REFERENCE INFORMATION

ADR Classes

The ADR-1 class

 

Explosive substances and its products (the class of danger is 1, ADR-1).

 

 

 

 

The ADR-1 classes

 

Explosive substances can explode, according to their characteristics. They also can cause the fire with their explosiveness. They include devices containing explosives and the means of making the explosion that is intended for the pyrotechnic effect.

 

 

 

The ADR-1.1 classes

 

 

Substances and articles that are dangerous with the mass explosion (it is the way of the explosion that almost instantly spreads through the entire freight).

 

 

 

The ADR-1.2 classes

 

Substances and articles that are dangerous with the hazard of scattering but are not perilous with the mass explosion.

 

 

The ADR-1.3 classes

 

Substances and articles that are dangerous with the fire hazard, as well as the insignificant hazard of an explosion or the insignificant hazard of scattering or both but aren’t perilous with the mass explosion and:

(a) that emit a significant quantity of radiant heat during the burning,

(b) they are characterized by the insignificant hazard of an explosion or the insignificant hazard of scattering or both after started burning.

 

 

The ADR-1.4 classes

 

 

Substances and articles that are insignificantly hazardous in an explosion after started burning or being otherwise initiated during the delivery. Effects are expressed mainly inside the package with no emission of fractures of the significant matter or at significant distance. The outer burning shall not be the reason of immediate explosion of the entire content of the pack.

 

 

 

The ADR-1.5 classes

 

Substances of extremely low sensitivity that initially have the possibility of the mass explosion but are of extremely low sensitivity to be initiated or detonated when burning within the normal conditions of the delivery. According to the minimal requirements for these substances, they aren’t supposed to explode during the fire resistance tests.

 

 

 

 

 

The ADR-1.6 classes

 

Substances of extremely low sensitivity that initially have no possibility of the mass explosion. These substances have an extremely insensible composition and are characterized by the paltry probability of occasional initiation or the spreading of the explosion.

 

 

 

The symbol (detonating bomb) is black on the orange background, number “1” is located in the bottom corner.

 

 

The ADR-2 class

 

 

Gasses (the class of the danger is ADR-2)

 

 

The ADR-2 classes

 

Gasses that include the pure gasses, gasses mixtures, the mixtures of one or several gasses with one or several other substances and the articles that contain such substances. The gas is a substance that:

(a) has the steam’s pressure more than 300 kPa (3 bars) with the temperature of 50°C, or

(b) is fully gaseous with the temperature of 20°C with the normal pressure of 101.3 kPa.

2.1. Non-flammable gasses.

2.2. Non-flammable poisonous gasses.

2.3. Flammable gasses.

2.4. Flammable poisonous gasses.

2.5. Chemically unstable gasses.

2.6. Chemically unstable poisonous gasses.

 

 

Additional information about the class

 

The main hazard is the pressure under which the gas is in the capacity. Substances and articles of class 2, gasses, may have various additional perilous properties. Depending on the type of hazard, they are attributed to one of the following types:

 

 

A – asphyxiating,

O – oxidizing,

F – highly flammable,

T – toxic,

TF – toxic, flammable,

TC – toxic, corrosive,

TO – toxic, oxidizing,

TFC – toxic, flammable, corrosive,

TOC – toxic, oxidizing, corrosive.

 

 

Substances and articles of class 2 are further divided onto:

 

  • Compressed gasses: gasses with a critical temperature below 20°C.
  • Liquefied gasses: gasses with a critical temperature of 20°C or higher.
  • The cooled liquefied gasses: gasses, which during the transportation are partly in the liquid state because of their low temperature.
  • Gasses dissolved under pressure: gasses, which dissolved in a solvent during the transportation.
  • Aerosol dispensers and small volumes containing gas (gas containers).
  • Other articles containing gas under pressure.
  • Non-pressurized gasses that are subject to special requirements (gas samples).

