© Jan 2013 Jerry Green Consulting, Inc. www.haztraining.com
Section 7: Packaging
Page 1
The Rule of Packaging
Specification Packagings
UN Performance Oriented Packagings
Packaging requirements vary with the level of risk associated with the materials, however
the rule of packaging for most materials is fairly simple; a specification packaging must
be used. Of course, many exceptions exist to this rule.
Today's modem specification system for many dangerous goods and hazardous materials
is a UN Performance Oriented Packaging System. UN packagings go through a series of
tests designed to emulate what can happen to a package during routine transport. Drop
tests, stack tests, and other testing protocols are performed.
UN packagings bear a unique certification marking which is pictured below:
The UN employs a series of numbers and letters (4G) to identify the system. In this
example, the 4 means the packaging is a box, and the G means it is constructed of
fiberboard.
Packaging Code
Outer Packing
1A1 Steel drum, non-removable head
1A2 Steel drum, removable head
1B1 Aluminum drum, non-removable head
1B2 Aluminum drum, removable head
1D Plywood drum
1G Fibre Drum
1H1 Plastic drum, non-removable head
1H2 Plastic drum, removable head
1N1 Metal Drum, non-removable head
1N2 Metal Drum, removable head
2C1 Wooden barrel, bung type
2C2 Wooden barrel, removable head
3A1 Steel jerrican, non-removable head
3A2 Steel jerrican, removable head
3H1 Plastic jerrican, non- removable head
3H2 Plastic jerrican, removable head
4A Steel box
4B Aluminum box
4C1 Wooden box, ordinary
4C2 Wooden box with sift-proof walls
4D Plywood Box
4F Reconstitued wood box
4G Fibreboard
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Section 7: Packaging
Page 2
UN Specification Package Markings
Combination Packaging
Section 7: Packaging
Page 3
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UN Specification Package Markings
Section 7: Packaging — IATA Page 1
Packaging for Transport
Under the IATA DGR
Air transport is obviously more conservative than the surface modes. The air shipper is subject
to additional requirements such as filling limits, pressure differentials, absorbent materials, and
inner liners.
The General Requirements of IATA 5.0.2
The general requirements for most packaging resides in this subsection and it is conservative.
Please remember that almost all packages (the only exception concerns Class 7) must comply
with the standards of the subsection.
The general requirements are identical to transport by highway in terms of ullage,
compatibility and the inability to offer a compromised packaging. However considerable
differences exist between the modes.
The Problem of Pressure
Due to the pressurization of the aircraft, all packages to be used to hold a liquid must be capable
of withstanding, without leakage, a pressure differential of not less than 95 kPa. Additionally,
pressure issues mandate positive reinforcement of friction closures (such as a paint can lid).
For inner packaging containing liquids, closures must be held securely, tightly and effectively in
place by secondary means. The closure device must be so designed that it is unlikely that it can
be incorrectly or incompletely closed. In the absence of secondary means, the inner packaging(s)
must be placed in a leak-proof liner and then placed in an outer packaging. The previous
provisions in paragraph 5.0.2.12.2 for absorbent material and in paragraph 5.0.2.12.3 for inner
liners have been deleted. When such requirements exist they have now been placed directly in
the applicable packing instructions as Additional Packing Requirements.
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Section 7: Packaging — IATA Page 2
Packaging Selection The Process
Step I: Once you have determined the correct proper shipping name, you must select a packing
instruction. Generally, the amount of material to be packaged will determine if you must use a
cargo aircraft only instruction, or if you can transport the material under a passenger instruction.
Please remember, that if you select a cargo aircraft only instruction, the material must comply
with the Cargo Aircraft Only controls which were previously mentioned.
Step 2: You must always comply with the General Packing Requirements in Subsection 5.0.2.
Remember that compatibility and other issues reside here.
Step 3: If using a UN specification packaging, you must verify that the packaging is eligible for
the material to be placed inside. For example, a PG I material can only be placed in a system
marked with an "X". Remember that combination packages and single packagings for solids
have maximum weight limits.
The Format of the Packing Instructions
Passenger air packing instructions always require compliance with the General Packing
Requirements and typically require a UN Specification Packaging. Single packagings are rarely
permitted. This leaves the shipper to select a combination packaging. Please note that inner
packagings have filling limits imposed by the packing instruction. Some passenger packing
instructions contain coded Particular Packing Requirements (PPRs) which must be complied
with as well.
© Jan 2013 Jerry Green Consulting, Inc. www.haztraining.com
Section 7: Packaging — IATA
Page 3
© Jan 2013 Jerry Green Consulting, Inc. www.haztraining.com
Cargo Aircraft Only packing instructions always require compliance with the General Packing
Requirements and typically require a UN Specification Packaging. Single packagings are
generally permitted. If using a combination packaging please note that inner packagings have
filling limits imposed by the packing instruction. Some cargo aircraft only packing instructions
contain coded Particular Packing Requirements (PPRs) which must be complied with as well.
Section 7: Packaging — IATA Page 4
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Miscellaneous packing instructions exist for benign materials such as
dry ice. Typically these instructions permit the use of a strong outer packaging in place of a UN
specification system.
Section 7: Packaging — IATA Page 5
© Jan 2013 Jerry Green Consulting, Inc. www.haztraining.com
The Q Value
Overpacks
The air regulations do permit the use of a package for different dangerous goods. Obviously, one
becomes concerned with compatibility (which must be ensured through the use of Table 9.3.A)
and filling limits.
The filling limit issue is addressed with a calculation known as a "Q value". This calculation
appears in subsection 5.0.2.11 and is fairly simple. An example follows:
A shipper wishes to place Acetone and Paint (Class 3, PG III) in the same outer
packaging (they are not mixed together). The shipper wishes to place 3 liters of
Acetone in the packaging along with 4 liters of Benzene. The shipper is attempting to
assign a passenger air packing instruction. "Q" is calculated as follows:
Acetone quantity present 3 L Paint quantity present 4 L
Passenger air allowance 5 L Passenger air allowance 60 L
.6 + .066
Q = .666
As long as Q is equal to or less than 1.0, the material can be placed in the same package.
Q must always be rounded up to the first decimal. The value which must be shown on the
transport document therefore becomes .7.
Please consult subsection 5.0.2.11 for possible exceptions and additional information.
Overpacked dangerous goods are permitted but must comply with subsection 5.0.1.5. Please
notice the rules that apply to cargo only overpacks. More overpack rules will be found in
Section 7 (Marking and Labeling) and Section 8 (Documentation).
