From: reece@eco.twg.com (Reece R. Pollack)
Subject: Re: O2 Bottles on Aircraft?
Reply-To: reece@eco.twg.com (Reece R. Pollack)
Organization: The Wollongong Group (East Coast Operations)
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 92 20:25:39 GMT


In article <1190025@hprpcd.rose.hp.com>, johnc@hprpcd.rose.hp.com (John Cotterill) writes:
|>Will airlines allow full O2 bottles aboard their aircraft??  I would like to 
|>take a bottle along on my next international trip to a third world area.   
|>JC             

Alright, alright... I finally remembered to bring my copy of "Hazardous
Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation" to work. I will
hereby quote the relevant sections and let everyone else interpret as they
will. Remember, though, that while the airlines cannot carry what the DOT
prohibits, they can prohibit what the DOT allows.

All regulations, unless otherwise stated, are from the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), Title 49, Parts 100 through 180.

These are the relevant sections pertaining to the the transport of 
compressed air and compressed oxygen, except for Section 173.302,
which is too long to type in.


From Section 172.101, "Hazardous Materials Table":

Air, Compressed
Hazard Class:		2.2
ID Number:		UN1002
Required Label:		NONFLAMMABLE GAS
Packing Exemptions:	173.306
Non-bulk Packaging:	173.302
Quantity Limits (a/c):	75kg

Oxygen, Compressed
Hazard Class:		2.2
ID Number:		UN1072
Required Label:		NONFLAMMABLE GAS, OXIDIZER
Packing Exemptions:	173.306
Non-bulk Packaging:	173.302
Quantity Limits (a/c):	75kg



From Section 173.2, "Hazardous materials classes and index to hazard class
definitions":

Hazard Class:		2.2
Name of Class:		Non-flammable compressed gas
49 CFR Reference:	173.115



From Section 173.115, "Class 2, Divisions 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 -- Definitions":
 (b) Division 2.2 (non-flammable, non-poisonous compressed gas -- including
     compressed gas, liquefied gas, pressurized cryogenic gas and compressed
     gas in solution).  For the purposes of this subchapter, a "non-flammable,
     non-poisonous compressed gas" (Division 2.2) means any material (or
     mixture) which --
     (1) Exerts in the packaging an absolute pressure of 280 kPa (41 psia) at
         20C (68F), and
     (2) Does not meet the definition of Division 2.1 [flammable gas] or
         2.3 [gas poisonous by inhalation].



From Section 173.306, "Limited quantities of compressed gases"
 (a) Limited quantities of compressed gases for which exemptions are permitted
     as noted by reference to this section in Section 172.101 of this subchapter
     are excepted from labeling (EXCEPT WHEN OFFERED FOR TRANSPORTATION BY
     AIR)...


From Section 173.29, "Empty Packagings":
 (a) General. Except as otherwise provided in this section, an empty packaging
     containing only the residue of a hazardous material shall be offered for
     transportation and transported in the same manner as when it previously
     contained a greater quantity of that hazardous material.
 (b) Notwithstanding the requrements of patagraph (a) of this section, an empty
     packaging is not subject to any other requirements of this subchapter if
     it conforms to the following provisions:
     (1) Any hazardous material shipping name and identification number
         markings, and any hazard warning labels or placards are removed,
         obliterated, or securely covered in transportation. This provision
         does not apply to transportation in a transport vehicle or a freight
         container if the packaging is not visible during transportation and
         the the packaging is loaded by the shipper and unloaded by the shipper
         or consignee;
     (2) The packaging --
         (i)   Is unused;
         (ii)  Is sufficiently cleaned of residue and purged of vapors to
               remove any potential hazard;
         (iii) Is refilled with a material which is not hazardous to such
               an extent that any residue remaining in the packaging no longer
               poses a hazard; or
         (iv)  Contains only the residue of --
               (A) An ORM-D material; or
               (B) A non-flammable gas with no subsidiary hazard at an absolute
                   pressure of less than 276 kPa (40 psia); at 21C (70F); and
     (3) Any material contained in the packaging does not meet the definitions
         in Section 171.8 of this subchapter for either a hazardous substance
         or a hazardous waste.


From Part 175 -- Carriage by Aircraft; Section 175.10, "Exceptions":
 (a) This subchapter does not apply to:
     (7) Oxygen, or any hazardous material used for the generation of oxygen,
         carried for medical use by a passenger in accordance with 14 CFR
         Sections 121.574 or 135.91.


Anyone still reading???   In summary....


1. If you don't need the compressed oxygen for in-flight use, you won't be
   allowed to carry it with you.

2. Compressed air and compressed oxygen cylinders pressurized above 40 psia
   (about 25 psig) are hazardous materials, regardless of the fact that they
   are designed to withstand pressures of 3000 psig.

3. Compressed air cylinders pressurized at or less than 40 psia (about 25
   psig) are not hazardous materials, and should not be treated as such.
   There is no US federal regulation requiring the removal of the tank valve.

4. Airlines are rightfully concerned with safety, and will often restrict
   the transportation of materials they are permitted to carry, rather than
   risk accidental transport of a hazardous material. Be prepared to prove
   that the tank is empty, and allow time for an unhurried debate.

5. Aircraft operations under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 91 (the average
   private pilot) are not covered by 49 CFR.

6. Don't blame me if you end up having to leave a Pony or Spare Air at
   the airport. If you think that's unfair, learn to fly (see #5 above).

--
Reece R. Pollack
Private Pilot - Airplane Single Engine Land
PADI Adv O/W, Night/Deep/Wreck/Equip Spec.