Glossary Shipping Lithium Batteries: Advanced General Awareness Training
Administrator
Administrator means the Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Adsorbed Gas
Adsorbed gas means a gas which when packaged for transport is adsorbed onto a solid porous material resulting in an internal receptacle pressure of less than 101.3 kPa at 20 °C and less than 300 kPa at 50 °C.
Aerosol
Aerosol means an article consisting of any non-refillable receptacle containing a gas compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure, the sole purpose of which is to expel a nonpoisonous (other than a Division 6.1 Packing Group III material) liquid, paste, or powder and fitted with a self-closing release device allowing the contents to be ejected by the gas.
Agricultural Product
Agricultural product means a hazardous material, other than a hazardous waste, whose end use directly supports the production of an agricultural commodity including, but not limited to a fertilizer, pesticide, soil amendment or fuel. An agricultural product is limited to a material in Class 3, 8 or 9, Division 2.1, 2.2, 5.1, or 6.1, or an ORM-D material.
Aircraft Battery
Aircraft battery means a battery designed in accordance with a recognized aircraft battery design standard (e.g., FAA technical standard order) that is capable of meeting all aircraft airworthiness requirements and operating regulations.
Approval
Approval means a written authorization, including a competent authority approval, issued by the Associate Administrator, the Associate Administrator's designee, or as otherwise prescribed in the HMR, to perform a function for which prior authorization by the Associate Administrator is required under Subchapter C of this chapter (49 CFR Parts 171 through 180).
Approved
Approved means approval issued or recognized by the Department unless otherwise specifically indicated in the HMR.
Asphyxiant Gas
Asphyxiant gas means a gas which dilutes or replaces oxygen normally in the atmosphere.
Associate Administrator
Associate Administrator means the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Atmospheric Gases
Atmospheric gases mean air, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, krypton, neon, and xenon.
Authorized Inspection Agency
Authorized Inspection Agency means:
- A jurisdiction which has adopted and administers one or more sections of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code as a legal requirement and has a representative serving as a member of the ASME Conference Committee; or
- An insurance company which has been licensed or registered by the appropriate authority of a State of the United States or a Province of Canada to underwrite boiler and pressure vessel insurance in such State or Province.
Authorized Inspector
Authorized Inspector means an Inspector who is currently commissioned by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors and employed as an Inspector by an Authorized Inspection Agency.
Bag
Bag means a flexible packaging made of paper, plastic film, textiles, woven material, or other similar materials.
Bar
Bar means 1 BAR = 100 kPa (14.5 psi).
Barge
Barge means a non-self-propelled vessel.
Biological Product
Refer to §173.134(a)(2) of the HMR.
Biological Substances, Category B
Refer to §173.134(a)(ii) of the HMR.
Bottle
Bottle means an inner packaging having a neck of relatively smaller cross section than the body and an opening capable of holding a closure for retention of the contents.
Bottom Shell
Bottom shell means that portion of a tank car tank surface, excluding the head ends of the tank car tank, that lies within two feet, measured circumferentially, of the bottom longitudinal center line of the tank car tank.
Box
Box means a packaging with complete rectangular or polygonal faces, made of metal, wood, plywood, reconstituted wood, fiberboard, plastic, or other suitable material. Holes appropriate to the size and use of the packaging, for purposes such as ease of handling or opening, or to meet classification requirements, are permitted as long as they do not compromise the integrity of the packaging during transportation and are not otherwise prohibited in the HMR.
Break-Bulk
Break-bulk means packages of hazardous materials that are handled individually, palletized, or unitized for purposes of transportation as opposed to bulk and containerized freight.
BTU
An abbreviation that stands for “British thermal unit.”
Bulk Packaging
Bulk packaging means a packaging, other than a vessel or a barge, including a transport vehicle or freight container, in which hazardous materials are loaded with no intermediate form of containment. A Large Packaging in which hazardous materials are loaded with an intermediate form of containment, such as one or more articles or inner packagings, is also a bulk packaging. Additionally, a bulk packaging has:
- A maximum capacity greater than 450 L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a liquid;
- A maximum net mass greater than 400 kg (882 pounds) and a maximum capacity greater than 450 L (119 gallons) as a receptacle for a solid; or
- A water capacity greater than 454 kg (1000 pounds) as a receptacle for a gas as defined in §173.115 of the HMR.
Bundle of Cylinders
Bundle of cylinders means assemblies of UN cylinders fastened together and interconnected by a manifold and transported as a unit. The total water capacity for the bundle may not exceed 3,000 L, except that a bundle intended for the transport of gases in Division 2.3 is limited to a water capacity of 1,000 L. Not permitted for air transport.
Bureau of Explosives
Bureau of Explosives means the Bureau of Explosives (B of E) of the Association of American Railroads.
C
An abbreviation that stands for “Celsius or Centigrade.”
Cantline
Cantline means the v-shaped groove between two abutting, parallel horizontal cylinders.
Captain of the Port (COTP)
Captain of the Port (COTP) means the officer of the Coast Guard, under the command of a District Commander, so designated by the Commandant for the purpose of giving immediate direction to Coast Guard law enforcement activities within an assigned area. As used in the HMR, the term Captain of the Port includes an authorized representative of the Captain of the Port.
Carfloat
Carfloat means a vessel that operates on a short run on an irregular basis and serves one or more points in a port area as an extension of a rail line or highway over water, and does not operate in ocean, coastwise, or ferry service.
Cargo Aircraft Only
Cargo aircraft only means an aircraft that is used to transport cargo and is not engaged in carrying passengers. For purposes of the HMR, the terms cargo aircraft only, cargo-only aircraft, and cargo aircraft have the same meaning.
Cargo Net
Cargo net means a net made of fiber or wire used to provide convenience in handling loose or packaged cargo to and from a vessel.
Cargo Tank
Cargo tank means a bulk packaging that:
- Is a tank intended primarily for the carriage of liquids or gases and includes appurtenances, reinforcements, fittings, and closures (for the definition of a tank, see 49 CFR 178.320, 178.337-1, or 178.338-1, as applicable);
- Is permanently attached to or forms a part of a motor vehicle, or is not permanently attached to a motor vehicle but which, by reason of its size, construction or attachment to a motor vehicle is loaded or unloaded without being removed from the motor vehicle; and
- Is not fabricated under a specification for cylinders, intermediate bulk containers, multi-unit tank car tanks, portable tanks, or tank cars.
Cargo Tank Motor Vehicle
Cargo tank motor vehicle means a motor vehicle with one or more cargo tanks permanently attached to or forming an integral part of the motor vehicle.
Cargo Transport Unit
Cargo transport unit means a transport vehicle, a freight container, a portable tank, or a multiple element gas container (MEGC). A closed cargo transport unit means a cargo transport unit in which the contents are totally enclosed by permanent structures. An open cargo transport unit means a cargo transport unit that is not a closed cargo transport unit. Cargo transport units with fabric sides or tops are not closed cargo transport units for the purposes of this part.
Cargo Vessel
Cargo vessel means:
- Any vessel other than a passenger vessel;and
- Any ferry being operated under authority of a change of character certificate issued by a Coast Guard Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection.
Carrier
Carrier means a person who transports passengers or property in commerce by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle, or vessel.
CC
An abbreviation that stands for “Closed-Cup.”
Character of Vessel
Character of vessel means the type of service in which the vessel is engaged at the time of carriage of a hazardous material.
Class
Class means hazard class. See hazard class.
Class 1
Refer to §173.50 of the HMR.
Class 2
Refer to §173.115 of the HMR.
Class 3
Refer to §173.120 of the HMR.
Class 4
Refer to §173.124 of the HMR.
Class 5
Refer to §173.128 of the HMR
Class 6
Refer to §173.132 of the HMR.
Class 7
Refer to §173.403 of the HMR.
Class 8
Refer to §173.136 of the HMR.
Class 9
Refer to §173.140 of the HMR.
Clear of Living Quarters
Clear of living quarters means that the hazardous material must be located so that in the event of release of the material, leakage or vapors will not penetrate accommodations, machinery spaces or other work areas by means of entrances or other openings in bulkheads or ventilation ducts.
