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Interpretation Response #07-0192 ([Alaska Airlines, Inc. SEADG] [Mr. Mike Tobin, CHMM])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name: Alaska Airlines, Inc. SEADG

Individual Name: Mr. Mike Tobin, CHMM

Location State: WA Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

Nov 27, 2007

Mr. Mike Tobin, CHMM

Manager Dangerous Goods

Alaska Airlines, Inc. SEADG

P.O. Box 68900

Seattle, WA 98168

Ref. No.: 07-0192

Dear Mr. Tobin:

This responds to your September 26, 2007 letter requesting clarification of the requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the transportation of batteries by aircraft as company material (COMAT).  Specifically, you ask whether shipments of COMAT batteries are subject to the quantity limitations and accessibility requirements specified in §175.75 of the HMR.

As noted in your letter, the requirements applicable to the transportation of operator equipment and items of replacement were revised and placed in new §175.8 in a final rule published on March 22, 2006, under Docket HM-228.  Section 175.8(a)(3)(ii) specifies that aircraft batteries are not subject to quantity limitations. This section provides two section references as examples of quantity limitations that do not apply to the transportation of aircraft batteries.  One of the section references, to §175.75(a), is incorrect; the correct reference is §175.75(c).  This error has now been corrected in a final rule under Docket HM-244, entitled "Minor Editorial Corrections and Clarifications" published on October 1, 2007 (72 FR 55678).  Note, however, that the inclusion of the section references is not intended to limit the exception from quantity limitation authorized in §175.8(a)(3)(ii). Aircraft batteries are excepted from any quantity limitations, including the limits on the quantity of hazardous materials that may be loaded in an inaccessible manner specified in §175.75(c).

Thank you for bringing this error to our attention.  I hope this answers your inquiry.

Sincerely,

John A. Gale

Chief, Standards Development

Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

175.75

Regulation Sections