 

 

 

 

 

ADR classes:

  • Highly flammable gasses: the symbol (flame) is black or white on the red background, number “2” is located in the bottom corner.
  • Non-flammable and non-toxic gasses: the symbol (gas container) is black or white, number “2” is located in the bottom corner.
  • Toxic gasses.

The ADR-3 class

Highly Flammable liquids (the class of the danger is ADR-3)

The ADR-3 class

Highly flammable liquids that embrace the liquid substances and articles containing the substances of this class that has:

(a) the steam’s pressure no more than 300 kPa (3 bars) with the temperature of 50°C and are not fully gaseous with the temperature of 20°C with the normal pressure of 101.3 kPa, and

(b) a flashpoint is no more than 61°C (see the according test in the 2.3.3.1 section)

Class 3 embraces the liquid and solid substances in the liquefied state with a flashpoint no more than 61°C that are to be transported or are transported in the hot state with the temperature equal to its flashpoint or exceeding it, as well as liquid desensitized explosives – that are explosives dissolved or suspended in the water or any other substance to make the uniform liquid mixture to suppress their explosive properties.

Additional information about the class

 

 

The substance of class 3 is the gasoil, diesel gas, and (light) heating oil with the flashpoint more than 61°C but no more than 100°C. Flammable liquid is to be attributed to one of the following groups depending on the level of their hazard that they represent during the transportation:

 

3.1. Substances with the high degree of hazard: highly flammable liquids with the boiling temperature or the beginning of boiling no more than 35°C and highly flammable liquids with the flashpoint lower than 23°C that are highly toxic or highly corrosive.

3.2. Substances with the medium degree of hazard: highly flammable liquids with the flashpoint lower than 23°C that are not attributed to the previous group.

3.3. Substances with the low degree of hazard: highly flammable liquids with a flashpoint between 23°C and 61°C inclusively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ADR-4 class

 

 

Highly flammable substances and materials (the ADR-4 class)

 

 

 

The ADR-4 class

 

Highly flammable substances and materials (except those that are classified already as explosives) that may easily be inflamed from the outer sources of inflammation as a result of friction, consumption of moist, self-driven chemical reactions, and during the heat-up.

 

 

 

The ADR-4.1. class

 

 

Highly flammable solid substances

 

Class 4.1 embraces the highly flammable substances and articles, desensitized explosives which are solid substances and self-reactive liquids or solids. Highly flammable solid substances are substances that capable of be inflamed easily and hard substances that are capable of starting the flame during the friction. The flammable solid substances may be of the powder, granules, or paste-like forms that may be considered hazardous if they can inflame easily during the short-time contact with the source of the inflammation like the burning match and if the flame is spread fast. Not only may the flame be a source of hazard but the toxic combustion products, too. Metal powders are particularly dangerous as it is difficult to extinguish the flame in this case because conventional fire extinguishing agents such as carbon dioxide or water can even increase the hazard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The symbol (flame) is black on the white background with seven vertical red lines, number “4” is located in the bottom corner.

 

 

 

Additional information about the sub-class

 

 

Solid desensitized explosive substances are substances that are soaked with water or dissolved in spirits or other liquid substances to suppress their explosive properties. Self-reactive substances are thermally unbalanced substances that may be an object of flamboyant chemical exothermic decomposition even without the oxygen or air during the reaction. Some self-reactive substances can be transported only in conditions when the temperature is controlled. In order to ensure safety during the transportation, self-reactive substances are in many cases desensitized by dissolvent.

 

 

 

The ADR-4.2 class

Substances capable of self-inflammation

The ADR-4.2 class embraces:

  • Pyrophoric substances including liquids (solid or liquid) that are self-inflamed even within 5 minutes contact with the air. These substances are the most flammable in class 4.2.
  • Self-heating substances and items – these are ones, including mixtures and solutions that may heat-up by oneself with the air contact without consuming the outside energy. These ones are flammable only in big quantities (kilograms) and only within long time periods (hours or days). The reason of self-heating is the chemical reaction of the substance with oxygen contained in the air when the heat from the reaction is transported not fast enough in the outside environment.

