Dangerous goods are divided into 9 Classes of articles which meet defined criteria. The nine
Classes and the three Packing Groups are as determined by the UN Committee of Experts
on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. In some cases, certain CLASSES are divided into
DIVISIONS to allow for easier classification. It is the shippers responsibility to ensure that
each item is identified correctly, classified into one of nine Classes, including the
identification of any subsidiary risk, and assign each item to one of three Packing Groups.
The UN Classes relate to the TYPE of hazard and the UN Packing Groups relate to the
DEGREE of danger.
Class 1 Explosives.
Class 2 Gases
.
Class 3 Flammable liquids.
Class 4 Flammable solids; Substances liable to spontaneous combustion; Substances
which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases.
. Class 5 Oxidizing substances and Organic peroxides.
Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances.
Class 7 Radioactive materials.
Class 8 Corrosives.
Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods
Classes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 are divided into DIVISIONS. Class 1 is also divided into
COMPATIBILITY GROUPS, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, N and S depending on what they
contain. i.e. DIVISION 1.4S, where the CLASS is 1, the DIVISION is 4 and the
COMPATIBILITY group is S.
Packing Groups
Packing Group I High Danger.
Packing Group II Medium Danger.
Packing Group III Low Danger.
CLASS 1–EXPLOSIVES
These are divided into six DIVISIONS (DIV) relating to the TYPE of hazard.
(Div. 1.1 Mass explosive hazard. (Forbidden for carriage by air)
Div. 1.2 Projection hazard but no mass explosive hazard. (Forbidden for carriage
by air).
Div. 1.3 Fire hazard with either minor blast damage or projection hazard. (Forbidden
for carriage by air with minor exceptions
Div. 1.4 Articles and substances that present no significant hazard.
Substances in this division are placed in Compatibility group “S” when they
are so packed as to confine any hazard to that package unless it has been
damaged by fire, in which case all blast or projection effects are limited in that
they do not significantly hinder fire-fighting or other emergency efforts in the
immediate vicinity of that package.
Div. 1.5 Very insensitive substances that have a mass explosion hazard. (Forbidden
for carriage by air).
Div. 1.6 Extremely insensitive articles demonstrating negligible probability of
accidental
initiation or propagation. (Forbidden for carriage by air).
CLASS 2–GASES
May be found on passenger or cargo aircraft.
This group is divided into three DIVISIONS relating to the type of hazard
Division 2.1 Flammable Gas: These are gases that are ignitable in a 13% or less
volume with air. (Only flammable gas in aerosols are allowed on SV
passenger flights).
Division 2.2 Non Flammable, Non Toxic Gas: These are gases which dilute or
replace the oxygen in the air and thus act as asphyxiants, or are
oxidizing, i.e. they contribute to combustion more than air does.
Division 2.3 Toxic Gas: These are gases that are known to be toxic or corrosive
to humans and pose a hazard to health.
Note: Aerosols, regardless of content, are classified as Class 2 Gases
7.11
CLASS 7–RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
May be found on passenger or cargo aircraft.
Definitions
Radioactive Material
Substances that spontaneously or continuously emit certain types of ionizing radiation
which can be harmful to health but which cannot be detected by any of the human senses.
The measurement of activity is in Bequerels (Bq), measurement of exposure is Coulombs
per kilogram (C/kg) and the dose equivalent is measured in Sievert (Sv).
Transport Index (TI)
A. Transport Index (TI) is a single number assigned to a package, overpack or freight
container used to provide control over radiation exposure. It is also used to establish
categories for labelling, to determine whether transport under exclusive use is required;
to establish spacing requirements during storage in transit, and to define the number
of packages allowed in a freight container or aboard an aircraft. The TI is determined
as described in 10.5.14.1.1 and 10.5.14.1.2 (IATA DGR).
B. The number expressing the maximum radiation level in micro sieverts divided by 10,
(this gives mrems/hour), at 1 meter from the surface of the package. Used to provide
control over radiation exposure.
C. The transport index of an overpack, i.e. a pack containing more than one radioactive
package, is the sum of all the transport indices of all the individual packages within that
overpack or the transport index for radiation control, if higher.
D. The transport index of a freight container is the sum of all the individual transport
indices of all the individual packages or overpackages within that container or the
transport index for radiation control, if higher.
Transport index is only required for Category II and Category III Radioactive
consignments.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS IN “EXCEPTED PACKAGES” ARE ALLOWED BUT NOTE
THAT CATEGORIZATION, PACKING, LABELLING, SHIPPERS DECLARATION AND
NOTOC ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR THESE ITEMS. ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF
THESE AND THE IATA DGRS ARE REQUIRED.
“Exclusive Use”. The sole use by a single shipper of a cargo aircraft or large containers
with a minimum length of 6m in respect of which all initial intermediate and final loading is
carried out with the directions of the shipper or consignee. Any residual space may be
utilized by that shipper only for the transport of other nonradioactive materials.
7.12 FISSILE MATERIAL
Certain radioactive material, that can reach criticality if sufficient amounts are put together
in one place and under certain conditions, is called fissile or fissionable material. This
means that an uncontained nuclear chain reaction could develop.
For the purpose of the IATA DGR and the SLM, the only fissile materials being referred to
are: uranium-233 and -235, plutonium-239 and -241, and any combination of these items.
The requirements of IATA DGR involve criticality control as well as radiation control.
Packages of fissile material with a TI of more than zero must not be carried in an overpack.
Note: Fissile Radioactive material will not be accepted for carriage onboard SVA
aircraft.
7.13 SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS
If the radioactive material does not comply with the requirements of IATA DGR it can only
be carried under special arrangements, with packing and other conditions as may be
specified by the competent authorities of the states concerned. For international shipments
multilateral approval is required for countries in which the aircraft touches ground, not for
overflight.
Prior approval is required for the carriage of Radioactive material to Saudi Arabia
unless it is intended for medical purposes. This approval must be attached to the
shipping documents.
The final destination of radioactive material must be Jeddah, Riyadh or Dammam
only, except those for medical purposes which may be imported to any point.
Class 7 is divided into Categories and labelled accordingly.
