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USDOT HazMat Placards

Class 3 Flammable Liquids (pg 1 of 2)
49CFR 173.120

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These pages provide US DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) definitions for each hazmat placard used in transportation. Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR) also known as the Federal Motor Carriers Safty Regulations (FMCSR) requires the use hazardous materials placards when shipping hazardous materials cargo and dangerous goods in the United States. Canada, Mexico and many other countries have simular regulations that also require the use of these placards.

Clipart CD of Placards Available

CDs containing high-resolution "clipart" versions of each hazmat placard can be purchased from us for $50 U.S. including shipping (via U.S. Mail). For more information and/or to order the CD, please see our placarding CD ordering page.

Flammable Liquid
173.120(a)

A flammable liquid (Class 3) means a liquid having a flash point of not more than 60.5°C (141°F), or any material in a liquid phase with a flash point at or above 37.8°C (100°F) that is intentionally heated and offered for transportation or transported at or above its flash point in a bulk packaging, with the following exceptions:
  1. Any liquid meeting one of the definitions specified in 49CFR 173.115.
  2. Any mixture having one or more components with a flash point of 60.5°C (141°F) or higher, that make up at least 99 percent of the total volume of the mixture, if the mixture is not offered for transportation or transported at or above its flash point.
  3. Any liquid with a flash point greater than 35°C (95°F) which does not sustain combustion according to ASTM 4206 or the procedure in Appendix H of this part.
  4. Any liquid with a flash point greater than 35°C (95°F) and with a fire point greater than 100°C (212°F) according to ISO 2592.
  5. Any liquid with a flash point greater than 35°C (95°F) which is in a water-miscible solution with a water content of more than 90 percent by mass.

ERG GUIDE NUMBER: 127

Combustible Liquids
173.120(b)(1)

  1. For the purpose of this subchapter, a combustible liquid means any liquid that does not meet the definition of any other hazard class specified in this subchapter and has a flash point above 60.5°C (141°F) and below 93°C (200°F).
  2. A flammable liquid with a flash point at or above 38°C (100°F) that does not meet the definition of any other hazard class may be reclassed as a combustible liquid. This provision does not apply to transportation by vessel or aircraft, except where other means of transportation is impracticable. An elevated temperature material that meets the definition of a Class 3 material because it is intentionally heated and offered for transportation or transported at or above its flash point may not be reclassed as a combustible liquid.
  3. A combustible liquid which does not sustain combustion is not subject to the requirements of this subchapter as a combustible liquid. Either the test method specified in ASTM 4206 or the procedure in Appendix H of this part may be used to determine if a material sustains combustion when heated under test conditions and exposed to an external source of flame.

ERG GUIDE NUMBER: 127

Gasoline

This placard is an alternative placard, which may be used for gasoline in non-bulk quantities.

ERG GUIDE NUMBER: 127

Fuel Oil

This placard is an alternative placard, which may be used for fuel oil in non-bulk quantities.

ERG GUIDE NUMBER: 128

Hazardous Materials Load & Segregation Chart
49CFR 177.848
 Wt 1.11.21.31.41.51.62.12.22.22.3
A		2.3
B		 3 4.14.24.35.15.26.1
A		 7  8 

Key:
49CFR 177.848(e)

'*' This indicates that segregation among different Class 1 materials is governed by the compatibility table in 49CFR 177.848(f)

'X' These materials may not be loaded, transported, or stored together in the same transport vehicle or storage facility during the course of transportation.

'O' Indicates that these materials may not be loaded, transported or stored together in the same transport vehicle or storage facility during the course of transportation, unless separated in a manner that, in the event of leakage from packages under conditions normally incident to transportation, commingling of hazardous materials would not occur.

'A' This note means that, notwithstanding the requirements of the letter 'X', ammonium nitrate fertilizer may be loaded or stored with Division 1.1 or Division 1.5 materials.

The absence of any hazard class or division or a blank space in the table indicates that no restrictions apply.

3  1001 lb   XXXOX    XO    O X  

Definitions
49CFR 173.120

  1. Flash point.
    1. Flash point means the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off vapor within a test vessel in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. It shall be determined as follows:
      1. For a homogeneous, single-phase, liquid having a viscosity less than 45 S.U.S. at 38°C (100°F) that does not form a surface film while under test, one of the following test procedures shall be used:
        1. Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by Tag Closed Tester, (ASTM D 56);
        2. Standard Methods of Test for Flash Point of Liquids by Setaflash Closed Tester, (ASTM D 3278); or
        3. Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Tester, (ASTM D 3828).
      2. For a liquid other than one meeting all of the criteria of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, one of the following test procedures shall be used:
        1. Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Tester, (ASTM D 93). For cutback asphalt, use Method B of ASTM D 93 or alternate tests authorized in this standard; or
        2. Standard Methods of Test for Flash Point of Liquids by Setaflash Closed Tester (ASTM D 3278).
    2. For a liquid that is a mixture of compounds that have different volatility and flash points, its flash point shall be determined as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, on the material in the form in which it is to be shipped. If it is determined by this test that the flash point is higher than -7°C (20°F) a second test shall be made as follows: a portion of the mixture shall be placed in an open beaker (or similar container) of such dimensions that the height of the liquid can be adjusted so that the ratio of the volume of the liquid to the exposed surface area is 6 to one. The liquid shall be allowed to evaporate under ambient pressure and temperature (20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F)) for a period of 4 hours or until 10 percent by volume has evaporated, whichever comes first. A flash point is then run on a portion of the liquid remaining in the evaporation container and the lower of the two flash points shall be the flash point of the material.
    3. For flash point determinations by Setaflash closed tester, the glass syringe specified need not be used as the method of measurement of the test sample if a minimum quantity of 2 ml (0.1 ounce) is assured in the test cup.
  2. If experience or other data indicate that the hazard of a material is greater or less than indicated by the criteria specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety may revise the classification or make the material subject or not subject to the requirements of parts 170-189 of this subchapter.

CONTINUED...

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Last updated: Feb 2007

Related Resources

  • Guide for Handling Household Chemicals
    Things you can do to make your home safer.
  • USDOT Hazardous Materials Table 49 CFR 172.101
    An online version of the USDOT hazardous materials table from 49CFR 172.101. This table can be sorted by proper shipping name, UN/NA ID and/or by primary hazard class/division.
  • ERG (Emergency Response Guidebook)
    Have you ever wondered what those four digit numbers on the placards on the side of trucks and rail cars mean? Our online 2004ERG will give you your answer. This is an online version of the guidebook produced by the USDOT for first responders during the initial phase of a Dangerous goods/HazMat incident.
  • Chemical Database
    This database focuses on the most common chemical compounds used in the home and industry.

Copyright Notice

While excerpts from the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 (49CFR) and the "Emergency Response Guidebook" are in the public domain, the image files on these pages, the design of these pages as well as all other materials on this site and graphics files are copyrighted by J.K. Barbalace, inc. Copyrighted material on this site, including graphics files, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED in any form without the express permission.

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WARNING: These pages are for general reference and educational purposes only and MUST NOT be relied upon as a sole source to determine regulatory compliance or where matters of life and health are concerned. This site and the author do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or the sufficiency of the information provided and do not assume any responsibility for its use.

To ensure regulatory compliance when transporting hazardous materials or dangerous goods, one must receive proper training and certification from a qualified instructor and refer to the current year's Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 (49CFR) or your country's shipping regulations. In matters regarding workplace safety, refer to current OSHA regulations (29CFR) and NIOSH guidelines or your own country's health and safety regulations. No one should ever enter into a hazardous environment without proper training from qualified instructors.

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