Closed Cargo Transport Unit for Class 1 (Explosive) Materials
Closed cargo transport unit for Class 1 (explosive) materials means a freight container or transport vehicle that fully encloses the contents by permanent structures and can be secured to the ship's structure and are, except for the carriage of division 1.4 explosives, structurally serviceable (see §176.172). Portable magazines conforming to §176.137 are also considered closed cargo transport units for Class 1. Small compartments such as deck houses and mast lockers are included. Cargo transport units with fabric sides or tops are not closed cargo transport units. The floor of any closed cargo transport unit must either be constructed of wood, close-boarded or so arranged that goods are stowed on sparred gratings, wooden pallets or dunnage.
Closed Freight Container
Closed freight container means a freight container which totally encloses its contents by permanent structures. A freight container formed partly by a tarpaulin, plastic sheet, or similar material is not a closed freight container.
Closed Transport Vehicle for Radioactive Materials
Closed transport vehicle means a transport vehicle or conveyance equipped with a securely attached exterior enclosure that during normal transportation restricts the access of unauthorized persons to the cargo space containing the Class 7 (radioactive) materials. The enclosure may be either temporary or permanent, and in the case of packaged materials may be of the “see-through” type, and must limit access from top, sides, and bottom.
Closure
Closure means a device which closes an opening in a receptacle.
COFC
An abbreviation that stands for “Container-On-Flat-Car.”
Combination Packaging
Combination packaging means a combination of packaging, for transport purposes, consisting of one or more inner packagings secured in a non-bulk outer packaging. It does not include a composite packaging.
Combustible Liquid
Refer to §173.120 of the HMR.
Commandant (CG-522), USCG
Commandant (CG-522), USCG means the Chief, Office of Operating and Environmental Standards, United States Coast Guard, Washington, DC 20593-0001.
Commerce
Commerce means trade or transportation in the jurisdiction of the United States within a single state; between a place in a state and a place outside of the state; that affects trade or transportation between a place in a state and place outside of the state; or on a United States-registered aircraft.
Compartment
Compartment means any space on a vessel that is enclosed by the vessel's decks and its sides or permanent steel bulkheads.
Compatibility Group Letter
Compatibility group letter means a designated alphabetical letter used to categorize different types of explosive substances and articles for purposes of stowage and segregation. See §173.52 of the HMR.
Competent Authority
Competent Authority means a national agency responsible under its national law for the control or regulation of a particular aspect of the transportation of hazardous materials (dangerous goods). The term Appropriate Authority, as used in the ICAO Technical Instructions (IBR, see §171.7), has the same meaning as Competent Authority. For purposes of the HMR, the Associate Administrator is the Competent Authority for the United States.
Compressed Gas
Refer to §173.115 of the HMR.
Consignee
Consignee means the person or place shown on a shipping document, package marking, or other media as the location to which a carrier is directed to transport a hazardous material.
Consumer Commodity
Consumer commodity means a material that is packaged and distributed in a form intended or suitable for sale through retail sales agencies or instrumentalities for consumption by individuals for purposes of personal care or household use. This term also includes drugs and medicines.
Container Ship
Container ship means a cargo vessel designed and constructed to transport, within specifically designed cells, portable tanks and freight containers which are lifted on and off with their contents intact.
Corrosive Material
Refer to §173.136 of the HMR.
Crate
Crate means an outer packaging with incomplete surfaces.
Crewmember
Crewmember means a person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft during flight time.
Criticality Safety Index (CSI)
Criticality Safety Index (CSI) means a number (rounded up to the next tenth) which is used to provide control over the accumulation of packages, overpacks or freight containers containing fissile material. The CSI for a package containing fissile material is determined in accordance with the instructions provided in 10 CFR 71.22, 71.23, and 71.59. The CSI for an overpack, freight container, consignment or conveyance containing fissile material packages is the arithmetic sum of the criticality safety indices of all the fissile material packages contained within the overpack, freight container, consignment or conveyance.
Cryogenic Liquid
Refer to §173.115(g) of the HMR.
Cultures and Stocks
Refer to §173.134 of the HMR.
Cylinder
Cylinder means a pressure vessel designed for pressures higher than 40 PSIA and having a circular cross section. It does not include a portable tank, multi-unit tank car tank, cargo tank, or tank car.
Composite Packaging
Composite packaging means a packaging consisting of an outer packaging and an inner receptacle, so constructed that the inner receptacle and the outer packaging form an integral packaging. Once assembled it remains thereafter an integrated single unit; it is filled, stored, shipped and emptied as such.
Dangerous When Wet Material
Refer to §173.124 of the HMR.
Department
Department refers to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Deck Structure
Deck structure means a structure of substantial weight and size located on the weather deck of a vessel and integral with the deck. This term includes superstructures, deck houses, mast houses, and bridge structures.
Design Certifying Engineer
Design Certifying Engineer means a person registered with the Department in accordance with Subpart F of Part 107 of this chapter who has the knowledge and ability to perform stress analysis of pressure vessels and otherwise determine whether a cargo tank design and construction meets the applicable DOT specification. A Design Certifying Engineer meets the knowledge and ability requirements of this section by meeting any one of the following requirements:
- Has an engineering degree and one year of work experience in cargo tank structural or mechanical design;
- Is currently registered as a professional engineer by appropriate authority of a state of the United States or a province of Canada; or
- Has at least three years' experience in performing the duties of a Design Certifying Engineer prior to September 1, 1991.
Design Life
sign life, for composite cylinders and tubes, means the maximum life (in number of years) to which the cylinder or tube is designed and approved in accordance with the applicable standard.
Designated Facility
Designated facility means a hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility that has been designated on the manifest by the generator.
Display Pack
Display pack means a package intended to be placed at retail locations which provide direct customer access to consumer commodities contained within the package when all or part of the outer fiberboard packaging is removed.
District Commander
District Commander means the District Commander of the Coast Guard, or his authorized representative, who has jurisdiction in the particular geographical area.
Division
Division means a subdivision of a hazard class.
DOD
An abbreviation that stands for the “U.S. Department of Defense.”
Domestic Transportation
Domestic transportation means transportation between places within the United States other than through a foreign country.
Domestic Transportation
Domestic transportation means transportation between places within the United States other than through a foreign country.
DOT
An abbreviation that stands for the “U.S. Department of Transportation.”
Draft
Draft means a load or combination of loads capable of being hoisted into or out of a vessel in a single lift.
Drum
Drum means a flat-ended or convex-ended cylindrical packaging made of metal, fiberboard, plastic, plywood, or other suitable materials. This definition also includes packagings of other shapes made of metal or plastic (e.g., round taper-necked packagings or pail-shaped packagings) but does not include cylinders, jerricans, wooden barrels or bulk packagings.
Dunnage
Dunnage means lumber of not less than 25 mm (0.98 inch) commercial thickness or equivalent material laid over or against structures such as tank tops, decks, bulkheads, frames, plating, or ladders, or used for filling voids or fitting around cargo, to prevent damage during transportation.
Dump Scow
Dump scows are barges having cargo carrying compartments of the hopper type and fitted with a bottom dump or a side dump. This type of barge is prohibited from the carriage of any class of hazardous material.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Electronic data interchange (EDI) means the computer-to-computer exchange of business data in standard formats. In EDI, information is organized according to a specific format (electronic transmission protocol) agreed upon by the sender and receiver of this information and transmitted through a computer transaction that requires no human intervention or retyping at either end of the transmission.
Elevated Temperature Material
Elevated temperature material means a material which, when offered for transportation or transported in a bulk packaging:
- Is in a liquid phase and at a temperature at or above 100 °C (212 °F);
- Is in a liquid phase with a flash point at or above 38 °C (100 °F) that is intentionally heated and offered for transportation or transported at or above its flash point; or
- Is in a solid phase and at a temperature at or above 240 °C (464 °F).
Engine
Engine means a locomotive propelled by any form of energy and used by a railroad.
Empty Packages
Refer to §173.428 of the HMR.
EPA
An abbreviation that stands for the “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”
Etiologic Agent
Refer to §173.134 of the HMR.
EX
EX number means a number preceded by the prefix “EX”, assigned by the Associate Administrator, to an item that has been evaluated under the provisions of §173.56 of the HMR.
