CDL Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME)Bulk Tanks and Other ContainersEasy
A carrier is preparing to transport a bulk quantity of a hazardous material that is classified as a Division 4.1 (Flammable Solid). Which of the following placarding requirements applies to this shipment?
- APlacards are only required if the aggregate gross weight of the material is 1,001 pounds or more.
- BPlacards are required regardless of the aggregate gross weight, as it is a table 1 material.
- CPlacards are required only if the material is also poisonous by inhalation.
- DPlacards are not required if the material is packaged in an intermediate bulk container (IBC).
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Placards are required regardless of the aggregate gross weight, as it is a table 1 material.
Division 4.1 (Flammable Solids) is listed in Table 1 of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR 172.504). Materials in Table 1 require placarding in any quantity when transported in bulk packaging.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This rule applies to Table 2 materials, not Table 1 materials like Division 4.1.
- C. Poisonous by inhalation is a separate hazard characteristic and does not negate or alter the placarding requirement for Division 4.1.
- D. IBCs are considered bulk packaging for placarding purposes, and the placarding requirement for Table 1 materials still applies.
Table 1 Hazmat Placarding
Hazardous materials listed in Table 1 of 49 CFR 172.504 require placards on bulk packaging regardless of the aggregate gross weight of the material.
- Always placard bulk Table 1 materials.
- Table 1 includes explosives, poisons, radioactive materials, and some flammable gases.
- Table 2 materials have a 1,001 lb threshold for placarding.
Memory trick: Always check the HAZMAT table first; Table 1 means placard ALL bulk, Table 2 has a weight rule.