtures, for use in internal combustion engines (e.g., in automobiles, stationary engines and other engines) must be assigned to Packing Group II regardless of variations in volatility.Browse 177
188Small lithium cells and batteries. Lithium cells or batteries, including cells or batteries packed with or contained in equipment, are not subject to any other requirements of this subchapter if they meet all of the following:
  • a. Primary lithium batteries and cells.
    • (1) Primary lithium batteries and cells are forbidden for transport aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. The outside of each package that contains primary (nonrechargeable) lithium batteries or cells must be marked “PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES—FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT” or “LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES—FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT” on a background of contrasting color. The letters in the marking must be:
      • (i) At least 12 mm (0.5 inch) in height on packages having a gross weight of more than 30 kg (66 pounds); or
      • (ii) At least 6 mm (0.25 inch) on packages having a gross weight of 30 kg (66 pounds) or less, except that smaller font may be used as necessary to fit package dimensions; and
    • (2) The provisions of paragraph (a)(1) do not apply to packages that contain 5 kg (11 pounds) net weight or less of primary lithium batteries or cells that are contained in or packed with equipment and the package contains no more than the number of lithium batteries or cells necessary to power the piece of equipment;
  • b. For a lithium metal or lithium alloy cell, the lithium content is not more than 1.0 g. For a lithium-ion cell, the equivalent lithium content is not more than 1.5 g;
  • c. For a lithium metal or lithium alloy battery, the aggregate lithium content is not more than 2.0 g. For a lithium-ion battery, the aggregate equivalent lithium content is not more than 8 g;
  • d. Effective October 1, 2009, the cell or battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR; see §171.7 of this subchapter);
  • e. Cells or batteries are separated or packaged in a manner to prevent short circuits and are packed in a strong outer packaging or are contained in equipment;
  • f. Effective October 1, 2008, except when contained in equipment, each package containing more than 24 lithium cells or 12 lithium batteries must be:
    • (1) Marked to indicate that it contains lithium batteries, and special procedures should be followed if the package is damaged;
    • (2) Accompanied by a document indicating that the package contains lithium batteries and special procedures should be followed if the package is damaged;
    • (3) Capable of withstanding a 1.2 meter drop test in any orientation without damage to cells or batteries contained in the package, without shifting of the contents that would allow short circuiting and without release of package contents; and
    • (4) Gross weight of the package may not exceed 30 kg (66 pounds). This requirement does not apply to lithium cells or batteries packed with equipment;
  • g. Electrical devices must conform to §173.21;
  • h. For transportation by aircraft, a telephone report in accordance with §171.15(a) is required if a fire, violent rupture, explosion or dangerous evolution of heat (i.e., an amount of heat sufficient to be dangerous to packaging or personal safety to include charring of packaging, melting of packaging, scorching of packaging, or other evidence) occurs as a direct result of a lithium battery. For all modes of transportation, a written report submitted, retained, and updated in accordance with §171.16 is required if a fire, violent rupture, explosion or dangerous evolution of heat occurs as a direct result of a lithium battery or battery-powered device; and
  • i. Lithium batteries or cells are not authorized aboard an aircraft in checked or carry-on luggage except as provided in §175.10.
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