Exclusive Use
Exclusive use means sole use by a single consignor of a conveyance for which all initial, intermediate, and final loading and unloading and shipment are carried out in accordance with the direction of the consignor or consignee where required by the HMR. The consignor and the carrier must ensure that any loading or unloading is performed by personnel having radiological training and resources appropriate for safe handling of the consignment. The consignor must provide to the initial carrier specific written instructions for maintenance of exclusive use shipment controls, including the vehicle survey requirement of §173.443(c) as applicable and include these instructions with the shipping paper information provided to the carrier by the consignor.
Explosive
Refer to §173.50 of the HMR.
Explosives Anchorage
Explosives anchorage means an anchorage so designated under 33 CFR Part 110 Subpart B.
Explosive Article
Explosive article means an article or device that contains one or more explosive substances. Individual explosive substances are identified in Column 17 of the Dangerous Goods List in the IMDG Code (IBR, see §171.7 of the HMR)..
Explosives Handling Facility
Explosives handling facility means—
- A “designated waterfront facility” designated under 33 CFR Part 126 when loading, handling, and unloading Class 1 (explosives) materials; or
- A facility for loading, unloading, and handling military Class 1 (explosives) materials which is operated or controlled by an agency of the Department of Defense.
Explosive Substance
Explosive substance means a solid or liquid material, or a mixture of materials, which is in itself capable by chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to its surroundings. Individual explosive substances are identified in Column 17 of the Dangerous Goods List in the IMDG Code.
F
An abbreviation that stands for “Degree Fahrenheit.”
Farmer
Farmer means a person engaged in the production or raising of crops, poultry, or livestock.
FC Number
FC number means a number preceded by the prefix “FC”, assigned by a Fireworks Certification Agency to a Division 1.4G Consumer firework device that has been certified under the provisions of §173.65 of the HMR.
Federal Hazardous Material Transportation L
Federal hazardous material transportation law means 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.
Ferry Vessel
Ferry vessel means a vessel which is limited in its use to the carriage of deck passengers or vehicles or both, operates on a short run on a frequent schedule between two points over the most direct water route, other than in ocean or coastwise service, and is offered as a public service of a type normally attributed to a bridge or tunnel.
Filling Density
Filling density has the following meanings:
- For compressed gases in cylinders, see §173.304a(a)(2) table note 1.
- For compressed gases in tank cars, see §173.314(c) table note 1.
- For compressed gases in cargo tanks and portable tanks, see §173.315(a) table note 1.
- For cryogenic liquids in cylinders, except hydrogen, see §173.316(c)(1).
- For hydrogen, cryogenic liquid in cylinders, see §173.316(c)(3) table note 1.
- For cryogenic liquids in cargo tanks, see §173.318(f)(1).
- For cryogenic liquids in tank cars, see §173.319(d)(1).
Fissile Material
Fissile material means plutonium-239, plutonium-241, uranium-233, uranium-235, or any combination of these radionuclides. Fissile material means the fissile nuclides themselves, not material containing fissile nuclides, but does not include: Unirradiated natural uranium or depleted uranium; and natural uranium or depleted uranium that has been irradiated in thermal reactors only. Certain exceptions for fissile materials are provided in §173.453 of the HMR.
Flammable Gas
Refer to §173.115 of the HMR.
Flammable Liquid
Refer to §173.120 of the HMR.
Flammable Solid
Refer to §173.124 of the HMR.
Flexible Bulk Container
Flexible bulk container means a flexible container with a capacity not exceeding 15 cubic meters and includes liners and attached handling devices and service equipment.
Flash Point
Refer to §173.120 of the HMR.
Freight Container
Freight container means a reusable container having a volume of 64 cubic feet or more, designed and constructed to permit being lifted with its contents intact and intended primarily for containment of packages (in unit form) during transportation.
Fuel Cell
Fuel cell means an electrochemical device that converts the energy of the chemical reaction between a fuel, such as hydrogen or hydrogen rich gases, alcohols, or hydrocarbons, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to direct current (d.c.) power, heat, and other reaction products.
Fuel Cell Cartridge or Fuel Cartridge
Fuel cell cartridge or fuel cartridge means an article that stores fuel for discharge into the fuel cell through a valve(s) that controls the discharge of fuel into the fuel cell.
Fuel Cell System
Fuel cell system means a fuel cell with an installed fuel cell cartridge together with wiring, valves, and other attachments that connect the fuel cell or cartridge to the device it powers. The fuel cell or cartridge may be so constructed that it forms an integral part of the device or may be removed and connected manually to the device.
Fuel Tank
Fuel tank means a tank other than a cargo tank, used to transport flammable or combustible liquid, or compressed gas for the purpose of supplying fuel for propulsion of the transport vehicle to which it is attached, or for the operation of other equipment on the transport vehicle.
Fumigated Lading
Refer to §§172.302(g) and 173.9 of the HMR.
Freight Container
Freight container means a reusable container having a volume of 64 cubic feet or more, designed and constructed to permit being lifted with its contents intact and intended primarily for containment of packages (in unit form) during transportation.
Gas
Gas means a material which has a vapor pressure greater than 300 kPa (43.5 psia) at 50 °C (122 °F) or is completely gaseous at 20 °C (68 °F) at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (14.7 PSIA).
Gross Weight or Gross Mass
Gross weight or Gross mass means the weight of a packaging plus the weight of its contents.
Handling
Handling means the operation of loading and unloading a vessel; transfer to, from, or within a vessel, and any ancillary operations.
Hazard Class
Hazard class means the category of hazard assigned to a hazardous material under the definitional criteria of Part 173 of the HMR and the provisions of the §172.101 table. A material may meet the defining criteria for more than one hazard class but is assigned to only one hazard class.
Hazard Zone
Hazard zone means one of four levels of hazard (Hazard Zones A through D) assigned to gases, as specified in §173.116(a) of the HMR, and one of two levels of hazards (Hazard Zones A and B) assigned to liquids that are poisonous by inhalation, as specified in §173.133(a) of the HMR. A hazard zone is based on the LC50 value for acute inhalation toxicity of gases and vapors, as specified in §173.133(a).
Hazardous Material
Hazardous material means a substance or material that the Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and has designated as hazardous under section 5103 of Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5103). The term includes hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials, materials designated as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Table (see 49 CFR 172.101), and materials that meet the defining criteria for hazard classes and divisions in part 173 of the HMR.
Hazardous Substance
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste, for the purposes of this chapter, means any material that is subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specified in 40 CFR Part 262.
Hazmat
An acronym that stands for “Hazardous Material.”
Hazmat Employee
Hazmat Employer
Hermetically Sealed
Hermetically sealed means closed by fusion, gasketing, crimping, or equivalent means so that no gas or vapor can enter or escape.
High-Hazard Flammable Train (HHFT)
High-hazard flammable train (HHFT) means a single train transporting 20 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid in a continuous block or a single train carrying 35 or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid throughout the train consist.
Highway Route-Controlled Quantity
Highway route-controlled quantity means a quantity within a single package which exceeds:
- 3,000 times the A1 value of the radionuclides as specified in §173.435 for special form Class 7 (radioactive) material;
- 3,000 times the A2 value of the radionuclides as specified in §173.435 for normal form Class 7(radioactive) material; or
- 1,000 TBq (27,000 Ci), whichever is least.
Hold
Hold means a compartment below deck that is used exclusively for the carriage of cargo.
HMR
Household waste means any solid waste (including garbage, trash, and sanitary waste from septic tanks) derived from households (including single and multiple residences, hotels and motels, bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds, and day-use recreation areas). This term is not applicable to consolidated shipments of household hazardous materials transported from collection centers. A collection center is a central location where household waste is collected. An abbreviation that stands for the “Hazardous Materials Regulations,” 49 CFR Parts 171 through 180.
IAEA
An abbreviation that stands for “International Atomic Energy Agency.”
IAEA
An abbreviation that stands for “International Air Transport Association.”
ICAO
An abbreviation that stands for “International Civil Aviation Organization.”
ICAO
An abbreviation that stands for “International Maritime Organization.”
Improvised Explosive Device
An improvised explosive device is a device fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating explosives or destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals in its design, and generally includes a power supply, a switch or timer, and a detonator or initiator.
