By Andy Altemos, Senior Technical Advisor    November, 2007

Dangerous Placard in mixed loads: When can I use it? 

Section 172.504,
letter dated October 16, 2007,
to Mr. Len Hammond,
4th ID-Fort Carson

The placarding requirements for mixed loads of hazardous materials of different classes are an aspect of the HMR that is always rather confusing. This is particularly true regarding the use of the DANGEROUS placard and the application of the 454 kg (1,001 pound) placarding exception in the case of mixed loads. In this letter, DOT responds to a number of different scenarios illustrating how these requirements and exceptions are to be interpreted and applied. While there is nothing “new” about DOT’s responses, the letter is nevertheless considered noteworthy in that it very effectively illustrates how these placarding requirements and exceptions are to be applied. This information is presented in a manner which, in many respects, is clearer than the regulations themselves.

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