49 Transportation 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Rules of construction. 171.9 Section 171.9 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS GENERAL INFORMATION, REGULATIONS, AND DEFINITIONS Applicability, General Requirements, and North American Shipments
§ 171.9 Rules of construction.

(a) In this subchapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) Words imparting the singular include the plural;

(2) Words imparting the plural include the singular; and

(3) Words imparting the masculine gender include the feminine;

(b) In this subchapter, the word: (1) “Shall” is used in an imperative sense;

(2) “Must” is used in an imperative sense;

(3) “Should” is used in a recommendatory sense;

(4) “May” is used in a permissive sense to state authority or permission to do the act described, and the words “no person may * * *” or “a person may not * * *” means that no person is required, authorized, or permitted to do the act described; and

(5) “Includes” is used as a word of inclusion not limitation.

[Amdt. 171-32, 41 FR 15996, Apr. 15, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 171-32A, 41 FR 40630, Sept. 20, 1976; Amdt. 171-121, 58 FR 51528, Oct. 1, 1993; 75 FR 60338, Sept. 30, 2010]