In Containers or the Like
In containers or the like means any clean, substantial, weatherproof box structure which can be secured to the vessel's structure, including a portable magazine or a closed cargo transport unit. Whenever this stowage is specified, stowage in deckhouses, mast lockers and oversized weatherproof packages (overpacks) is also acceptable.
Incompatible Materials
Incompatible materials mean two materials whose stowage together may result in undue hazards in the case of leakage, spillage, or other accident.
Incorporated by Reference or IBR
Incorporated by reference or IBR means a publication or a portion of a publication that is made a part of the regulations of the HMR. See §171.7.
INF Cargo
INF cargo means packaged irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium or high-level radioactive wastes as those terms are defined in the “International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes on Board Ships” (INF Code) contained in the IMDG Code.
Infectious Substance (Etiologic Agent)
Refer to §173.134 of the HMR.
Inner Packaging
Inner packaging means a packaging for which an outer packaging is required for transport. It does not include the inner receptacle of a composite packaging.
Inner Receptacle
Inner receptacle means a receptacle which requires an outer packaging in order to perform its containment function. The inner receptacle may be an inner packaging of a combination packaging or the inner receptacle of a composite packaging.
Intermediate Bulk Container or IBC
Intermediate bulk container or IBC means a rigid or flexible portable packaging, other than a cylinder or portable tank, which is designed for mechanical handling. Standards for IBCs manufactured in the United States are set forth in Subparts N and O of Part 178 of the HMR.
Intermodal Container
Intermodal container means a freight container designed and constructed to permit it to be used interchangeably in two or more modes of transport.
Intermodal Portable Tank or IM Portable Tank
Intermodal portable tank or IM portable tank means a specific class of portable tanks designed primarily for international intermodal use.
International transportation
International transportation means transportation—
- Between any place in the United States and any place in a foreign country;
- Between places in the United States through a foreign country; or
- Between places in one or more foreign countries through the United States.
Intrinsically Safe
Intrinsically safe equipment or device is designed such that it is incapable of producing sufficient heat or sparks to ignite a hazardous atmosphere.
Irritating Material
Irritating material means material with properties similar to tear gas, which causes extreme irritation, especially in confined spaces.
Intermediate Packaging
Intermediate packaging means a packaging which encloses an inner packaging or article and is itself enclosed in an outer packaging.
Jerrican
Jerrican means a metal or plastic packaging of rectangular or polygonal cross-section.
Labels
Labels are standard hazmat identifiers that are printed on or affixed to packages, packaging, or overpacks. Labels communicate important information about the hazards associated with transportation of potentially hazardous materials to personnel who handle these packages, as well as to first responders in the event of an emergency.
Landing Mat
Landing mat means a shock absorbing pad used in loading Class 1 (explosive) materials on vessels.
Large Packaging
Large packaging means a packaging that:
- Consists of an outer packaging that contains articles or inner packagings;
- Is designated for mechanical handling;
- Exceeds 400 kg net mass or 450 liters (118.9 gallons) capacity;
- Has a volume of not more than 3 cubic meters (m3) (see §178.801(i) of the HMR; and
- Conforms to the requirements for the construction, testing and marking of Large Packagings as specified in Subparts P and Q of Part 178 of the HMR.
Large Salvage Packaging
Large salvage packaging means a special packaging into which damaged, defective, leaking, or non-conforming hazardous materials packages, or hazardous materials that have spilled or leaked are placed for the purpose of transport for recovery or disposal, that—
- Is designed for mechanical handling; and
- Has a net mass greater than 400 kg (882 pounds) or a capacity of greater than 450 L (119 gallons) but has a volume of not more than 3 cubic meters (106 cubic feet).
Limited Quantity
Limited quantity, when specified as such in a section applicable to a particular material, means the maximum amount of a hazardous material for which there is a specific labeling or packaging exception.
Lighter
Lighter means a mechanically operated flame-producing device employing an ignition device and containing a Class 3 or a Division 2.1 material. For design, capacity, and filling density requirements for lighters containing a Division 2.1 material, see §173.308 of the HMR
Lighter Refill
Lighter refill means a pressurized container that does not contain an ignition device but does contain a release device and is intended for use as a replacement cartridge in a lighter or to refill a lighter with a Division 2.1 flammable gas fuel. For capacity limits, see §173.306(h) of the HMR.
Liquid
Liquid means a material, other than an elevated temperature material, with a melting point or initial melting point of 20 °C (68 °F) or lower at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (14.7 PSIA). A viscous material for which a specific melting point cannot be determined must be subjected to the procedures specified in ASTM D 4359 “Standard Test Method for Determining Whether a Material is Liquid or Solid” (IBR, see §171.7 of the HMR).
Liquid Phase
Liquid phase means a material that meets the definition of liquid when evaluated at the higher of the temperature at which it is offered for transportation or at which it is transported, not at the 38 °C (100 °F) temperature specified in ASTM D 4359 (IBR, see §171.7 of the HMR).
Lithium-Ion Cell or Battery
Lithium-ion cell or battery means a rechargeable electrochemical cell or battery in which the positive and negative electrodes are both lithium compounds constructed with no metallic lithium in either electrode. A lithium-ion polymer cell or battery that uses lithium-ion chemistries, as described herein, is regulated as a lithium-ion cell or battery.
Lithium Metal Cell or Battery
Lithium metal cell or battery means an electrochemical cell or battery utilizing lithium metal or lithium alloys as the anode. The lithium content of a lithium metal or lithium alloy cell or battery is measured when the cell or battery is in an undischarged state. The lithium content of a lithium metal or lithium alloy battery is the sum of the grams of lithium content contained in the component cells of the battery.
Loading Incidental to Movement
Loading incidental to movement means loading by carrier personnel or in the presence of carrier personnel of packaged or containerized hazardous material onto a transport vehicle, aircraft, or vessel for the purpose of transporting it, including the loading, blocking, and bracing a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle, and segregating a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle from incompatible cargo. For a bulk packaging, loading incidental to movement means filling the packaging with a hazardous material for the purpose of transporting it. Loading incidental to movement includes transloading.
Low Specific Activity Material
Low specific activity material refers to any radioactive material which is uniformly dispersed throughout a substance to such an extent that it poses little hazard even if released in an accident. More information can be found in §173.403 of the HMR.
Machinery Spaces of Category A
Machinery Spaces of Category A are those spaces, and trunks to such spaces, which contain:
- Internal combustion machinery used for main propulsion:
- Internal combustion machinery used for purposes other than main propulsion where such machinery has in the aggregate a total power output of not less than 375 kw; or
- any oil-fired boiler or fuel unit.
Magazine
Magazine means an enclosure designed to protect certain goods of Class 1 (explosive) materials from damage by other cargo and adverse weather conditions during loading, unloading, and when in transit; and to prevent unauthorized access. A magazine may be a fixed structure or compartment in the vessel, a closed freight container, a closed transport vehicle, or a portable magazine. Magazines may be positioned in any part of the ship conforming with the relevant provisions for Class 1 (explosive) materials contained in Subpart G of this part provided that magazines which are fixed structures are sited so that their doors, where fitted, are easily accessible.
Magazine Vessel
Magazine vessel means a vessel used for the receiving, storing, or dispensing of explosives.
Magnetic Material
Magnetic material means any package which has a magnetic field of more than 0.00525 gauss measured at 4.5 m (15 feet) from any surface of the package for carriage by aircraft.
Master of the Vessel
Master of the Vessel, as used in this part, includes the person in charge of an unmanned vessel or barge.
Marine Pollutant
Marine pollutant, means a material which is listed in Appendix B to §172.101 of the HMR (also see §171.4), and when in a solution or mixture of one or more marine pollutants, is packaged in a concentration which equals or exceeds:
- Ten percent by weight of the solution or mixture for materials listed in the appendix; or
- One percent by weight of the solution or mixture for materials that are identified as severe marine pollutants in the appendix.
Marking
Marking means a descriptive name, identification number, instructions, cautions, weight, specification, or UN marks, or combinations thereof, required by the HMR on outer packaging of hazardous materials.
Material of Trade
Material of trade means a hazardous material, other than a hazardous waste, that is carried on a motor vehicle—
- For the purpose of protecting the health and safety of the motor vehicle operator or passengers;
- For the purpose of supporting the operation or maintenance of a motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment); or
- By a private motor carrier (including vehicles operated by a rail carrier) in direct support of a principal business that is other than transportation by motor vehicle.
