Hello Doctor,

I am seeking assistance with a model rocketry-related "political project."

As a result of my activities helping a 100% disabled Vietnam combat veteran friend of mine secure Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits (after he was repeatedly denied benefits--his case is ongoing), I have gotten to know the staff of a federal legislator who is in a position to do something about restoring the common-sense postal regulations for mailing hobby rocket motors that were in place before 9/11. I will visit this legislator's staff next week regarding my friend's SSDI case, and I would also like to give them a letter concerning the motor-mailing postal regulations because this legislator is very pro-free enterprise and opposed to unreasonable regulations that harm commerce.

Could you (and/or any other YORF members) direct me to the specific U.S. Postal Service motor mailing regulations as they were *before* 9/11, as well as the current regulations (including the part or parts regarding the motor mailing permits)?

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help with this!

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

I know I am not RD, but I could help jumping in here. Please forgive me.

For current requirements start here with USPS Publication 52. There is a specific subsection I am thinking of that refers to rocket motors but I can't remember the section off the top of my head.

http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/welcome.htm

I'll dig through my old papers to see if I have anything pre-9/11.

- Rich

.

The USPS regulations were designed to control the shipment of pyrotechnics containing powders. Even Estes motors are compressed BP to a slow burning chunk.

APCP has been RULED not an explosive by a FEDERAL JUDGE.

Therefore "slow burning solids" under the threshold determined in the federal lawsuit should be exempt from both USPS and DOT regulation unless they exceed a threshold amount, then some sort of review might be reasonable, perhaps 50-75 pounds per container (USPS methodology) and 1000 Lb per shipment (DOT methodology). That much should be fully exempt.

Now keep in mind I am talking about propellant grains, propellant in motors, APCP, BP, KPCP, or any other slow burning solid, that has a primary purpose to not explode.

The current individual unit mass limit is 30g. As a minimum that figure should be raised to 2Kg.

Exemptions not codified regulations.

Jerry

I thank you both very much for your replies! Starting with the link above, I found the following three sub-sections in the U.S. Postal Regulations that pertain to model rocket motors:

322 Postal Service Regulations that mention Division 1.4S Toy Propellant Devices (see: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_003.htm#ep898369 )

341.22 Mailable Explosives (see: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_016.htm#ep898682 )

Appendix C, USPS Packaging Instructions for Mailable Hazardous Materials (see: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52...01.htm#ep100120 )

The texts of these three sub-sections appear (superficially at least) to be contradictory, but if I understood them correctly, someone who wants to mail a parcel containing model rocket motors and igniters has to obtain written permission from the Manager of Mailing Standards at USPS Headquarters in Washington, DC. Once that is done, the parcel has to be labeled or marked either "Model Rocket Motors and Igniters" *or* "Division 1.4S Toy Propellant Device" *or* "Division 1.4S Explosive" *or* "Hazard Class 1A Toy Propellant Device" (or maybe a combination of all four?).

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

** ADDENDUM ** -- These three pages (see: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52...01.htm#ep100120 , http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_002.htm , and http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_003.htm ) give the packaging and labeling instructions:

The proper shipping name for a mailable toy propellant device is “model rocket motor” or “igniter.” A device that is assigned identification number NA0323 or UN0454 and classed as a Division 1.4S explosive is eligible for mailing in domestic mail via surface transportation only, provided that all requirements are met and the device is properly packaged as follows.

Proper Shipping Name and ID Number:

Model Rocket Motors, NA0323.
Igniters, UN0454.

Required Authorization:

Prior written permission must be obtained from the Manager, Mailing Standards, USPS Headquarters, Washington, DC (see DMM 608.8 for mailing address).

Mailability:

International Mail: Prohibited.
Domestic Mail: Permitted only via surface transportation sent as Standard Mail or Parcel Post and with prior approval. Each device must meet the specifications in 341.22a.

Design Specifications:

Mailable devices must meet each of the following conditions:

Each device must be ignitable by electrical means only.
Each device must contain no more than 30g (1.07 ounces) of propellant.
Each device must produce less than 80 newton seconds of total impulse with thrust duration not less than 0.050 second.
Each device must be constructed so that all chemical ingredients are preloaded into a cylindrical paper or similarly constructed nonmetallic tube that does not fragment into sharp, hard pieces.
Each device must be designed so that it will not burst under normal conditions.
Each device must be incapable of spontaneous ignition under 500° F.
Each device must not contain any type of explosive or pyrotechnic warhead other than a small, activation–charge, parachute–recovery system.

Required Packaging:

Primary Receptacle--

Each device must be packed in a securely sealed primary receptacle.
Multiple primary receptacles are permitted within a single mailpiece.
Each primary receptacle must be surrounded by sufficient cushioning material to absorb shock and prevent breakage.

Outer Shipping Container--

A strong outer packaging that is capable of firmly and securely holding the primary receptacle(s) and cushioning material is required.
Each mailpiece must not exceed a total weight of 25 pounds.

Marking--

Each outer packaging must be clearly marked on the address side with “Toy Propellant Devices,” followed by the applicable proper shipping name and UN or NA number. The markings “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and “Handle With Care” must also appear on the address side of the mailpiece. A DOT hazardous materials warning label must not be affixed.
A complete mailing address and return address must be used.

Documentation:

A properly completed shipper's declaration for dangerous goods must be prepared in triplicate and affixed to the outside of the mailpiece.
Note: Full responsibility rests with the mailer to comply with DOT and ATF regulations before mailing. A legible photocopy of the Mailing Standards Manager's approval letter [whose office's address is given below] must be presented by the mailer to the postal acceptance clerk at the time of mailing.

Mailing Standards
Attention: Manager
US Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446
Washington, DC 20260-4446

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

Rich, I very much appreciate your looking up the pre-9/11 postal regulations for mailing motors! Being able to show the old regulations that did *not* require the written permission of the Mailing Standards Manager or an "in-triplicate" hazardous materials declaration will help me make my case to the legislator; since individuals and vendors mailed motors safely *without* the current red tape, there is no reason why they could not do so again.

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

Following the Required Packaging - > Marking section in Appendix C I use a label that says the following:


.

Thank you for posting the label template. Do you have a permission letter from the Mailing Standards Manager? If so, is it a "blanket permission" or do you have to get a similar permission letter every time you mail a parcel of motors?

__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR

Before sticking your nose in this hornet's nest, I would advise caution and contacting the manufacturers first. and maybe the NAR secondly.

If the manufacturers of BP propellant wanted more lenient postal shipping regulations, they would have long ago applied for such. I am talking here specifically about Estes E motors .

The postal regs include up to 35g APCP motors also without hazmat. If those manufacturers also wanted more lenient regulations, again they would have long ago applied for such.

This leads me to believe that the manufacturers have already applied for >35g exemptions and the postal service has denied them for safety and other considerations.

The person that probably knows the most about this is Mary Roberts at Estes. I would advise contacting here or any the other manufacturers.



Terry Dean

__________________
"Old Rocketeer's don't die; they just go OOP".....unless you 3D print them.

While I don't like regulation, I agree. If anything gets changed, it is likely to be for the worse. Unlike APCP, BP really is an explosive. The fact that it's compressed into a slug won't matter to the powers that be. This is something that would likely blow up in our faces if pressed....no pun intended.

__________________
I love sanding.