The symbol (flame) is black on the white background at the top and the red background at the bottom, number “4” is located in the bottom corner.

Additional information about the sub-class

The inflaming occurs when the generation of heat is produced faster than its output to the environment and the point of inflammation is reached. Substances and items referred to various positions are assigned to the group of the packing – I, II or III – depending on the test procedures according to Testing and Criterion Guide, part III, paragraph 33.3.

The ADR-4.3. class

 

The substances secreting the highly flammable gasses in the contact with water.

 

 

 

The ADR-4.3. class embraces substances secreting the highly flammable gasses in the contact with water that are capable of making the explosive mixtures with air and also substances containing such substances. Some substances can secret the highly flammable gas mixtures in the contact with water. Such gas mixtures can be easily inflamed from any normal source of the flame – open fire, sparks of hand tools or unprotected light bulbs. The resulting blast wave and flame may endanger people and the environment around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The symbol (flame) is black or white on the blue background, number “4” is located in the bottom corner.

 

 

Additional information about the sub-class

 

Substances and items referred to various positions are assigned to the group of the packing – I, II or III – depending on the test procedures according to Testing and Criterion Guide, part III, paragraph 33.4.

 

 

 

 

The ADR-5 class

 

Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides (The ADR-5 class)

 

 

The ADR-5 classes

 

 

Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides that capable to secret the oxygen easily, keep the flame burning and may cause the inflammation or the explosion in conjunction with other substances.

 

 

The ADR-5.1 class

 

 

Oxidizing substances

 

The ADR-5.1 class embraces the substances that may not be flammable but, using the secreted oxygen, may keep the flame of other substances burning and also the substances containing such substances. Substances and items referred to the ADR-5.1 class are indicated in the list of perilous freights. Attributing the items to according position that are not listed by the name may be performed based on the provided tests, according to test procedures indicated in Testing and Criterion Guide, part III, paragraph 34.4. In the case of any inconsistency between the test results and the practical experience when making the decision about attributing the substance to any category, the practical experience must overwhelm.

 

 

 

 

The symbol (flame above the circle) is black on the yellow background, numbers “5.1.” are located in the bottom corner.

 

 

 

 

Additional information about the sub-class

 

Oxidizing solid substances referred to various positions are assigned to the group of the packing – I, II or III – depending on the test procedures according to Testing and Criterion Guide, part III, paragraph 34.4.1. Oxidizing liquid substances referred to various positions in table A of paragraph 3.2 are assigned to the group of the packing – I, II or III – depending on the test procedures according to Testing and Criterion Guide, part III, paragraph 34.4.2. During the referring of oxidizing substances to various positions not mentioned in table A of paragraph 3.2 to any of the positions listed in paragraph 2.2.51.3 based on the test procedures according to Testing and Criterion Guide, part III, paragraph 34.4.2.

 

 

 

 

 

The ADR-5.2 class

 

 

Organic peroxides

 

The ADR-5.2 class embraces organic peroxides and the contents of organic peroxides. Organic peroxides are organic substances that contain divalent structure -О-О- and may be considered as the derivative products of hydrogen peroxide where one or two atoms are replaced with organic radicals.

 

 

 

The symbol (flame is above the circle) is black on the yellow background, numbers “5.2.” are located in the bottom corner.

 

 

 

Additional information about the sub-class

 

Organic peroxides are prone to exothermic decomposition in the normal and high temperature. Decomposition may start under the influence of heat, contact with admixtures (like acids, heavy metals compositions, and amines), friction or a stroke. The speed of decomposition increases as the temperature increases and is dependent on the contents of the organic peroxide. Decomposition may lead to the occurrence of pernicious or flammable gasses or steams. Some organic peroxides must be transported only if the temperature is regulated. Some organic peroxides may dissolve with an explosion, especially in the closed space. This may be changed if the solvents are added or the appropriate containers are used. Many organic peroxides burn extensively. You must avoid the hit of organic peroxides in your eyes. Some organic peroxides may cause the heavy trauma of the cornea or to dissolve the skin even during the short contact. Organic peroxides are divided into 7 types according to the hazard they represent. Organic peroxides are ranged from A type – peroxides that are disallowed to be transported in the container in which they are tested to G type – peroxides that are not embraced by the requirements of the 5.2 class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ADR-6 class

 

Poisonous and infectious substances (the ADR-6 class)

 

 

 

The ADR-6 class

 

Poisonous and infectious substances that may cause the death, poisoning or illness when getting inside the body or touching a skin or mucosa.