Material Poisonous by Inhalation or Material Toxic by Inhalation
Material poisonous by inhalation or Material toxic by inhalation means:
- A gas meeting the defining criteria in §173.115(c) of the HMR and assigned to Hazard Zone A, B, C, or D in accordance with §173.116(a) of the HMR;
- A liquid (other than as a mist) meeting the defining criteria in §173.132(a)(1)(iii) of the HMR and assigned to Hazard Zone A or B in accordance with §173.133(a) of the HMR; or
- Any material identified as an inhalation hazard by a special provision in Column 7 of the §172.101 table.
Maximum Allowable Working Pressure or MAWP
Maximum allowable working pressure or MAWP: For DOT specification cargo tanks used to transport liquid hazardous materials, see §178.320(a) of the HMR.
Maximum Capacity
Maximum capacity means the maximum inner volume of receptacles or packagings.
Maximum Net Mass
Maximum net mass means the allowable maximum net mass of contents in a single packaging, or as used in Subpart M of Part 178 of the HMR, the maximum combined mass of inner packaging, and the contents thereof.
Mechanical Displacement Meter Prover
Mechanical displacement meter prover means a mechanical device used in the oilfield service industry consisting of a pipe assembly that is used to calibrate the accuracy and performance of meters that measure the quantities of a product being pumped or transferred at facilities such as drilling locations, refineries, tank farms, and loading racks.
Metered Delivery Service
Metered delivery service means a cargo tank unloading operation conducted at a metered flow rate of 378.5 L (100 gallons) per minute or less through an attached delivery hose with a nominal inside diameter of 3.175 cm (11⁄4 inches) or less.
Metal Hydride Storage System
Metal hydride storage system means a single complete hydrogen storage system that includes a receptacle, metal hydride, pressure relief device, shut-off valve, service equipment and internal components used for the transportation of hydrogen only.
Miscellaneous Hazardous Material (Class 9)
Refer to §173.140 of the HMR.
Mixture
Mixture means a material composed of more than one chemical compound or element.
Mode
Mode means any of the following transportation methods; rail, highway, air, or water.
Motor Vehicle
Motor vehicle includes a vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semitrailer, or any combination thereof, propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used upon the highways in the transportation of passengers or property. It does not include a vehicle, locomotive, or car operated exclusively on a rail or rails, or a trolley bus operated by electric power derived from a fixed overhead wire, furnishing local passenger transportation similar to street-railway service.
Movement
Movement means the physical transfer of a hazardous material from one geographic location to another by rail car, aircraft, motor vehicle, or vessel.
Multiple-Element Gas Container or MEGC
Multiple-element gas container or MEGC means assemblies of UN cylinders, tubes, or bundles of cylinders interconnected by a manifold and assembled within a framework. The term includes all service equipment and structural equipment necessary for the transport of gases.
Name of Contents
Name of contents means the proper shipping name as specified in §172.101 of the HMR.
Navigable waters
Navigable waters mean waters of the United States, including the territorial seas.
Net Quantity
Net quantity means the total weight of the hazardous material, excluding the tare weight of the package.
Neutron Radiation Detector
Neutron Radiation Detector means a device that detects neutron radiation. In such a device, a gas may be contained in a hermetically sealed electron tube transducer that converts neutron radiation into a measurable electric signal.
Non-Bulk Packaging
Non-bulk packaging means a packaging which has:
- A maximum capacity of 450 L (119 gallons) or less as a receptacle for a liquid;
- A maximum net mass of 400 kg (882 pounds) or less and a maximum capacity of 450 L (119 gallons) or less as a receptacle for a solid;
- A water capacity of 454 kg (1000 pounds) or less as a receptacle for a gas as defined in §173.115 of the HMR; or
- Regardless of the definition of bulk packaging, a maximum net mass of 400 kg (882 pounds) or less for a bag or a box conforming to the applicable requirements for specification packagings, including the maximum net mass limitations, provided in Subpart L of Part 178 of the HMR.
Non-Flammable Gas
N.O.S.
An abbreviation that stands for “Not Otherwise Specified.”
N.O.S. Description
N.O.S. description means a shipping description from the §172.101 table which includes the abbreviation n.o.s.
NPT
NPT means an American Standard taper pipe thread conforming to the requirements of NBS Handbook H-28 (IBR, see §171.7).
NRC (Non-Reusable Container)
NRC (non-reusable container) means a packaging (container) whose reuse is restricted in accordance with the provisions of §173.28 of the HMR.
Occupied Caboose
Occupied caboose means a rail car being used to transport non-passenger personnel.
Officer In Charge, Marine Inspection
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection means a person from the civilian or military branch of the Coast Guard designated as such by the Commandant and who under the supervision and direction of the Coast Guard District Commander is in charge of a designated inspection zone for the performance of duties with respect to the enforcement and administration of title 52, Revised Statutes, acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto, rules and regulations thereunder, and the inspection required thereby.
Offshore Supply Vessel
Offshore supply vessel means a cargo vessel of less than 500 gross tons that regularly transports goods, supplies or equipment in support of exploration or production of offshore mineral or energy resources.
Open Cryogenic Receptacle
Open cryogenic receptacle means a transportable thermally insulated receptacle for refrigerated liquefied gases maintained at atmospheric pressure by continuous venting of the refrigerated gas.
Open Freight Container
Open freight container means a freight container that does not totally enclose its contents by permanent structures.
Operator
Operator means a person who controls the use of an aircraft, vessel, or vehicle.
Organic peroxide
Refer to §173.128 of the HMR.
ORM
An abbreviation that stands for “Other Regulated Material.” Refer to §173.144 of the HMR.
Other Regulated Material
Until December 31, 2020 and for the purposes of the HMR, “ORM-D material” means a material such as a Consumer commodity, Cartridges, small arms, Cartridges, power devices (used to project fastening devices), Cartridges for tools, blank, and Cases, cartridge, empty with primer, which, although otherwise subject to the regulations of this subchapter, presents a limited hazard during transportation due to its form, quantity, and packaging. The article or substance must be a material for which exceptions are provided in Column (8A) of the §172.101 Hazardous Materials Table.
OSHA
An acronym that stands for “Occupational Safety and Health Administration.”
Outage or Ullage
Outage or ullage means the amount by which a packaging falls short of being liquid full, usually expressed in percent by volume.
Outer Packaging
Outer packaging means the outermost enclosure of a composite or combination packaging together with any absorbent materials, cushioning and any other components necessary to contain and protect inner receptacles or inner packagings.
Overpack
Overpack, except as provided in Subpart K of Part 178 of the HMR, means an enclosure that is used by a single consignor to provide protection or convenience in handling of a package or to consolidate two or more packages. Overpack does not include a transport vehicle, freight container, or aircraft unit load device. Examples of overpacks are one or more packages:
- Placed or stacked onto a load board such as a pallet and secured by strapping, shrink wrapping, stretch wrapping, or other suitable means; or
- Placed in a protective outer packaging such as a box or crate.
Overstowed
Overstowed means a package or container is stowed directly on top of another. However, with regard to Class 1 (explosive) stowage, such goods may themselves be stacked to a safe level, but other goods should not be stowed directly on top of them.
Oxidizer
Refer to §173.127 of the HMR.
Oxidizing Gas
Oxidizing gas means a gas which may, generally by providing oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air does. Specifically, this means a pure gas or gas mixture with an oxidizing power greater than 23.5% as determined by a method specified in ISO 10156: or 10156-2: (IBR, see §171.7 of the HMR) (see also §173.115(k)).
Oxygen Generator (Chemical)
Oxygen generator (chemical) means a device containing chemicals that upon activation release oxygen as a product of chemical reaction.
Package or Outside Package
Package or Outside Package means a packaging plus its contents. For radioactive materials, see §173.403 of the HMR.
Packaging
Packaging means a receptacle and any other components or materials necessary for the receptacle to perform its containment function in conformance with the minimum packing requirements of the HMR. For radioactive materials packaging, see §173.403 of the HMR.
Packing Group
Packing group means a grouping according to the degree of danger presented by hazardous materials. Packing Group I indicates great danger; Packing Group II, medium danger; Packing Group III, minor danger. See §172.101(f) of the HMR.
