173.168—Chemical oxygen generators.
An oxygen generator, chemical (defined in § 171.8 of this subchapter) may be transported only under the following conditions:
(a) Approval.
A chemical oxygen generator that is shipped with an explosive or non-explosive means of initiation attached must be classed and approved by the Associate Administrator in accordance with the procedures specified in § 173.56 of this subchapter.
(b) Impact resistance.
A chemical oxygen generator, without any packaging, must be capable of withstanding a 1.8 meter drop onto a rigid, non-resilient, flat and horizontal surface, in the position most likely to cause actuation or loss of contents.
(c) Protection against inadvertent actuation.
A chemical oxygen generator must incorporate one of the following means of preventing inadvertent actuation:
(A)
Two pins, installed so that each is independently capable of preventing the actuator from striking the primer;
(B)
One pin and one retaining ring, each installed so that each is independently capable of preventing the actuator from striking the primer; or
(C)
A cover securely installed over the primer and a pin installed so as to prevent the actuator from striking the primer and cover.
(ii)
Electrically actuated devices: The electrical leads must be mechanically shorted and the mechanical short must be shielded in metal foil.
(iii)
Devices with a primer but no actuator: A chemical oxygen generator that has a primer but no actuating mechanism must have a protective cover over the primer to prevent actuation from external impact.
(2)
A chemical oxygen generator installed in a PBE must contain a pin installed so as to prevent the actuator from striking the primer, and be placed in a protective bag, pouch, case or cover such that the protective breathing equipment is fully enclosed in such a manner that the protective bag, pouch, case or cover prevents unintentional actuation of the oxygen generator.
(d) Packaging.
A chemical oxygen generator and a chemical oxygen generator installed in equipment, (e.g., a PBE) must be placed in a rigid outer packaging that—
(i)
Part 178, subparts L and M, of this subchapter at the Packing Group I or II performance level; or
(ii)
The performance criteria in Air Transport Association (ATA) Specification No. 300 for a Category I Shipping Container.
(2)
After September 30, 2009, with its contents, is capable of meeting the following additional requirements when transported by cargo-only aircraft:
(e) Equipment marking.
The outside surface of a chemical oxygen generator must be marked to indicate the presence of an oxygen generator (e.g., “oxygen generator, chemical”). The outside surface of equipment containing a chemical oxygen generator that is not readily apparent (e.g., a sealed passenger service unit) must be clearly marked to indicate the presence of the oxygen generator (example: “Oxygen Generator Inside”).
(f) Items forbidden in air transportation.
(1)
A chemical oxygen generator is forbidden for transportation on board a passenger-carrying aircraft.
(2)
A chemical oxygen generator is forbidden for transportation by both passenger-carrying and cargo-only aircraft after:
[72 FR 4455, Jan. 31, 2007, as amended at 72 FR 55097, Sept. 28, 2007; 74 FR 2259, Jan. 14, 2009; 74 FR 53188, Oct. 16, 2009]