 

 

 

 

The ADR-6.1 class

 

Toxic substances

 

The symbol (the skull and the crossbones) is black on the white background, number “6” is located in the bottom corner.

 

The ADR-6.1 class substances are attributed to three types of package depending on the perilous class they represent.

 

 

  • type of package I: highly toxic substances
  • type of package II: toxic substances
  • type of package III: low toxic substances

 

 

The ADR-6.2 class

 

Infectious substances.

 

The ADR-6.2 class embraces infectious substances. Infectious substances are ones that are considered directly or indirectly as containing pathogen organisms. Pathogen organisms are organisms that are defined as microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, parasites, fungi) or recombinant micro-organisms (hybrid or mutant), in respect of which it is known or there are grounds for believing that they are the causative agents of infectious diseases in animals or humans. Infectious substances are included in Class 6.2 and assigned the UN number 2814 or 2900 depending on the specific case, based on their classification into one of three risk groups based on criteria developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in the second edition (of 1993 year) named “Bio-safety in a laboratory Manual.” A risk group is characterized by the pathogenic properties of the organism itself, the method and relative easiness of transmission, the degree of hazard faced by the individual or the individuals and their group, as well as the possibility to be cured with the help of known and effective preventive agents and treatment.

In the lowest part there may be the inscription “INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES” and “IN CASE IF LOST OR DAMAGED, NOTIFY THE HEALTHCARE BODIES IMMEDIATELY”.

The symbol (three half-moons added to the circle) and the text are black on the white background, number “6” is located in the bottom corner.

Additional information about the sub-class

The following criteria apply depending on the degree of risk for each hazard group:

  • risk group 4 – a pathogen that usually causes serious human or animal disease, easily transmitted, directly or indirectly, by one individual (species) to another and against which there are usually no effective treatment or effective prevention (this means the organism representing a high degree of danger to the individual or species or its groups).
  • risk group 3 – a pathogen that usually causes serious human or animal disease, but which isn’t easily transmitted by one individual (species) to another and against which there usually are effective treatment or effective prevention (this means the organism representing a high degree of danger to the individual or species but low danger to its groups).
  • risk group 2 – a pathogen that may cause human or animal disease, but which isn’t a cause of serious danger and against which there is usually effective treatment or effective prevention that decreases the risk of spreading of this illness though it may cause the acute infection as the result of its exposure (this means the organism representing a low degree of danger to the individual or species and low danger to its groups)

The ADR-7 class

 

Radioactive materials (The ADR-7 class of danger).

 

 

 

 

The ADR-7 class

 

Radioactive materials are any type of material containing radionuclides where their active concentration and the total activeness of the freight exceed the prescribed values. The main jeopardy is the radioactive ray beams in the form of alpha, beta or gamma rays.

 

 

 

The ADR-7 class. Category I.

 

The white symbol (the trefoil) is black on the white background, number “7” is located in the bottom corner. The obligatory text is as follows: “RADIOACTIVE”, “CONTAINING”, “ACTIVITY”. One vertical red stripe should follow the “RADIOACTIVE” word and the number “7” should be located in the bottom corner.

 

 

 

 

The ADR-7 class. Category II.

 

The yellow symbol (the trefoil) is black with the following background: the top is yellow in the white frame, the lower part is white. The obligatory text is as follows: “RADIOACTIVE”, “CONTAINING”, “ACTIVITY”. In the black rectangle, there is “TRANSPORT INDEX”. Two vertical red stripes should follow the “RADIOACTIVE” word and the number “7” should be located in the bottom corner.