Pallet
Pallet means a portable platform for stowing, handling, and moving cargo.
Palletized Unit
Palletized unit means packages or unpackaged objects stacked on a pallet, banded and secured to the pallet by metal, fabric, or plastic straps for the purpose of handling as a single unit.
Passenger
Passenger (with respect to vessels and for the purposes of Part 176 only) means a person being carried on a vessel other than:
- The owner or his representative;
- The operator;
- A bona fide member of the crew engaged in the business of the vessel who has contributed no consideration for his carriage and who is paid for his services; or
- A guest who has not contributed any consideration directly or indirectly for his carriage.
Passenger-Carrying Aircraft
Passenger-carrying aircraft means an aircraft that carries any person other than a crewmember, company employee, an authorized representative of the United States, or a person accompanying the shipment.
Passenger Vessel
Passenger vessel means:
- A vessel subject to any of the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, which carries more than 12 passengers;
- A cargo vessel documented under the laws of the United States and not subject to that Convention, which carries more than 16 passengers;
- A cargo vessel of any foreign nation that extends reciprocal privileges and is not subject to that Convention and which carries more than 16 passengers; and
- A vessel engaged in a ferry operation and which carries passengers.
Patient Specimens
Patient specimens means those collected directly from humans or animals and transported for research, diagnosis, investigational activities, or disease treatment or prevention. Patient specimens includes excreta, secreta, blood and its components, tissue and tissue swabs, body parts, and specimens in transport media (e.g., transwabs, culture media, and blood culture bottles).
Person
Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company; or a government, Indian Tribe, or authority of a government or Tribe, that offers a hazardous material for transportation in commerce, transports a hazardous material to support a commercial enterprise, or designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, marks, maintains, reconditions, repairs, or tests a package, container, or packaging component that is represented, marked, certified, or sold as qualified for use in transporting hazardous material in commerce. This term does not include the United States Postal Service or, for purposes of 49 U.S.C. 5123 and 5124, a Department, agency, or instrumentality of the government.
Person Who Offers or Offeror
Person who offers or offeror means:
- Any person who does either or both of the following:
- Performs, or is responsible for performing, any pre-transportation function required under the HMR for transportation of the hazardous material in commerce.
- Tenders or makes the hazardous material available to a carrier for transportation in commerce.
- A carrier is not an offeror when it performs a function required by the HMR as a condition of acceptance of a hazardous material for transportation in commerce (e.g., reviewing shipping papers, examining packages to ensure that they are in conformance with the HMR, or preparing shipping documentation for its own use) or when it transfers a hazardous material to another carrier for continued transportation in commerce without performing a pre-transportation function.
PHMSA
An abbreviation that stands for the “Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590.”
Pie Plate
Pie plate means a round, oval, or hexagonal pallet without sideboards, used in conjunction with a cargo net to handle loose cargo on board a vessel.
Placards
Placards are standard hazmat identifiers placed on outer containers, trucks, cylinders, or other vehicles used for transportation. Placards communicate vital information about the hazards associated with transportation of potentially hazardous materials.
Placarded Car
Placarded car means a rail car which is placarded in accordance with the requirements of Part 172 of the HMR.
Poisonous Gas
Refer to §173.115 of the HMR.
Poisonous Material
Refer to §173.132 of the HMR.
Portable Magazine
Portable magazine means a strong, closed, prefabricated, steel or wooden, closed box or container, other than a freight container, designed and used to handle Class 1 (explosive) materials either by hand or mechanical means.
Portable Tank
Portable tank means a bulk packaging (except a cylinder having a water capacity of 1000 pounds or less) designed primarily to be loaded onto, or on, or temporarily attached to a transport vehicle or ship and equipped with skids, mountings, or accessories to facilitate handling of the tank by mechanical means. It does not include a cargo tank, tank car, multi-unit tank car tank, or trailer carrying 3AX, 3AAX, or 3T cylinders.
Potential or Possible Sources of Ignition
Potential or possible sources of ignition means, but is not limited to, open fires, machinery exhausts, galley uptakes, electrical outlets and electrical equipment including those on refrigerated or heated cargo transport units unless they are of a type designed to operate in a hazardous environment.
Preferred Route or Preferred Highway
Preferred route or Preferred highway is a highway for shipment of highway route-controlled quantities of radioactive materials so designated by a State routing agency, and any Interstate System highway for which an alternative highway has not been designated by such State agency as provided by 49 CFR §397.103.
Pre-Transportation Function
Pre-transportation function means a function specified in the HMR that is required to assure the safe transportation of a hazardous material in commerce, including—
- Determining the hazard class of a hazardous material.
- Selecting a hazardous materials packaging.
- Filling a hazardous materials packaging, including a bulk packaging.
- Securing a closure on a filled or partially filled hazardous materials package or container or on a package or container containing a residue of a hazardous material.
- Marking a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous material.
- Labeling a package to indicate that it contains a hazardous material.
- Preparing a shipping paper.
- Providing and maintaining emergency response information.
- Reviewing a shipping paper to verify compliance with the HMR or international equivalents.
- For each person importing a hazardous material into the United States, providing the shipper with timely and complete information as to the HMR requirements that will apply to the transportation of the material within the United States.
- Certifying that a hazardous material is in proper condition for transportation in conformance with the requirements of the HMR.
- Loading, blocking, and bracing a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle.
- Segregating a hazardous materials package in a freight container or transport vehicle from incompatible cargo.
- Selecting, providing, or affixing placards for a freight container or transport vehicle to indicate that it contains a hazardous material.
Primary Hazard
Primary hazard means the hazard class of a material as assigned in the §172.101 table.
Private Track or Private Siding
Private track or Private siding means:
- Track located outside of a carrier's right-of-way, yard, or terminals where the carrier does not own the rails, ties, roadbed, or right-of-way, or
- Track leased by a railroad to a lessee, where the lease provides for, and actual practice entails, exclusive use of that trackage by the lessee and/or a general system railroad for purpose of moving only cars shipped to or by the lessee, and where the lessor otherwise exercises no control over or responsibility for the trackage or the cars on the trackage.
Proper Shipping Name
Proper shipping name means the name of the hazardous material shown in Roman print (not italics) in §172.101 of the HMR.
Protected from Sources of Heat
Protected from sources of heat means that packages and cargo transport units must be stowed at least 2.4 m from heated ship structures, where the surface temperature is liable to exceed 131 °F (55 °C). Examples of heated structures are steam pipes, heating coils, top or side walls of heated fuel and cargo tanks, and bulkheads of machinery spaces. In addition, packages not loaded inside a cargo transport unit and stowed on deck must be shaded from direct sunlight. The surface of a cargo transport unit can heat rapidly when in direct sunlight in nearly windless conditions and the cargo may also become heated. Depending on the nature of the goods in the cargo transport unit, and the planned voyage, precautions must be taken to ensure that exposure to direct sunlight is reduced.
Psi
An abbreviation that stands for “pounds per square inch.”
Psia
An abbreviation that stands for “pounds per square inch.”
Psig
An abbreviation that stands for “pounds per square inch gauge.
Public Vessel
Public vessel means a vessel owned by and being used in the public service of the United States. It does not include a vessel owned by the United States and engaged in a trade or commercial service or a vessel under contract or charter to the United States.
Pyrophoric Liquid
Refer to §173.124(b) of the HMR.
Pyrotechnic Material
Pyrotechnic material means a chemical mixture used in the entertainment industry to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation.
American Pyrotechnics Association. (n.d.). Glossary of Pyrotechnic Terms. Website.
https://www.americanpyro.com/glossary-of-pyrotechnic-terms#:~:text=Pyrotechnic%20Device%20Any%20device%20containing,combustion%2C%20deflagration%2C%20or%20detonation.
Radiation Detection System
Radiation detection system means an apparatus that contains radiation detectors as components.
Radiation Level
Radiation level means the radiation dose-equivalent rate expressed in millisieverts per hour or mSv/h (millirems per hour or mrem/h). More information can be found in §173.403 of the HMR.
Radiation Level
Radiation level means the radiation dose-equivalent rate expressed in millisieverts per hour or mSv/h (millirems per hour or mrem/h). More information can be found in §173.403 of the HMR.
