GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

│LECTURE 3│

Classification

Lesson Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the lessons, you are expected to be able to:

 Know the structure of the classification of DGs in classes, divisions and

categories

 Understand the basic characteristics of various classes and divisions of DGs

 Illustrate with examples of various classes and divisions of DGs

 Recognize the IMP codes

 Understand the concepts of precedence of Hazards and able to identify the

primary hazards under multi-hazards cases and the exception rules.

 Understand the concept of packing groups

3. Classification

3.0 General (DGR 3.0) [DGA 3.1 p39p41]

3.0.1 Classifying Dangerous Goods (DGR 3.0.1)

Dangerous goods are defined as:

 those goods which meet the criteria of one or more of 9 UN hazard classes
 to one of 3 UN Packing Groups according to the provisions of this section.
 packing groups relate to the applicable degree of danger within the class. (DGR
3.0.1.1)
3.0.2 Hazard Classes (DGR 3.0.2)
 Nine hazard classes
 Some hazard classes are further subdivided into hazard divisions due to the wide
scope of the class.

Week 1 1
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

Class 1—Explosives (爆炸品)(DGR 3.0.2.1)

Definition (DGR 3.1.1)

Interchange Message Procedures (IMP) codes

IMP: REX, RCX, RGX

Class 1 comprises:
(a) explosive substances (物質) – itself is an explosive
 except those that are too dangerous to transport or those where the
predominant hazard is appropriate to another class;
(b) explosive articles (物品) will not cause any effect external to the device either by
projection, fire, smoke, heat or loud noise (see DGR 3.1.7); and
(c) articles and substances not mentioned under (a) and (b) above which are
manufactured with a view to producing a practical, explosive or pyrotechnic effect.

This Class has six divisions.

Division 1.1—a mass explosion hazard.

IMP: REX

Division 1.2—a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.

IMP: REX

Division 1.3—a minor blast hazard and/or a minor projection hazard but not a mass
explosion hazard.
IMP: REX, RCX, RGX

Division 1.4—presenting no significant hazard.

IMP: REX, RXB, RXC, RXD, RXE, RXG,
- Effect is confined within the package
- Example; distress signals, fuse igniters
IMP: RXS
- No significant hazard. Effect form accidental functioning in confined within
the
package
- Examples: ammunition for hand weapon, for signal, safety fuses, some types
of
fireworks

Week 1 2
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

Division 1.5—Very insensitive substances having a mass explosion hazard.

IMP: REX

Division 1.6—Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard.
IMP: REX

Class 2—Gases (氣體) (DGR 3.0.2.2)

Definition (DGR 3.2.1)

A gas is a substance which: (DGR 3.2.1.1)
(a) at 50°C has a vapour pressure greater than 300 kPa (3.0 bar); or
(b) is completely gaseous at 20°C at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa (1.01 bar).
This Class has three divisions.

Division 2.1—Flammable gas.

IMP: RFG
- Any gas when mixed with air in certain proportion will become flammable
- Examples: butane, hydrogen, propane, acetylene, lighters
Division 2.2—Non-flammable, non-toxic gas.
IMP: RNG/RCL
- Any has that are non-flammable, non-toxic or low temperature liquefied gas
- Example: carbon dioxide, neon, fire extinguisher, liquefied nitrogen or helium Formatted: Underline

Division 2.3—Toxic gas.

IMP: RPG
- Toxic or corrosive , pose a health risk
- low toxicity are permitted , most of the toxic gases are forbidden
- Examples: aerosols, tear gas devices Formatted: Underline

Class 3—Flammable Liquids (易燃液體) (DGR 3.0.2.3)

Definition (DGR 3.3.1)
Class 3 includes the following substances: (DGR 3.3.1.1)
(a) Flammable liquids (see DGR 3.3.1.2 to 3.3.1.5); and
(b) Liquid desensitized explosives (see DGR 3.3.1.6).