 

 

 

 

The ADR-7 class. Category III.

 

The yellow symbol (the trefoil) is black with the following background: the top is yellow in the white frame, the lower part is white. The obligatory text is as follows: “RADIOACTIVE”, “CONTAINING”, “ACTIVITY”. In the black rectangle, there is “TRANSPORT INDEX”. Three vertical red stripes should follow the “RADIOACTIVE” word and the number “7” should be located in the bottom corner.

 

 

The ADR classes.

 

The dividing material is of 7th class: The obligatory text is as follows: black in the top part of the sign: “DIVIDING MATERIAL”, in the black rectangle in the lower part of the sign: “SECURITY INDEX ACCORDING TO CRITICALITY”, the number “7” should be located in the bottom corner.

 

 

 

 

Additional information about the sub-class

 

The additional hazards are: substances may be self-inflaming, or lead to inflammation, or be corrosive, or may lead to the freeing of the heat energy. The possible damage caused by the ray radiation: burns, disorders of the immune system, blood composition changes, hair loss, cancer, leukemia, genetic disorders manifested in offspring, and death. Safety of the transportation is achieved by careful observation of all the requirements for the transportation of radioactive materials.

 

 

 

 

The ADR-8 class.

 

Corrosive substances (The ADR-8 class of hazard)

 

 

 

The ADR-8 classes.

 

Corrosive substances including the substances and articles containing the substances of this class, which due to own chemical properties, may affect the epithelial tissue – skin or mucosa – during the contact with which or when leaked or activated, may occur the damages or demolition of other freights or vehicles and may cause other types of hazards. The name of this class embraces other substances that produce the corrosive liquids only with the presence of water or produce the corrosion vapors or mists with available natural humidity of the air.

The substances of the ADR-8 class are attributed to the following three types of package depending on the degree of hazard that they represent during the transportation:

8.1. (type of package I)

Acids, highly corrosive substances.

8.2. (type of package II)

Alkali, corrosive substances.

8.3. (type of package III)

Different caustic and corrosive substances, slightly corrosive substances.

The symbol (liquids pouring out from the test-tubes striking the hand or metal) is black with the following background: the top is white, the lower part is black with a white border. The number “8” is in the bottom corner.

The ADR-9 classes.

 

Other perilous substances and items that embrace the substances and items, during the transportation of which they are hazardous, not specified by other classes. Perilous substances and items of the ADR-9 class include:

 

 

 

  • substances, which dust may be a subject of hazard to health if inhaled,
  • substances and items that may excrete dioxins during burning,
  • substances excreting highly flammable vapor,
  • lithium batteries,
  • rescue means,
  • substances that are hazardous to the environment:
    • Liquid pollutant of water,
    • Solid pollutant of water,
    • Genetically modified microorganisms and organisms,
  • substances that are:
    • liquid when the temperature is increased,
    • Solid when the temperature is increased,
    • Other substances that are matter of hazard during the transportation, but do not fall under the definition of other classes.

 

Additional information about the class

The substances of the ADR-9 class are attributed to the following three types of package depending on the degree of hazard that they represent during the transportation:

  • Package of type II: substances with medium hazard,
  • Package of type III: substances with low hazard.

Substances with the increased temperature include substances that are transported or shall be transported in the liquid state with the temperature not lower than 100°C and – if they have the flashpoint – lower than their flashpoint. They also include solid substances that are transported or shall be transported with the temperature not lower than 240°C. During their transportation, the vehicles and car cisterns and other specially equipped vehicles must have the following distinguishing sign on the sides and on the back during the transportation of bulk/loose freights:

ADR classes

 

Car containers-cisterns, transported cisterns, special containers and specially equipped containers for transportation of bulk/loose freights must have this distinguishing sign on the sides, on the front and on the back:

The symbol (seven vertical stripes in the upper half) is black on the white background. The underlined number “9” is in the bottom corner.

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