Radioactive Material
Radioactive material means any material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and the total activity in the consignment exceed the values specified in the table in §173.436 or values derived according to the instructions in §173.433 of the HMR.
Rail Car
Rail car means a car designed to carry freight or non-passenger personnel by rail, and includes a box car, flat car, gondola car, hopper car, tank car, and occupied caboose.
Railroad
Railroad means a person engaged in transportation by rail.
Readily Combustible Material
Readily combustible material means a material which may or may not be classed as a hazardous material, but which is easily ignited and supports combustion. Examples of readily combustible materials include wood, paper, straw, vegetable fibers, products made from such materials, coal, lubricants, and oils. This definition does not apply to packaging material or dunnage.
Receptacle
Receptacle means a containment vessel for receiving and holding materials, including any means of closing.
Reconditioned Packaging
Refer to §173.28 of the HMR
Registered Inspector
Registered Inspector means a person registered with the Department in accordance with Subpart F of 49 CFR Part 107 who has the knowledge and ability to determine whether a cargo tank conforms to the applicable DOT specification. A Registered Inspector meets the knowledge and ability requirements of this section by meeting any one of the following requirements:
- Has an engineering degree and one year of work experience relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks;
- Has an associate degree in engineering and two years of work experience relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks;
- Has a high school diploma (or General Equivalency Diploma) and three years of work experience relating to the testing and inspection of cargo tanks; or
- Has at least three years' experience performing the duties of a Registered Inspector prior to September 1, 1991.
Regulated Medical Waste
Regulated medical waste or clinical waste or (bio) medical waste means a waste or reusable material derived from the medical treatment of an animal or human, which includes diagnosis and immunization, or from biomedical research, which includes the production and testing of biological products. Regulated medical waste or clinical waste or (bio) medical waste containing a Category A infectious substance must be classed as an infectious substance, and assigned to UN2814 or UN2900, as appropriate.
Remanufactured Packagings
Refer to §173.28 of the HMR.
Reportable Quantity (RQ)
Reportable quantity (RQ) means the quantity specified in Column 2 of the Appendix to §172.101 for any material identified in Column 1 of the Appendix.
Research
Research means investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery of new theories or laws and the discovery and interpretation of facts or revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts. Research does not include the application of existing technology to industrial endeavors.
Residue
Residue means the hazardous material remaining in a packaging, including a tank car, after its contents have been unloaded to the maximum extent practicable and before the packaging is either refilled or cleaned of hazardous material and purged to remove any hazardous vapors.
Responsible Person
Responsible person means a person empowered by the master of the vessel to make all decisions relating to his or her specific task and having the necessary knowledge and experience for that purpose.
Reused Packaging
Refer to §173.28 of the HMR.
Reverse Logistics
Reverse logistics means the process of offering for transport or transporting by motor vehicle goods from a retail store for return to its manufacturer, supplier, or distribution facility for the purpose of capturing value (e.g., to receive manufacturer's credit), recall, replacement, recycling, or similar reason. This definition does not include materials that meet the definition of a hazardous waste as defined in this section.
SADT
An abbreviation that stands for “Self-Accelerated Decomposition Temperature.” See §173.21(f) of the HMR. This definition will be effective until January 2, 2019.
Safe Working Load
Safe working load means the maximum gross weight that cargo handling equipment is approved to lift.
Salvage Packaging
Salvage packaging means a special packaging conforming to §173.3 of the HMR into which damaged, defective, leaking, or non-conforming hazardous materials packages, or hazardous materials that have spilled or leaked, are placed for purposes of transport for recovery or disposal.
SAPT
An abbreviation that stands for “Self-Accelerated Polymerization Temperature.”
SCF (Standard Cubic Foot)
SCF (standard cubic foot) means one cubic foot of gas measured at 60 °F. and 14.7 psia.
Secretary
Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.
Self-Defense Spray
Self-defense spray means an aerosol or non-pressurized device that:
- Is intended to have an irritating or incapacitating effect on a person or animal; and
- Meets no hazard criteria other than for Class 9 (for example, a pepper spray; see §173.140(a) of the HMR) and, for an aerosol, Division 2.1 or 2.2 (see §173.115 of the HMR), except that it may contain no more than two percent by mass of a tear gas substance (e.g., chloroacetophenone (CN) or 0-chlorobenzylmalonitrile (CS); see §173.132(a)(2) of the HMR).
Service Life
Service life, for composite cylinders and tubes, means the number of years the cylinder or tube is permitted to be in service.
Settled Pressure
Settled pressure means the pressure exerted by the contents of a UN pressure receptacle in thermal and diffusive equilibrium.
Sharps
Sharps means any object contaminated with a pathogen or that may become contaminated with a pathogen through handling or during transportation and also capable of cutting or penetrating skin or a packaging material. Sharps includes needles, syringes, scalpels, broken glass, culture slides, culture dishes, broken capillary tubes, broken rigid plastic, and exposed ends of dental wires.
Shipper
Shipper means a person who offers hazardous materials for transportation and is responsible for packaging and preparing the materials for transportation.
Shipping Paper
Shipping paper means a shipping order, bill of lading, manifest or other shipping document serving a similar purpose and prepared in accordance with Subpart C of Part 172 of the HMR.
Short Circuit
Short circuit means a direct connection between positive and negative terminals of a cell or battery that provides an abnormally low resistance path for current flow.
Siftproof Packaging
Siftproof packaging means a packaging impermeable to dry contents, including fine solid material produced during transportation.
Single Packaging
Single packaging means a non-bulk packaging other than a combination packaging.
Skilled Person
Skilled person means a person having the knowledge and experience to perform a certain duty.
Skipboard
Skipboard means a square or rectangular pallet without sideboards, usually used in conjunction with a cargo net to handle loose cargo on board a vessel.
Solid
Solid means a material which is not a gas or a liquid.
Solution
Solution means any homogeneous liquid mixture of two or more chemical compounds or elements that will not undergo any segregation under conditions normal to transportation.
Sour Crude Oil
Refer to §173.327 of the HMR.
Special Permit
Special permit means a document issued by the Associate Administrator, the Associate Administrator's designee, or as otherwise prescribed in the HMR, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 5117 permitting a person to perform a function that is not otherwise permitted under subchapter A or C of this chapter, or other regulations issued under 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. (e.g., Federal Motor Carrier Safety routing requirements).
Specification Packaging
Specification packaging means a packaging conforming to one of the specifications or standards for packagings in Part 178 or Part 179 of the HMR.
Splice
Splice as used in §176.172 of this part, means any repair of a freight container main structural member which replaces material, other than complete replacement of the member.
Spontaneously Combustible Material
Refer to §173.124(b) of the HMR.
Stabilized
Stabilized means that the hazardous material is in a condition that precludes uncontrolled reaction. This may be achieved by methods such as adding an inhibiting chemical, degassing the hazardous material to remove dissolved oxygen and inerting the air space in the package, or maintaining the hazardous material under temperature control.
State
State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, or any other territory or possession of the United States designated by the Secretary.
State-Designated Route
State-designated route means a preferred route selected in accordance with U.S. DOT “Guidelines for Selecting Preferred Highway Routes for Highway Route Controlled Quantities of Radioactive Materials” or an equivalent routing analysis which adequately considers overall risk to the public.
Storage Incidental to Movement
Stowage
Stowage means the act of placing hazardous materials on board a vessel.
Strong Outer Packaging
Strong outer packaging means the outermost enclosure that provides protection against the unintentional release of its contents. It is a packaging that is sturdy, durable, and constructed so that it will retain its contents under normal conditions of transportation. In addition, a strong outer packaging must meet the general packaging requirements of Subpart B of Part 173 of the HMR but need not comply with the specification packaging requirements in Part 178 of the HMR. For transport by aircraft, a strong outer packaging is subject to §173.27 of the HMR. The terms “strong outside container” and “strong outside packaging” are synonymous with “strong outer packaging.”
Subsidiary Hazard
Subsidiary hazard means a hazard of a material other than the primary hazard. See primary hazard above.
Surface Contaminated Object (SCO)
Surface contaminated object (SCO) means a solid object which is not itself radioactive, but which has radioactive material distributed on its surface. SCO exists in two phases:
- SCO-I
- SCO-II
Table in §172.101 or §172.101 Table
Table in §172.101 or §172.101 table means the Hazardous Materials Table in §172.101 of the HMR.
