Hazardous Materials: Transportation of Compressed Oxygen, Other Oxidizing Gases and Chemical Oxygen Generators on Aircraft

Summary: RSPA is extending until December 13, 2004, the period for interested persons to submit comments on the May 6, 2004 notice of proposed rulemaking in response to a request by the Air Transport Association (ATA). In the May 6, 2004 NPRM, we proposed to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to require that cylinders of compressed oxygen and packages of chemical oxygen generators be placed in an outer packaging that meets certain flame penetration and thermal resistance requirements when transported aboard an aircraft. This proposal was developed based on recommendations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). RSPA is also proposing to: Raise the pressure relief device setting limit on cylinders of compressed oxygen transported aboard aircraft; limit the types of cylinders authorized to transport compressed oxygen aboard aircraft; prohibit the transportation of all oxidizing gases, other than compressed oxygen, aboard cargo and passenger aircraft; and convert most of the provisions of an oxygen generator approval into the HMR. These proposals would increase the level of safety associated with transportation of these materials aboard aircraft.