Are All Compressed Gases Hazardous Materials?

The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) classifies several types of gases as hazardous materials in transportation. Flammable and toxic are the two more obvious categories of hazardous gas, and the third is reserved for gases "compressed under pressure." However, some compressed gases are excepted from stringent HMR regulation.

Let's take a look at instances where compressed under pressure gases do not need to be treated like fully regulated hazardous materials in transportation.

Compressed Gases Excepted From the HMR

We can get the two easiest ones right out of the way. Carbonated beverages and balls used for sports (A.K.A. sports balls, not to be confused with Spaceballs) are excepted from the HMR.

Tires are excepted, so long as a tire’s pressure is not greater than its rated inflation pressure, unless shipped by air. Tires shipped by air would need to meet specific requirements as found in the IATA regulations to avoid compliance issues and shipping delays.

Compressed Gases Sometimes Excepted From the HMR

Refrigerating machines are sometimes excepted from the HMR in transportation. For these packages, DOT’s hazmat regulations contain five separate thresholds that, if exceeded, require the shipment to be classified, labelled, packaged, and so on, in compliance with the HMR.

Manufactured articles or apparatuses other than light bulbs are excepted only when they do not exceed the thresholds for inert gas found at 49 CFR 173.307.

Light bulbs (lamps) are excepted in transportation when they contain no Class 7 radioactive materials and are either collected directly from individuals and households when transported to a collection or recycling facility, contain only gases of Division 2.2 provided they are packaged so that the projectile effects of any rupture of the bulb will be contained within the package, or are packaged in a way that qualifies for exception as described at 49 CFR 173.11.

Upcoming DOT Hazmat Training

Attend a Lion Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification Workshop near you for two days of expert-led training to simplify you responsibilities for hazmat shipping compliance.

From classifying materials and shipping names, to UN packaging, labels and placards, shipping papers, training employees, registration and reporting, and more—return to work feeling more confident about compliance with the US Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) in 49 CFR.

Tags: hazardous materials, hazmat, hazmat shipping