Week 1 3
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

- Liquid have a closed cup flash point of 60C degree Celsius or below
- Examples: paints, alcohols, adhesive, acetone, petrol
IMP: RFL
This class has no divisions.
Class 4—Flammable Solids ( 易 燃 固 體 ); Substances Liable to Spontaneous
Combustion ( 易 自 燃 物 質 ); Substances Which, in Contact with Water, Emit
Flammable Gases (遇濕易燃氣體物質)(DGR 3.0.2.4)

This class has three divisions.

Division 4.1—Flammable solids, self-reactive substances, polymerizing substances

and solid desensitized explosives. (DGR 3.4.01)
Properties (DGR 3.4.1.1)
IMP: RFS

Flammable solids (DGR 3.4.1.1) Formatted: Font: Bold

- readily combustible solids

 powdered, granular or pasty substances which are dangerous if they
can be easily ignited by brief contact with an ignition source
 example: burning match
The danger comes from the fire and also from toxic combustion
products.
- solids which may cause fire through friction.
- Metal powders - difficult to be extinguished by normal extinguishing agents
such as carbon dioxide or water

Self-reactive Substances (自身反應物質) (DGR 3.4.1.2)

Definition (DGR 3.4.1.2.1)

Self-reactive substances of Division 4.1
- thermally unstable substances
- liable to undergo a strongly exothermic decomposition
- even without the participation of oxygen (air).

The following substances must not be considered to be self-reactive substances of

Division 4.1:

Week 1 4
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

(a) explosives (爆炸物) according to the criteria of Class 1;

(b) oxidizing substances (氧化物)according to the classification procedure for Division
5.1 (see DGR 3.5.1.2) except that mixtures of oxidizing substances which contain 5.0% or
more of combustible organic substances must be subjected to the classification
procedure defined in DGR 3.4.1.2.2.2 to DGR 3.4.1.2.2.4;
(c) organic peroxides (有機過氧化物)according to the criteria of Division 5.2 (see DGR
3.5.2);
(d) substances where their heat of decomposition is less than 300 J (焦耳)/g; or
(e)substances where their self-accelerating decomposition ( 自 我 加 速 分 解 )
temperature is greater than 75°C for a 50 kg package

Example of Division 4.1 are: matches, Sulphur, celluloid, nitronaphthalene,

Division 4.2—Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion

Definition (DGR 3.4.2.1)
IMP: RSC
Substances which are liable to
- spontaneous heating (自己生熱)under normal conditions encountered in
transport (正常運輸情況)
- to heating up in contact with air (遇空氣生熱), and being then liable to catch
fire.
- Examples: white phosphorus, yellow phosphorus, magnesium diamide
The following types of substances are classified in Division 4.2:
- pyrophoric substances (自燃致熱的); and
- self-heating substances (自熱的).

Division 4.3—Substances Which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases

Definition (DGR 3.4.3.1)

Division 4.3—Substances, which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
(Dangerous when wet).
IMP: RFW
- Substances which, by interaction with water, are liable to become
spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases
- Examples: Calcium carbide, Sodium

Week 1 5
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

Class 5—Oxidizing Substances (氣化劑) and Organic Peroxides (有機過氧化物 )

(DGR 3.0.2.5)
Division 5.1—Oxidizer.
Definition (DGR 3.5.1.1)
IMP: ROX
- Oxidizing substances in themselves are not necessarily combustible
- but may generally cause or contribute to the combustion of other material
by yielding oxygen
- Such substances may be contained in an article.
- Examples: ammonium, Nitrate fertilizer, Calcium chlorate, bleaches

Division 5.2—Organic Peroxides

Definition (3.5.2.1)
IMP: ROP
- organic substances which contain the bivalent structure -O-O- and
- may be considered derivatives of hydrogen peroxide in which one or both of
the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals
- Example: tert-Butyl hydroperoxide

Class 6—Toxic (毒性) and Infectious (傳染性)Substances (DGR 3.0.2.6)

Division 6.1—Toxic substances.

IMP: RPB
- liable to cause death or injury or to harm human health if:
 Swallowed (吞噬)
 Inhaled (吸入)
 contacted by the skin (接觸皮膚)
- Examples: Arsenic, Nicotine, Cyanide, Pesticide, Strychnine Formatted: Underline

Division 6.2—Infectious substances.

