Package Module Module Page 2

Load Thresholds

Transport Category	Total litres / Kgs of packaged	Dangerous goods
0	No lower limit	Very dangerous
1	20
2	333
3	1000
4	Unlimited	Hardly dangerous

Therefore:–

• Cat 1 is 50 x more hazardous than Cat 3 1000 (Cat 3) / 20 (Cat 1) = 50
• Cat 2 is 3 x more hazardous than Cat 3 1000 (Cat 3) / 333 (Cat 2 = 3

To calculate if a load is regulated:– 10 Kg of Cat 1 = 10 x 50 = 500
100 Kg of Cat 2 = 200 x 3 = 600
700 Kg of Cat 3 = 700 x 1 = 700
1800 if it exceeds 1000 it is regulated.

Packaging Exemption from the regulations:–

• Radioactive material.
• Private carriage.
• Material used in connection with the function of the vehicle.
• The Military.
• Some agricultural operations.
• By exemption certificate.

Receptacle = The innermost part of any packaging that is direct contact with the goods.
Package = The unit of handling in transport. e.g. a 50 gallon drum is both receptacle and package. A 1 Lt bottle will be put into a box of say 10.

Package Approval System
A UN approved package may be used under any regulations worldwide for the transport of dangerous goods for which it was approved.
A UN approval system requires a prototype package to undergo tests these include:–

• Drop test.
• Leak proof test.
• Stacking test.
• Pressure test.

Once approved the package will bear an approval symbol and a code.