StacksVerified U.S. regulatory reference

49 CFR §173.127

Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
  1. (a)Definition. For the purpose of this subchapter, oxidizer (Division 5.1) means a material that may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause or enhance the combustion of other materials.
    1. (1)A solid material, except for solid ammonium nitrate based fertilizer (see paragraph (a)(3) of this section), is classed as a Division 5.1 material if, when tested in accordance with the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter):
      1. (i)If test O.1 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.1), the mean burning time is less than or equal to the burning time of a 3:7 potassium bromate/cellulose mixture; or
      2. (ii)If test O.3 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.3), the mean burning rate is greater than or equal to the burning rate of a 1:2 calcium peroxide/cellulose mixture.
    2. (2)A liquid material is classed as a Division 5.1 material if, when tested in accordance with the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, it spontaneously ignites or its mean time for a pressure rise from 690 kPa to 2070 kPa gauge is less then the time of a 1:1 nitric acid (65 percent)/cellulose mixture.
    3. (3)Solid ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers must be classified in accordance with the procedure as set out in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Section 39.
  2. (b)Assignment of packing groups.
    1. (1)The packing group of a Division 5.1 material which is a solid shall be assigned using the following criteria:
      1. (i)Packing Group I, for any material which, in either concentration tested:
        1. (A)If test O.1 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.1), the mean burning time is less than the mean burning time of a 3:2 potassium bromate/cellulose mixture; or
        2. (B)If test O.3 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.3), the mean burning rate is greater than the mean burning rate of a 3:1 calcium peroxide/cellulose mixture.
      2. (ii)Packing Group II, for any material which, in either concentration tested:
        1. (A)If test O.1 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.1), the mean burning time is less than the mean burning time of a 2:3 potassium bromate/cellulose mixture and the criteria for Packing Group I are not met; or
        2. (B)If test O.3 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.3), the mean burning rate is greater than the mean burning rate of a 1:1 calcium peroxide/cellulose mixture and the criteria for Packing Group I are not met.
      3. (iii)Packing Group III for any material which, in either concentration tested:
        1. (A)If test O.1 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.1), the mean burning time is less than the mean burning time of a 3:7 potassium bromate/cellulose mixture and the criteria for Packing Groups I and II are not met; or
        2. (B)If test O.3 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.3), the mean burning rate is greater than the mean burning rate of a 1:2 calcium peroxide/cellulose mixture and the criteria for Packing Groups I and II are not met.
      4. (iv)The materials is not classified as a Division 5.1 material if, in either concentration tested:
        1. (A)If test O.1 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.1), the sample tested does not ignite and exhibit burn, or exhibits a mean burning time of greater than or equal to the mean burning time of a 3:7 potassium bromate/cellulose mixture.
        2. (B)If test O.3 is used (UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, sub-section 34.4.3), the sample tested does not ignite and exhibit burn, or exhibits a mean burning rate less than or equal to the mean burning rate of a 1:2 calcium peroxide/cellulose mixture.
    2. (2)The packing group of a Division 5.1 material which is a liquid shall be assigned using the following criteria:
      1. (i)Packing Group I for:
        1. (A)Any material which spontaneously ignites when mixed with cellulose in a 1:1 ratio; or
        2. (B)Any material which exhibits a mean pressure rise time less than the pressure rise time of a 1:1 perchloric acid (50 percent)/cellulose mixture.
      2. (ii)Packing Group II, any material which exhibits a mean pressure rise time less than or equal to the pressure rise time of a 1:1 aqueous sodium chlorate solution (40 percent)/cellulose mixture and the criteria for Packing Group I are not met.
      3. (iii)Packing Group III, any material which exhibits a mean pressure rise time less than or equal to the pressure rise time of a 1:1 nitric acid (65 percent)/cellulose mixture and the criteria for Packing Group I and II are not met.