What 173.24B1 means in plain language
FMCSR 173.24B1 covers the release of hazardous materials from a package during transport. If inspectors find evidence that hazmat leaked, spilled, or escaped from its container while your truck was in motion or parked, you can be cited under this code.
This isn't about minor seepage or condensation. The violation triggers when hazmat actually leaves its packaging—whether that's a drum, tank, case, or other DOT-approved container. The material, quantity, and substance type don't change the citation itself, but they absolutely affect the severity of the enforcement response and any downstream liability.
The key point: once hazmat is released, you've created an immediate public safety and environmental risk. Inspectors treat this as a serious violation, which is why the enforcement numbers look the way they do.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, we've documented 306 all-time citations for 173.24B1. In the last 12 months alone, that's 166 citations, with 33 in the last 90 days. The code ranks 1,078th out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—not the most common violation, but far from rare in the hazmat world.
Here's the critical number: 98.0% of all 173.24B1 citations result in an out-of-service order. That means if you're cited, your truck is almost certainly being taken out of service immediately. Our data shows 300 out-of-service placements against only 6 that were not. For comparison, the all-FMCSR average OOS rate is 31.4%. This code is more than 3 times more likely to trigger an OOS order than a typical violation.
The trend over the past year shows citations clustering in late 2025 and early 2026, with October 2025 and January 2026 each seeing 26 and 21 citations respectively. If you haul hazmat, the enforcement intensity on this violation is real and consistent.
Who gets cited most
Our last 180 days of data show Texas dominates the citation count with 88 citations and an OOS rate of 94.3%. Illinois follows with 4 citations (100% OOS rate), and North Carolina and New Mexico each have 1 citation (both resulting in OOS orders).
Texas accounts for the vast majority of recent enforcement activity on this code. The OOS rate variation between Texas (94.3%) and the national 98.0% is minimal—suggesting that inspectors across different states apply nearly identical enforcement standards when hazmat is actually released.
Our all-time carrier data shows fleets such as Transportes Nari S.A. de C.V. with 8 citations and Julio Rodolfo Gonzalez Olveda with 7 citations. This reflects the real-world carrier mix hauling hazmat, not a pattern of systematic negligence. Any carrier moving liquid or bulk hazmat is statistically in the violation pool.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
Hazmat codes cluster tightly in enforcement severity. For context:
177.834A-HMC (General loading/unloading of hazmat) has logged 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate. 177.834(a) (also general loading/unloading) shows 3,839 citations and 97.9% OOS. Both are significantly higher in citation volume than 173.24B1, but the OOS rates are nearly identical—99% versus our 98%.
177.823(a) (Movement of damaged hazmat packages) has 1,829 citations but only a 51.8% OOS rate. That's a notable difference: inspectors are much stricter about actual releases than about transporting packages they deem damaged. 177.817(a) (Placarding violation) shows 2,274 citations but only 75.1% OOS.
The takeaway: a 173.24B1 citation is treated as severely as the most serious hazmat loading violations—because the hazmat is already loose. It's worse than a placard error and far worse than a damaged-package violation.
How to avoid it
Our co-occurring violation patterns reveal what typically happens alongside a 173.24B1 citation:
-
Maintenance and inspection issues dominate the pattern. Code 396.3A1 (Inspection repair and maintenance of parts and accessories) co-occurs in 8 of the last 90 days' inspections. Code 396.5B (Fuel system leak) appears 5 times. Code 396.17C (No proof of periodic inspection) appears 4 times. Action: Before every hazmat load, run a full walk-around inspection of your entire cargo system—tank seals, hose connections, valve closures, and any visible leaks on fuel or cargo lines. Don't skip the DOT-required periodic inspection; have documentation ready.
-
Lighting and structural defects are secondary markers. Code 393.9 (Inoperable required lamp) and 393.78 (Windshield condition defective) appear in 7 and 4 co-occurring inspections respectively. This suggests inspectors are finding hazmat leaks alongside vehicles that have broader maintenance gaps. Action: Treat your entire rig as a system. A windshield defect or a burned-out lamp doesn't cause a leak, but it signals you're not doing full pre-trips. Do them anyway.
-
Placarding violations co-occur in 5 inspections. Code 177.817A appears alongside 173.24B1. Action: Check your placards before departure—not just for presence, but for condition. A deteriorated placard suggests the vehicle is aging and may have hidden seal degradation.
-
The vehicle makes most cited are freights (73 citations), peterbilts (64), and Kenworths (57). These are the workhorses of the hazmat fleet. Action: If you drive one of these—and statistically many of you do—add an extra 10 minutes to your pre-trip focused on cargo containment. Check tank fittings, clamps, and drain plugs specifically.
Concrete pre-trip steps:
- Visually inspect all hose and line connections on your tank or cargo system for moisture, staining, or drips.
- Verify all caps, plugs, and dome covers are hand-tight and seated properly.
- Check the valve handles—they should be in the closed position and show no signs of corrosion or damage.
- Review your DOT periodic inspection certificate before loading; if it's overdue, get one before you roll.
- Walk the perimeter of your entire rig looking for any fluid residue—especially around fuel and cargo lines.
- Confirm all placards are present, legible, and affixed per spec.
A 173.24B1 citation is nearly certain to pull you out of service for hours or days. Prevention is 100% simpler than managing the consequences.