344 Flammable Solids (Hazard Class 4)

344.1 Definition

Hazard Class 4 consists of three divisions:

1. Division 4.1, Flammable Solids. Any solid material other than one classed as an explosive that, under conditions normally incident to transportation, is likely to cause fires through friction or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or that can be ignited readily and, when ignited, burns so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious transportation hazard.
2. Division 4.2, Spontaneously Combustible. A liquid or solid pyrophoric material that even in small amounts and without an external ignition source can ignite within 5 minutes after coming in contact with air, or a self–heating material that when in contact with air and without an energy supply is liable to self heat.
3. Division 4.3, Dangerous When Wet. A material that, by contact with water, is likely to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable or toxic gas at a rate greater than 1 liter per kilogram of the material per hour.

Examples of flammable solids include certain metallic hydrides, metallic sodium and potassium, oily fabrics, processed metals, matches, and nitrocellulose products.

344.2 Mailability

The following conditions apply:

1. International Mail. All flammable solids are prohibited.
2. Domestic Mail via Air Transportation. All flammable solids are prohibited.
3. Domestic Mail via Surface Transportation. A flammable solid that can qualify as an ORM–D material is permitted.

344.21 Nonmailable Flammable Solids

When flammable solids that are nonmailable under 344 and DMM 601.10.14 are found in the mailstream, the procedures in POM 139.117 must be followed, if the materials present an immediate threat to persons or property. When there is no immediate threat to persons or property, follow the procedures in POM 139.118.

Strike–anywhere matches are nonmailable in international mail and domestic mail. Safety matches (book, card, or strike–on–box) are nonmailable in international and domestic mail via air transportation.

344.22 Mailable Flammable Solids

The following are mailable:

1. Flammable solids that are eligible to be reclassed as ORM–D materials are permitted in the domestic mail via surface transportation.
2. Safety matches (book, card, or strike–on–box) are permitted only in domestic mail via surface transportation.

344.3 Packaging, Marking, and Documentation

The following conditions apply:

1. Mailable Flammable Solids. The conditions in Packaging Instruction 4A in Appendix C must be followed. Mailpieces containing mailable
   Class 4 materials must be plainly and durably marked on the address side with “ORM–D” immediately following or below the proper shipping name (i.e., Consumer Commodity). A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is not required.
2. Safety Matches. The conditions in Packaging Instruction 4B in Appendix C must be followed. Mailpieces must be plainly and durable marked on the address side with “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only” and, as applicable, “Book Matches,” “Strike–on–Card Matches,” or “Card Matches.” A shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods is not required.
3. Optionally, mailable limited quantity (ORM-D) material may be marked with an approved surface transportation DOT limited quantity square-on-point marking (see Exhibit 325b). Mailable surface shipments bearing the plain square-on-point marking are not required to be marked with the shipping name and identification number. The following also applies:
1. Markings must be durable, legible, and readily visible.
2. The marking must be applied on at least one side or one end of the outer packaging. The border forming the square-on-point must be at least 2 mm in width, and the minimum dimension of each side must be 100 mm, unless the package size requires a reduced size marking of no less than 50 mm on each side.
3. The top and bottom portions of the square-on-point and the border forming the square-on-point must be black, and the center must be white or of a suitable contrasting background.