[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR173.159]
[Page 500-502]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
PART 173--SHIPPERS--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS--Table of Contents
Subpart E--Non-bulk Packaging for Hazardous Materials Other Than Class 1
and Class 7
Sec. 173.159 Batteries, wet.
(a) Electric storage batteries, containing electrolyte acid or
alkaline corrosive battery fluid, must be completely protected so that
short circuits will be prevented; they may not be packed with other
materials except as provided in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section
and in Secs. 173.220 and 173.222.
(b) The following specification packagings are authorized for
batteries packed without other materials:
(1) 4C1, 4C2, 4D, or 4F wooden boxes.
(2) 4G fiberboard boxes.
(3) 1D plywood drums.
(4) 1G fiber drums.
(5) 1H2 and 3H2 plastic drums and jerricans.
(6) 4H2 plastic boxes.
(c) The following non-specification packagings are authorized for
batteries packed without other materials:
(1) Electric storage batteries protected against short circuits and
firmly secured to skids or pallets capable of withstanding the shocks
normally incident to transportation, are authorized for transportation
by rail, highway, or water. The height of the completed unit must not
exceed 1\1/2\ times the width of the skid or pallet. The unit must be
capable of withstanding, without damage, a superimposed weight equal to
two times the weight of the unit or, if the weight of the unit exceeds
907 kg (2000 pounds), a superimposed weight of 1814 kg (4000 pounds).
Battery terminals must not be relied upon to support any part of the
superimposed weight.
(2) Electric storage batteries weighing 225 kg (500 pounds) or more,
consisting of carriers' equipment, may be shipped by rail when mounted
on suitable skids and protected against short circuits. Such shipments
may not be offered in interchange service.
(3) One to three batteries not over 11.3 kg (25 pounds) each, packed
in outer boxes. The maximum authorized gross weight is 34 kg (75
pounds).
(4) Not more than four batteries not over 7 kg (15 pounds) each,
packed in strong outer fiberboard or wooden boxes. Batteries must be
securely cushioned and packed to prevent short circuits. The maximum
authorized gross weight is 30 kg (65 pounds).
(5) Not more than five batteries not over 4.5 kg (10 pounds) each,
packed in strong outer fiberboard or wooden boxes. Batteries must be
securely cushioned and packed to prevent short circuits. The maximum
authorized gross weight is 30 kg (65 pounds).
(6) Single batteries not exceeding 34 kg (75 pounds) each, packed in
5-sided slip covers or in completely closed fiberboard boxes. Slip
covers and boxes must be of solid or double-faced corrugated fiberboard
of at least 91 kg (200
[[Page 501]]
pounds) Mullen test strength. The slip cover or fiberboard box must fit
snugly and provide inside top clearance of at least 1.3 cm (0.5 inch)
above battery terminals and filler caps with reinforcement in place.
Assembled for shipment, the bottom edges of the slipcover must come to
within 2.5 cm (1 inch) of the bottom of the battery. The completed
package (battery and box or slip cover) must be capable of withstanding
a top-to-bottom compression test of at least 225 kg (500 pounds) without
damage to battery terminals, cell covers or filler caps.
(7) Single batteries exceeding 34 kg (75 pounds) each may be packed
in completely closed fiberboard boxes. Boxes must be of double-wall
corrugated fiberboard of at least 181 kg (400 pounds) test, or solid
fiberboard testing at least 181 kg (400 pounds); a box may have hand
holes in its ends provided that the handholes will not materially weaken
the box. Sides and ends of the box must have cushioning between the
battery and walls of the box; combined thickness of cushioning material
and walls of the box must not be less than 1.3 cm (0.5 inch); and
cushioning must be excelsior pads, corrugated fiberboard, or other
suitable cushioning material. The bottom of the battery must be
protected by a minimum of one excelsior or double-wall corrugated
fiberboard pad. The top of the battery must be protected by a wood
frame, corrugated trays or scored sheets of corrugated fiberboard having
minimum test of 91 kg (200 pounds), or other equally effective
cushioning material. Top protection must bear evenly on connectors and/
or edges of the battery cover to facilitate stacking of batteries. No
more than one battery may be placed in one box. The maximum authorized
gross weight is 91 kg (200 pounds).
