Ask X3What does 49 CFR 173.161 (Chemical kits and first aid kits) require?
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As Ask X3, your fleet-compliance assistant, here is what 49 CFR 173.161 requires for chemical kits and first aid kits:
* Authorized Contents: Kits may only contain compatible hazardous materials that have packaging exceptions in Column 8(A) of the § 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Materials forbidden on passenger or cargo aircraft are prohibited.
* Packing Group & Shipping Papers: The kit's overall packing group must be the most stringent packing group of any individual substance inside, and it must appear on the shipping paper (unless the kit contains only materials with no assigned packing group).
* Packaging Rules (General & Ground): Except for aircraft or vessel transport, kits must use combination packagings that conform to subpart B.
* Inner Packaging Limits:
* Generally, liquid inner packagings cannot exceed 250 mL (with specific exceptions for organic peroxides).
* Solid inner packagings generally cannot exceed 250 g (with specific exceptions for organic peroxides).
* Outer Packaging Limits:
* No more than 10 L or 10 kg of hazardous material may be in one outer package (excluding dry ice).
* The total gross weight of each package cannot exceed 30 kg (66 pounds).
* No other hazardous materials may be packed in the same outer package as the kits, except for solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), which must follow § 173.217.
* Absorbent and Cushioning: Kits must include enough absorbent material to completely absorb any liquid hazardous materials. Contents must be cushioned, separated, and packed to prevent damage and avoid any dangerous evolution of heat or gas.
* Exceptions and Markings: Kits conforming to 49 CFR 173.161 are exempt from shipping paper requirements unless they are a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, marine pollutant, or transported by aircraft or vessel. They may be marked as a limited quantity per § 172.315, and when so marked, are not subject to rail (Part 174) or highway (Part 177) carriage requirements. Kits carried on board transport vehicles for first aid or operating purposes are exempt from the subchapter entirely.