Interpretation Response #98-0230 ([BOC Gases] [Mr. John N. Thompson])

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

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date: 10/06/1998

Company Name: BOC Gases

Individual Name: Mr. John N. Thompson

Location State: NJ Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

OCT 6, 1998

Mr. John N. Thompson                     Ref. No. 98-0230
Hazardous Materials Specialist
BOC Gases
600 Union Landing Road
Riverton, NJ 08077

Dear Mr. Thompson:

This is in response to your letter dated August 5, 1998, requesting clarification on the proper description of your gas mixtures under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR.; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you are requesting clarification on the proper shipping name and identification number for a mixture of anyone or more of the following gases: argon, helium, krypton, neon or xenon in oxygen. You ask whether the proper shipping name for your mixtures should be "rare gases and oxygen mixtures, compressed, UN 1980" or "compressed gas, oxidizing, nos, UN 3156" when the oxygen concentration is greater than 23.5%.

Section 172.101 requires that the closest name for the material compatible with the hazard class of the material be used. A mixture containing more than 23.5% oxygen is considered to be an oxidizing gas. Therefore, the proper shipping name, "compressed gas, oxidizing, nos, UN 315611 is more appropriate.

I hope this satisfies your inquiry.

Sincerely,

Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards

172.101 (R)

Regulation Sections