49 C.F.R. § 173.159 Batteries, wet.
Title 49 - Transportation
(a) Electric storage batteries, containing electrolyte acid or alkaline corrosive battery fluid, must be completely protected so that short circuits will be prevented; they may not be packed with other materials except as provided in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section and in §§173.220 and 173.222. For transportation by aircraft, the packaging for wet cell batteries must incorporate an acid-or alkali-proof liner, or include a supplementary packaging with sufficient strength and adequately sealed to prevent leakage of electrolyte fluid in the event of spillage. (b) The following specification packagings are authorized for batteries packed without other materials: (1) 4C1, 4C2, 4D, or 4F wooden boxes. (2) 4G fiberboard boxes. (3) 1D plywood drums. (4) 1G fiber drums. (5) 1H2 and 3H2 plastic drums and jerricans. (6) 4H2 plastic boxes. (c) The following non-specification packagings are authorized for batteries packed without other materials: (1) Electric storage batteries protected against short circuits and firmly secured to skids or pallets capable of withstanding the shocks normally incident to transportation, are authorized for transportation by rail, highway, or water. The height of the completed unit must not exceed 1 (2) Electric storage batteries weighing 225 kg (500 pounds) or more, consisting of carriers' equipment, may be shipped by rail when mounted on suitable skids and protected against short circuits. Such shipments may not be offered in interchange service. (3) One to three batteries not over 11.3 kg (25 pounds) each, packed in outer boxes. The maximum authorized gross weight is 34 kg (75 pounds). (4) Not more than four batteries not over 7 kg (15 pounds) each, packed in strong outer fiberboard or wooden boxes. Batteries must be securely cushioned and packed to prevent short circuits. The maximum authorized gross weight is 30 kg (65 pounds). (5) Not more than five batteries not over 4.5 kg (10 pounds) each, packed in strong outer fiberboard or wooden boxes. Batteries must be securely cushioned and packed to prevent short circuits. The maximum authorized gross weight is 30 kg (65 pounds). (6) Single batteries not exceeding 34 kg (75 pounds) each, packed in 5-sided slip covers or in completely closed fiberboard boxes. Slip covers and boxes must be of solid or double-faced corrugated fiberboard of at least 91 kg (200 pounds) Mullen test strength. The slip cover or fiberboard box must fit snugly and provide inside top clearance of at least 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) above battery terminals and filler caps with reinforcement in place. Assembled for shipment, the bottom edges of the slipcover must come to within 2.5 cm (1 inch) of the bottom of the battery. The completed package (battery and box or slip cover) must be capable of withstanding a top-to-bottom compression test of at least 225 kg (500 pounds) without damage to battery terminals, cell covers or filler caps. (7) Single batteries exceeding 34 kg (75 pounds) each may be packed in completely closed fiberboard boxes. Boxes must be of double-wall corrugated fiberboard of at least 181 kg (400 pounds) test, or solid fiberboard testing at least 181 kg (400 pounds); a box may have hand holes in its ends provided that the handholes will not materially weaken the box. Sides and ends of the box must have cushioning between the battery and walls of the box; combined thickness of cushioning material and walls of the box must not be less than 1.3 cm (0.5 inch); and cushioning must be excelsior pads, corrugated fiberboard, or other suitable cushioning material. The bottom of the battery must be protected by a minimum of one excelsior or double-wall corrugated fiberboard pad. The top of the battery must be protected by a wood frame, corrugated trays or scored sheets of corrugated fiberboard having minimum test of 91 kg (200 pounds), or other equally effective cushioning material. Top protection must bear evenly on connectors and/or edges of the battery cover to facilitate stacking of batteries. No more than one battery may be placed in one box. The maximum authorized gross weight is 91 kg (200 pounds). (d) A nonspillable wet electric storage battery is excepted from all other requirements of this subchapter under the following conditions: (1) The battery must be protected against short circuits and securely packaged; (2) For batteries manufactured after September 30, 1995, the battery and the outer packaging must be plainly and durably marked “NONSPILLABLE” or “NONSPILLABLE BATTERY”; and (3) The battery must be capable of withstanding the following two tests, without leakage of battery fluid from the battery: (i) Vibration