[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: 49CFR173.166] [Page 505-506] 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. 173.166 Air bag inflators, air bag modules and seat-belt pretensioners. (a) Definitions. An air bag inflator (consisting of a casing containing an igniter, a booster material, a gas generant and, in some cases, a pressure vessel (cylinder)) is a gas generator used to inflate an air bag in a supplemental restraint system in a motor vehicle. An air bag module is the air bag inflator plus an inflatable bag assembly. A seat-belt pre-tensioner contains similar hazardous materials and is used in the operation of a seat-belt restraining system in a motor vehicle. (b) Classification. An air bag inflator, air bag module, or seat- belt pre-tensioner may be classed as Class 9 (UN3268) or Division 2.2 (UN3353) if it meets the following requirements-- (1) The manufacturer has submitted each design type air bag inflator or seat-belt pre-tensioner to a person approved by the Associate Administrator for examination and testing. The submission must contain a detailed description of the inflator or pre-tensioner (or, if more than a single inflator or pre-tensioner is involved, the maximum parameters of each particular inflator or pre-tensioner design type for which approval is sought) and details on the complete package. (2) Samples of the inflator or pre-tensioner, packaged as for transport, have been subjected to test series 6(c) of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria (see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter), with no explosion of the device, no fragmentation of device casings, and no projection hazard or thermal effect which would significantly hinder fire-fighting or other emergency response efforts in the immediate vicinity. (3) The manufacturer submits an application, including-- (i) The test results and report recommending the shipping description and classification for each device or design type; or (ii) An approved classification issued by the competent authority of a foreign government, to the Associate Administrator, and is notified in writing by the Associate Administrator that the device has been classed as Class 9 or Division 2.2 and approved for transportation. (4) No approval applications are required for air bag modules containing an approved air bag inflator. (5) Air bag inflators or seat belt pre-tensioners previously reclassed from Class 1 to Division 4.1 under the terms of an exemption may be reclassed as Class 9 materials without further testing. (c) EX numbers. When offered for transportation, the shipping paper must contain the EX number or product code for each approved inflator or pre-tensioner in association with the basic description required by Sec. 172.202(a) of this subchapter. Product codes must be traceable to the specific EX number assigned to the inflator, module or pre-tensioner by the Associate Administrator. Marking the EX number or product code on the outside package is not required. This paragraph (c) does not apply to a device classed as Division 2.2. (d) Exceptions. (1) An air bag module or seat-belt pretensioner that has been [[Page 506]] approved by the Associate Administrator and is installed in a motor vehicle or in completed vehicle components, such as steering columns or door panels, is not subject to the requirements of this subchapter. (2) An air bag module, containing an inflator that has previously been examined and approved for transportation as a Division 4.1 material, is not required to be submitted for examination or approval. (3) Shipments for recycling. When offered for domestic transportation by highway, rail freight, cargo vessel or cargo aircraft only, a serviceable air bag module or seat-belt pretensioner removed from a motor vehicle that was manufactured as required for use in the United States may be offered for transportation and transported without compliance with the shipping paper requirement prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section. However, the word ``Recycled'' must be entered on the shipping paper immediately after the basic description prescribed in Sec. 172.202 of this subchapter. No more than one device is authorized in the packaging prescribed in paragraph (e)(1), (2) or (3) of this section. The device must be cushioned and secured within the package to prevent movement during transportation. (e) Packagings. The following packagings at the Packing Group III performance level are authorized for Class 9 devices: (1) 1A2, 1B2, 1G or 1H2 drums. (2) 3A2 or 3H2 jerricans. (3) 4C1, 4C2, 4D, 4F, 4G or 4H2 boxes. (4) Reusable high strength plastic or metal containers or dedicated handling devices are authorized for shipment of air bag inflators, air bag modules, and seat-belt pretensioners from a manufacturing facility to the assembly facility, subject to the following conditions: (i) The gross weight of the container or handling device may not exceed 1000 kg (2205 pounds). The container or handling device structure must provide adequate support to allow them to be stacked at least three high with no damage to the containers or devices. (ii) If not completely enclosed by design, the container or handling device must be covered with plastic, fiberboard, or metal. The covering must be secured to the container by banding or other comparable methods. (iii) Internal dunnage must be sufficient to prevent movement of the devices within the container. (f) Labeling. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 172.402 of this subchapter, each package or handling device must display a CLASS 9 or NON-FLAMMABLE GAS label. Additional labeling is not required when the package contains no hazardous materials other than the devices. [Amdt. 173-230, 57 FR 1878, Jan. 16, 1992, as amended by Amdt. 173-241, 59 FR 67509, Dec. 29, 1994; Amdt. 173-261, 62 FR 24733, May 6, 1997; 62 FR 51560, Oct. 1, 1997; 64 FR 10778, Mar. 5, 1999; 65 FR 50461, Aug. 18, 2000; 65 FR 58629, Sept. 29, 2000; 66 FR 8647, Feb. 1, 2001; 66 FR 45183, 45379, Aug. 28, 2001]