Hazardous materials transportation: Safety advisories— Flammable gas torches,

[Federal Register: September 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 188)]

[Notices]

[Page 52573-52574]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr29se99-133]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-99-5143; Notice No. 99-9]

Hazardous Materials: Advisory Guidance; Transportation of Flammable Gas Torches

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Advisory Guidance.

SUMMARY: This advisory guidance is to remind all persons who travel or ship materials by aircraft that flammable gas torches are prohibited in passenger-checked or carry-on baggage and regulatory restrictions apply when flammable gas torches are offered as cargo for air transport. Recent incidents in which flammable gas torches ignited during transportation suggest that many persons are not aware of the requirements and prohibitions applicable to flammable gases and flame- producing devices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Nelson, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, RSPA, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001, Telephone (202) 366-8553, or William Wilkening, Dangerous Goods and Cargo Security Program, FAA, Department of Transportation, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591 Telephone (202) 267-7530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recent incidents involving micro-torches and larger torches in the air transport system highlight an urgent need to warn airline passengers not to pack flammable gas torches in their checked or carry-on baggage. In addition, persons offering these torches as cargo for transportation are subject to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) and must comply with all applicable requirements.

1. Background

   The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made RSPA aware of several recent incidents where flammable gas torches ignited during transportation that highlight the need to assure torches are transported in accordance with the requirements in the HMR, because of the risks posed by passengers carrying torches in their checked or carry-on baggage.

   On April 22, 1999, at Seattle Tacoma Airport, checked baggage was being transferred between connecting flights. Ramp personnel heard a popping sound coming from a soft-sided duffel bag, and then noted a burning smell and heat emanating from the bag. When the bag was opened, air carrier personnel discovered a compressed gas cylinder fitted with a self-igniting torch assembly, with the switch in the ``on'' position. The bag also contained a butane barbeque lighter, a one-quart can of flammable paint, and an eight-ounce can of flammable adhesive, which are all regulated materials.

   On April 1, 1999, at a cargo air carrier's sort facility in New York City, a box containing a cylinder charged with a flammable compressed gas caught fire. The electronic igniter on the torch head, which was attached to the gas cylinder, was discovered with its switch in the ``on'' position. Apparently, the package contents, which were loosely arranged, shifted enough to activate the trigger of the torch head, which ignited the gas, causing a flame that ignited the package.

   On February 21, 1999, at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport,

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   while a checked toolbox was being loaded into an aircraft, it exploded and injured two airline employees. One of the items in the toolbox was a butane torch equipped with a refillable gas canister. The passenger who checked the toolbox as baggage claimed that he completely emptied the canister by setting the lever to the open position for approximately four hours.

   On August 23, 1998, at Houston International Airport, a toolbox checked as baggage gave off a flame as it was being loaded aboard an aircraft. A micro-torch with a refillable gas canister was found inside the toolbox. The micro-torch lacked safety devices to prevent accidental ignition.

   On March 3, 1997, at Dulles International Airport, a small metal suitcase exploded while it was being loaded onto a conveyor belt. A ramp agent was struck in the head by fragments from the exploding suitcase and sustained minor injuries. The explosion appeared to have been caused by a charged butane micro-torch used for heating wax that is applied to skis.

   Based on these incidents, RSPA and the FAA are concerned that many people may not be fully aware of the provisions of the HMR pertaining to the transportation of torches and similar devices. Ignition of a torch and the subsequent risk of fire aboard an aircraft constitute a grave threat to transportation safety.

2. Requirements for the Transportation of Flammable Gas Torches

   Flammable gas torches may be designed in various configurations and differ in their intended use. However, all are forbidden to be carried aboard passenger-carrying aircraft as either checked or carry-on baggage. Butane, propane, and other flammable gases must be offered for transportation and transported in full compliance with the HMR.

   Micro-Torches

   Cigarette lighters or similar devices (such as mini-or micro- torches) equipped with an ignition element and containing gaseous fuel are regulated under the HMR as Lighters or Lighter refills and subject to the provisions of Secs. 173.21 and 173.308. Section 173.21 forbids the transportation of packages containing a cigarette lighter or similar device equipped with an ignition element and containing fuel, except that a cigarette lighter or a similar device may be shipped if the design of the device and its inner packaging has been examined by an approved laboratory, and specifically approved by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. Transportation regulations which apply to these devices include fuel capacity and filling limits, pressure capability of the device, and packaging restrictions. Devices containing a flammable gas must conform to the quantity limits and packaging requirements specified in Sec. 173.308.

   Larger Torches

   A flammable gas torch that includes as one of its components a cylinder charged with liquified butane or propane gas is regulated under the HMR as Liquified petroleum gas, UN 1075, and subject to the packaging requirements of Sec. 173.304. Flammable gases are forbidden on passenger-carrying aircraft. Flammable gases may be transported on cargo aircraft only if they are packaged, marked, and labeled, and otherwise conform to the requirements of the HMR. A torch head, many of which are self-igniting, may not be attached to the cylinder. In the above-described incidents, the owners of the torches did not remove the torch heads before packing them, which greatly increases the probability that the torch will activate and start a fire.

3. Reminder to Passengers, Cargo Offerors and Transporters

   Anyone who offers for transportation or transports torches is encouraged to carefully review the requirements in the HMR, to examine all shipping procedures, and, where necessary, take measures to prevent potential incidents in transportation. Passengers, shippers, and carriers are reminded that the offering for transportation or carriage aboard aircraft of any forbidden material in violation of the HMR may subject them to enforcement action, including the assessment of criminal or civil penalties.

   Additional information on the requirements for shipping torches may also be obtained by calling the RSPA Hazardous Materials Information Center at (800) HMR49-22 (467-4922) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, or the FAA Dangerous Goods and Cargo Security Program at (202) 267-7530. Information is also available at the following Internet sites: http:// hazmat.dot.gov/ and http://cas.faa.gov/cas/dgp.htm.

   Issued in Washington, DC, on September 24, 1999. Alan I. Roberts, Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.

   [FR Doc. 99-25318Filed9-28-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-60-P