Definitions (3.6.2.1)
IMP: RIS/RDS
- Infectious substances are substances contain pathogens.

Week 1 6
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

- Pathogens are defined as micro-organisms (including bacteria, viruses,

rickettsiae, parasites, fungi)
- cause disease in humans or animals. (3.6.2.1.1)
- Examples: Virus, Bacteria such as HIV (ADIS), Rabies, diagnostic specimens,
medical and clinical waste.

Class 7—Radioactive Material (放射性物質) (DGR 3.0.2.7)

Definition (DGR 3.7.1)
Radioactive material
- material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and
the total activity in the consignment exceed the values specified in DGR
10.3.2.
The following radioactive materials are not included in Class 7 for the purposes of these
Regulations:
- (a) implanted or incorporated into a person or live animal for diagnosis or
treatment;
- (b) in consumer products which have received regulatory approval, following
their sale to the end user;
- (c) Natural material and ores
 containing naturally occurring radionuclides which are either in their
natural state,
 or have only been processed for purposes other than for extraction of
the radionuclides,
 and not intended to be processed for use of these radionuclides
provided the activity concentration of the material does not exceed 10
times the values specified in 10.3.2.1(b) or calculated in accordance
with 10.3.2.2 to 10.3.2.5;
- (d) Non-radioactive solid objects with radioactive substances present on any
surfaces in quantities not in excess of the limit specified in the definition of
contamination in 10.3.6.
This class has no sub-divisions.
This class has three categories: I, II, III.
Category I – White RRW
Radioactive materials with low radiation level on the package surface. NO
transport index indicated
Examples: Radionuclides or isotopes for medical or industrial purposes such as
Cobalt 60, Caesium 131 and Iodine 132
Category II – Yellow RRY

Week 1 7
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

Radiation level higher than Category I and a transport index not exceeding 1
Examples: Radionuclides or isotopes for medical or industrial purposes such as
Cobalt 60, Caesium 131 and Iodine 132
Category III – Yellow RRY
Radiation level higher than Category II and/or a transport index exceeding 1 but
not more than 10

Class 8—Corrosives (腐蝕性物質) (DGR 3.0.2.8)

Definition (DGR 3.8.1)
Substances which by chemical action, can cause severe damage when in contact with Formatted: Underline

living tissue or, in the case of leakage will materially damage or even destroy, other Formatted: Underline
Formatted: Underline
goods or the means of transport.
Examples: Battery acids, sulphuric and other acids, sodium hydroxide, potassium
hydroxide, Mercury Formatted: Underline, Highlight
Formatted: Underline
IMP: RCM
This class has no sub-divisions.

Class 9—Miscellaneous (雜項) Dangerous Goods (DGR 3.0.2.9)

Definition (DGR 3.9.1)
Articles and substances, which during air transport, present a danger not covered by
other classes.

This class has no sub-divisions.

IMP: RMD

Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

IMP: RMD
- Any substance which presents a danger during air transportation that is not
covered by other classes.
- May have irritating, noxious or other properties
- Cause extreme annoyance or discomfort to crew members and preventing
them to carry out normal duties
- Example, asbestos, garlic oil, life rafts, internal combustion engines
Class 9 Polymeric beads
IMP: RSB
- Semi-processed polymeric articles
- Impregnated with a flammable gas or liquid as a blowing agent
- Evolve small quantities of flammable gas

Week 1 8
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

Class 9 Carbon Dioxide (Dry Ice)

IMP: ICE
- Carbon dioxide, solid(Dry Ice)
- Temperature of -79C.
- Produce a gas heavier than air in an enclosed area
- lead to suffocation

Class 9 Lithium batteries

IMP: RBM, RLM, ELM, RBI, RLI, ELI
- Lithium metal is very reactive if under irregular charging conditions
- Cause explosion
- Lithium ion cells – built-in protective electronics or fuses to prevent – polarity
reversal, over-voltage and over heating
Examples: Lithium batteries(電池); Lithium batteries contains in equipment (i-phone),
Lithium batteries packed with equipment (手提電話包裝)

3.0.3 Packing Groups (DGR 3.0.3)

According to the degree of danger, packing group were divided into three groups: (DGR
3.0.3.1)
 Packing Group I—high danger.
 Packing Group II—medium danger.
 Packing Group III—low danger.