test. The battery must be rigidly clamped to the platform of a vibration machine, and a simple harmonic motion having an amplitude of 0.8 mm (0.03 inches), with a 1.6 mm (0.063 inches) maximum total excursion must be applied. The frequency must be varied at the rate of 1 Hz/min between the limits of 10 Hz to 55 Hz. The entire range of frequencies and return must be traversed in 95±5 minutes for each mounting position (direction of vibrator) of the battery. The battery must be tested in three mutually perpendicular positions (to include testing with fill openings and vents, if any, in an inverted position) for equal time periods. (ii) Pressure differential test. Following the vibration test, the battery must be stored for six hours at 24 °C±4 °C (75 °F±7 °F) while subjected to a pressure differential of at least 88 kPa (13 psig). The battery must be tested in three mutually perpendicular positions (to include testing with fill openings and vents, if any, in an inverted position) for at least six hours in each position. (4) At a temperature of 55 °C (131 °F), the battery must not contain any unabsorbed free-flowing liquid, and must be designed so that electrolyte will not flow from a ruptured or cracked case. (e) Electric storage batteries containing electrolyte or corrosive battery fluid are not subject to the requirements of this subchapter for transportation by highway or rail if all of the following requirements are met: (1) No other hazardous materials may be transported in the same vehicle; (2) The batteries must be loaded or braced so as to prevent damage and short circuits in transit; (3) Any other material loaded in the same vehicle must be blocked, braced, or otherwise secured to prevent contact with or damage to the batteries; and (4) The transport vehicle may not carry material shipped by any person other than the shipper of the batteries. (f) Electric storage batteries, containing electrolyte or corrosive battery fluid in a coil from which it is injected into the battery cells by a gas generator and initiator assembled with the battery, and which are nonspillable under the criteria of paragraph (d) of this section, are excepted from other requirements of this subchapter when examined by the Bureau of Explosives and approved by the Associate Administrator. (g) Electrolyte, acid, or alkaline corrosive battery fluid, packed with storage batteries wet or dry, must be packed in one of the following specification packagings: (1) In 4C1, 4C2, 4D, or 4F wooden boxes with inner receptacles of glass, not over 4.0 L (1 gallon) each with not over 8.0 L (2 gallons) total in each outside container. Inside containers must be well-cushioned and separated from batteries by a strong solid wooden partition. The completed package must conform to Packing Group III requirements. (2) Electrolyte, acid, or alkaline corrosive battery fluid included with storage batteries and filling kits may be packed in strong rigid outer packagings when shipments are made by, for, or to the Departments of the Army, Navy, or Air Force of the United States. Packagings must conform to military specifications. The electrolyte, acid, or alkaline corrosive battery fluid must be packed in polyethylene bottles of not over 1.0 L (0.3 gallon) capacity each. Not more than 24 bottles, securely separated from storage batteries and kits, may be offered for transportation or transported in each package. (3) In 4G fiberboard boxes with not more than 12 inside packagings of polyethylene or other material resistant to the lading, each not over 2.0 L (0.5 gallon) capacity each. Completed packages must conform to Packing Group III requirements. Inner packagings must be adequately separated from the storage battery. The maximum authorized gross weight is 29 kg (64 pounds). These packages are not authorized for transportation by aircraft. (h) Dry storage batteries or battery charger devices may be packaged in 4G fiberboard boxes with inner receptacles containing battery fluid. Completed packagings must conform to Packing Group III requirements. Not more than 12 inner receptacles may be packed in one outer box. The maximum authorized gross weight is 34 kg (75 pounds). [Amdt. 173–224, 55 FR 52643, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66270, Dec. 20, 1991; 57 FR 45463, Oct. 1, 1992; Amdt. 173–235, 58 FR 50502, Sept. 27, 1993; Amdt. 173–234, 58 FR 51532, Oct. 1, 1993; Amdt. 173–246, 60 FR 49110, Sept. 21, 1995; 64 FR 10777, Mar. 5, 1999; 65 FR 58629, Sept. 29, 2000; 66 FR 45379, 45380, Aug. 28, 2001; 68 FR 45033, July 31, 2003]
Title 49: Transportation
PART 173—SHIPPERS—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS
Subpart E—Non-bulk Packaging for Hazardous Materials Other Than Class 1 and Class 7
§ 173.159 Batteries, wet.