(d) A nonspillable wet electric storage battery is excepted from all
other requirements of this subchapter under the following conditions:
(1) The battery must be protected against short circuits and
securely packaged;
(2) For batteries manufactured after September 30, 1995, the battery
and the outer packaging must be plainly and durably marked
``NONSPILLABLE'' or ``NONSPILLABLE BATTERY''; and
(3) The battery must be capable of withstanding the following two
tests, without leakage of battery fluid from the battery:
(i) Vibration test. The battery must be rigidly clamped to the
platform of a vibration machine, and a simple harmonic motion having an
amplitude of 0.8 mm (0.03 inches), with a 1.6 mm (0.063 inches) maximum
total excursion must be applied. The frequency must be varied at the
rate of 1 Hz/min between the limits of 10 Hz to 55 Hz. The entire range
of frequencies and return must be traversed in 955 minutes
for each mounting position (direction of vibrator) of the battery. The
battery must be tested in three mutually perpendicular positions (to
include testing with fill openings and vents, if any, in an inverted
position) for equal time periods.
(ii) Pressure differential test. Following the vibration test, the
battery must be stored for six hours at 24 deg.C4 deg.C
(75 deg.F7 deg.F) while subjected to a pressure
differential of at least 88 kPa (13 psig). The battery must be tested in
three mutually perpendicular positions (to include testing with fill
openings and vents, if any, in an inverted position) for at least six
hours in each position.
(e) Electric storage batteries containing electrolyte or corrosive
battery fluid are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter for
transportation by highway or rail if all of the following requirements
are met:
(1) No other hazardous materials may be transported in the same
vehicle;
(2) The batteries must be loaded or braced so as to prevent damage
and short circuits in transit;
(3) Any other material loaded in the same vehicle must be blocked,
braced, or otherwise secured to prevent contact with or damage to the
batteries; and
(4) The transport vehicle may not carry material shipped by any
person other than the shipper of the batteries.
(f) Electric storage batteries, containing electrolyte or corrosive
battery fluid in a coil from which it is injected into the battery cells
by a gas generator and initiator assembled with the battery, and which
are nonspillable under the criteria of paragraph (d) of
[[Page 502]]
this section, are excepted from other requirements of this subchapter
when examined by the Bureau of Explosives and approved by the Associate
Administrator.
(g) Electrolyte, acid, or alkaline corrosive battery fluid, packed
with storage batteries wet or dry, must be packed in one of the
following specification packagings:
(1) In 4C1, 4C2, 4D, or 4F wooden boxes with inner receptacles of
glass, not over 4.0 L (1 gallon) each with not over 8.0 L (2 gallons)
total in each outside container. Inside containers must be well-
cushioned and separated from batteries by a strong solid wooden
partition. The completed package must conform to Packing Group III
requirements.
(2) Electrolyte, acid, or alkaline corrosive battery fluid included
with storage batteries and filling kits may be packed in strong rigid
outer packagings when shipments are made by, for, or to the Departments
of the Army, Navy, or Air Force of the United States. Packagings must
conform to military specifications. The electrolyte, acid, or alkaline
corrosive battery fluid must be packed in polyethylene bottles of not
over 1.0 L (0.3 gallon) capacity each. Not more than 24 bottles,
securely separated from storage batteries and kits, may be offered for
transportation or transported in each package.
(3) In 4G fiberboard boxes with not more than 12 inside packagings
of polyethylene or other material resistant to the lading, each not over
2.0 L (0.5 gallon) capacity each. Completed packages must conform to
Packing Group III requirements. Inner packagings must be adequately
separated from the storage battery. The maximum authorized gross weight
is 29 kg (64 pounds). These packages are not authorized for
transportation by aircraft.
(h) Dry storage batteries or battery charger devices may be packaged
in 4G fiberboard boxes with inner receptacles containing battery fluid.
Completed packagings must conform to Packing Group III requirements. Not
more than 12 inner receptacles may be packed in one outer box. The
maximum authorized gross weight is 34 kg (75 pounds).
[Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52643, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66270,
Dec. 20, 1991; 57 FR 45463, Oct. 1, 1992; Amdt. 173-235, 58 FR 50502,
Sept. 27, 1993; Amdt. 173-234, 58 FR 51532, Oct. 1, 1993; Amdt. 173-246,
60 FR 49110, Sept. 21, 1995; 64 FR 10777, Mar. 5, 1999; 65 FR 58629,
Sept. 29, 2000; 66 FR 45379, 45380, Aug. 28, 2001]