3.0.4 Multiple Hazards (DGR 3.0.4)

If an article or substance with more than one hazard, how can we deal with it ?
 Subsection 3.10 describes the procedure for determining which hazard takes
precedence (優先) for an article or substance with more than one hazard.
 However, the most stringent (嚴謹) packing group based on the different
hazards must then be the packing group for the article or substance.

3.0.5 Shipper's Responsibility (DGR 3.0.5)

The shipper is responsible for identifying and classifying all dangerous goods intended for
transport by air in compliance with these Regulations. Specifically, before packing any
dangerous goods for transport by air, the shipper must:

(a) identify, correctly and fully, all articles and substances that meet the criteria as dangerous
goods within the consignment;

Week 1 9
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

(b) classify each item of dangerous goods by determining under which of the nine classes it
falls and, where relevant, determining any subsidiary hazards;
(c) where relevant, assign each item of dangerous goods to one of the three packing groups
within the assigned class or division.

Classification of Articles/Substances with Multiple Hazards (DGR 3.10)

Where an article or substance is not specifically listed by name in Subsection 4.2 – List of
Dangerous Goods and has two hazards, the primary hazard must be determined in accordance
with the criteria presented in this subsection.

Precedence of Hazards Table (DGR 3.10.1) Formatted: Highlight

When the two hazards fall within Classes 3, 4 or 8 or Divisions 5.1 or 6.1, Table 3.10.A must Formatted: Highlight

be used to determine which of two hazards must be regarded as the primary hazard. The class
or division, which appears at the intersection of the relevant line and column, is the primary
hazard and the other class or division is the subsidiary hazard. The correct packing group to
be used is also shown at the intersection of the relevant line and column.

Week 1 10
 GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

3.10.1.1 Packing Group

The most stringent packing group based on the different hazards of a material must then be
the packing group for the article or substance and this is shown next to the primary hazard at
the intersection of the relevant line and column.

Exceptions (DGR 3.10.2)

Articles and substances, which meet among other hazards, the criteria for the following
classes, divisions or particular types of hazards are not dealt with by Table 3.10.A since Formatted: Highlight

these classes, divisions or particular types of hazard always take precedence (必然優先): Formatted: Highlight

(a) Classes 1, 2 and 7 (except see 3.10.3); Formatted: Underline

(b) Divisions 5.2 and 6.2 (see also 3.10.5); Formatted: Underline

(c) self-reactive and related substances and solid desensitized explosives of Division 4.1;
(d) pyrophoric substances of Division 4.2;
(e) substances of Division 6.1 with a Packing Group I inhalation toxicity. Except for Formatted: Underline

substances or preparations meeting the criteria of Class 8 having an inhalation toxicity

of dusts and mists (LC50) in the range of Packing Group I, but toxicity through oral ingestion
or dermal contact only in the range of Packing Group III or less, which must be allocated to
Class 8; and
(f) liquid desensitized explosives of Class 3.

Radioactive Materials (DGR 3.10.3)

Radioactive Materials having other hazardous properties must always be classified in Class
7 and the subsidiary risk must also be identified, other than for excepted packages of
radioactive materials where the other hazardous properties take precedence.

Magnetized Material (DGR 3.10.4)

An article, which also meets the criterion for a magnetized material, must be identified in
accordance with the provisions of this subsection and, in addition, as a magnetized material.

Infectious Substances (DGR 3.10.5)

Infectious substances having other hazardous properties must always be classified in
Division 6.2 and the greatest of the additional hazards must also be identified.

Week 1 11
GBS 3108 Introduction to Dangerous Goods Regulations and Cargo Security

Week 1 12