Orientation of Placard Holder
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration · Nov 13, 1997 · Reference No. 97-0102
This is in response to your inquiry regarding the display of placards in a placard holder as prescribed by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR 171-180). As described and shown in the enclosed information and photographs, the placard holder was mounted on a vehicle so that the bars on the holder were vertical instead of horizontal.
The placard holder, as prescribed in Appendix C to Part 172, was designed to be installed in a manner that the bars are in a horizontal orientation. In this orientation, the bars on the placard holder do not obscure or cover portions of the placard that can contain hazard text or the identification number. Accordingly, as shown in the enclosed photographs, the placard holder is not mounted in the manner prescribed in the HMR.
A letter of interpretation applies the regulations to the facts the requester described. It isn’t a regulation and isn’t legal advice. The agency’s copy.