Technical Name
Technical name means a recognized chemical name or microbiological name currently used in scientific and technical handbooks, journals, and texts. Generic descriptions are authorized for use as technical names, provided they readily identify the general chemical group, or microbiological group. Examples of acceptable generic chemical descriptions are organic phosphate compounds, petroleum aliphatic hydrocarbons and tertiary amines. For proficiency testing only, generic microbiological descriptions such as bacteria, mycobacteria, fungus, and viral samples may be used. Except for names which appear in Subpart B of Part 172 of the HMR, trade names may not be used as technical names.
TOFC
An abbreviation that stands for “Trailer-On-Flat-Car.”
Top Shell
Top shell means the tank car tank surface, excluding the head ends and bottom shell of the tank car tank.
Toxin
Toxin means a Division 6.1 material from a plant, animal, or bacterial source. A toxin containing an infectious substance, or a toxin contained in an infectious substance must be classed as Division 6.2, described as an infectious substance, and assigned to UN 2814 or UN 2900, as appropriate.
Trailership
Trailership means a vessel, other than a carfloat, specifically equipped to carry motor transport vehicles and fitted with installed securing devices to tie down each vehicle. The term trailership includes Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) vessels.
Train
Train means one or more engines coupled with one or more rail cars, except during switching operations or where the operation is that of classifying and assembling rail cars within a railroad yard for the purpose of making or breaking up trains.
Train Consist
Train consist means a written record of the contents and location of each rail car in a train.
Trainship
Trainship means a vessel other than a rail car ferry or carfloat, specifically equipped to transport railroad vehicles, and fitted with installed securing devices to tie down each vehicle.
Transloading
Transloading means the transfer of a hazardous material by any person from one bulk packaging to another bulk packaging, from a bulk packaging to a non-bulk packaging, or from a non-bulk packaging to a bulk packaging for the purpose of continuing the movement of the hazardous material in commerce.
Transport Index
Transport index (TI) means the dimensionless number (rounded up to the next tenth) placed on the label of a package, to designate the degree of control to be exercised by the carrier during transportation. The transport index is determined by multiplying the maximum radiation level in millisieverts (mSv) per hour at 1 m (3.3 ft) from the external surface of the package by 100 (equivalent to the maximum radiation level in millirem per hour at 1 m (3.3 ft)).
Transport Vehicle
Transport vehicle means a cargo-carrying vehicle such as an automobile, van, tractor, truck, semitrailer, tank car or rail car used for the transportation of cargo by any mode. Each cargo-carrying body (trailer, rail car, etc.) is a separate transport vehicle.
Transportation or Transport
Transportation or transport means the movement of property and loading, unloading, or storage incidental to that movement.
Tray
Tray means a type of pallet constructed to specific dimensions for handling a particular load.
UFC
An abbreviation that stands for “Uniform Freight Classification.”
UFC
An abbreviation that stands for “Uniform Freight Classification.”
UN
An abbreviation that stands for “United Nations.”
UN Cylinder
UN cylinder means a transportable pressure receptacle with a water capacity not exceeding 150 L that has been marked and certified as conforming to the applicable requirements in Part 178 of the HMR.
UN Portable Tank
UN portable tank means an intermodal tank having a capacity of more than 450 liters (118.9 gallons). It includes a shell fitted with service equipment and structural equipment, including stabilizing members external to the shell and skids, mountings, or accessories to facilitate mechanical handling. A UN portable tank must be capable of being filled and discharged without the removal of its structural equipment and must be capable of being lifted when full. Cargo tanks, rail tank car tanks, non-metallic tanks, non-specification tanks, bulk bins, and IBCs and packagings made to cylinder specifications are not UN portable tanks.
UN Pressure Drum
UN pressure drum means a welded transportable pressure receptacle of a water capacity exceeding 150 L (39.6 gallons) and not more than 1,000 L (264.2 gallons) (e.g., cylindrical receptacles equipped with rolling hoops, spheres on skids).
UN Pressure Receptacle
UN pressure receptacle means a UN cylinder, drum, or tube.
UN Recommendations
UN Recommendations means the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations (IBR, see §171.7 of the HMR).
UN Standard Packaging
UN standard packaging means a packaging conforming to standards in the UN Recommendations (IBR, see §171.7 of the HMR).
UN Tube
UN tube means a transportable pressure receptacle of seamless or composite construction having with a water capacity exceeding 150 L (39.6 gallons) but not more than 3,000 L (792.5 gallons) that has been marked and certified as conforming to the requirements in Part 178 of the HMR.
Undeclared Hazardous Material
Undeclared hazardous material means a hazardous material that is:
- Subject to any of the hazard communication requirements in Subparts C (Shipping Papers), D (Marking), E (Labeling), and F (Placarding) of Part 172 of the HMR, or an alternative marking requirement in Part 173 the HMR (such as §173.4(a)(10) and §173.6(c)); and
- Offered for transportation in commerce without any visible indication to the person accepting the hazardous material for transportation that a hazardous material is present, on either an accompanying shipping document, or the outside of a transport vehicle, freight container, or package.
Unintentional Release
Unintentional release means the escape of a hazardous material from a package on an occasion not anticipated or planned. This includes releases resulting from collision, package failures, human error, criminal activity, negligence, improper packing, or unusual conditions such as the operation of pressure relief devices as a result of over-pressurization, overfill or fire exposure. It does not include releases, such as venting of packages, where allowed, and the operational discharge of contents from packages.
Unit Load Device
Unit load device means any type of freight container, aircraft container, aircraft pallet with a net, or aircraft pallet with a net over an igloo.
United States
United States means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, or any other territory or possession of the United States designated by the Secretary.
Unloading Incidental to Movement
Unloading incidental to movement means removing a packaged or containerized hazardous material from a transport vehicle, aircraft, or vessel, or for a bulk packaging, emptying a hazardous material from the bulk packaging after the hazardous material has been delivered to the consignee when performed by carrier personnel or in the presence of carrier personnel or, in the case of a private motor carrier, while the driver of the motor vehicle from which the hazardous material is being unloaded immediately after movement is completed is present during the unloading operation. (Emptying a hazardous material from a bulk packaging while the packaging is on board a vessel is subject to separate regulations as delegated by Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1 at 2(103).) Unloading incidental to movement includes transloading.
Used Health Care Products
Used health care product means a medical, diagnostic, or research device or piece of equipment, or a personal care product used by consumers, medical professionals, or pharmaceutical providers that does not meet the definition of a patient specimen, biological product, or regulated medical waste, is contaminated with potentially infectious body fluids or materials, and is not decontaminated or disinfected to remove or mitigate the infectious hazard prior to transportation.
Vessel
Vessel includes every description of watercraft, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.
Viscous Liquid
Viscous liquid means a liquid material which has a measured viscosity in excess of 2500 centistokes at 25 °C. (77 °F.) when determined in accordance with the procedures specified in ASTM Method D 445-72 “Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)” or ASTM Method D 1200-70 “Viscosity of Paints, Varnishes, and Lacquers by Ford Viscosity Cup.”
Volatility
Volatility refers to the relative rate of evaporation of materials to assume the vapor state.
Waste Material
Waste material means, for the purposes of lab pack requirements in §173.12 of the HMR, all hazardous materials which are destined for disposal or recovery, and not so limited to only those defined as a hazardous waste in this section.
Water Reactive Material
Refer to §173.124(c) of the HMR.
Water Resistant
Water resistant means having a degree of resistance to permeability by and damage caused by water in liquid form.
Watt-Hour (Wh)
Watt-hour (Wh) means a unit of energy equivalent to one watt (1 W) of work acting for one hour (1 h) of time. The Watt-hour rating of a lithium-ion cell or battery is determined by multiplying the rated capacity of a cell or battery in ampere-hours, by its nominal voltage. Therefore, Watt-hour (Wh) = ampere-hour (Ah) × volts (V).
Wooden Barrel
Wooden barrel means a packaging made of natural wood, of round cross-section, having convex walls, consisting of staves and heads, and fitted with hoops.
W.T.
An abbreviation that stands for “Watertight.”