Final Rule: PHMSA Restricts E-Cigs on Airplanes

The US DOT posted a Final Rule to today’s Federal Register to prohibit electronic smoking devices (“vape pens,” e-cigs, e-hookahs, e-pipes, etc.) in checked baggage aboard an airplane. The Rule also prohibits charging e-cigs while on a plane. Electronic “smoking” or “vaping” devices will still be allowed in carry-on baggage. The Final Rule is consistent with an Interrim Final Rule (IFR) PHMSA posted back in October 2015.

The unique hazards of lithium batteries in air transport are well known and have been a central focus of hazardous materials rulemakings for years. In emergency incidents and testing by industry and the US DOT, lithium-ion batteries have shown the potential to enter “thermal runaway”—simply put, they get hotter and hotter until they get set on fire. The fires resulting from lithium battery incidents are so intense that they can overwhelm the fire suppression systems on airplanes, according to Boeing. 
 

New IATA Lithium Battery Air Rules Now Mandatory

In a rare move this year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) directly adopted new restrictions on lithium batteries shipped by air into the 57^th Edition Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). Effective April 1, 2016, the new requirements reflected emergency provisions recommended by the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization and included:
 

• Restricting state-of-charge (SoC) for lithium-ion batteries shipped by air to 30%,
• Setting strict limits on the number of packaged allowed per shipment, and
• Prohibiting lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft.

On April 7, 2016, the US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a Safety Advisory Notice for individuals who prepare lithium battery shipments for transportation.

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Tags: batteries, lithium, new rules, US DOT