Useful info :: Dangerous goods classification

For ease of identification of dangerous goods, the international community has created a classification system. All dangerous goods are included in one of the nine primary classes. In some cases it has also been necessary to sub-divide some of the classes into divisions in order to adequately provide for the nature of the properties of the individual goods. There is a label for each class/division to categorise the nature of the hazard. These labels must be affixed to the outside of the package when it is offered for transport and must remain on the package while it is in transit. Examples of these are illustrated below: Class 1 Explosives - explosive substances, explosive articles, pyrotechnic devices. Includes ammunition, fireworks, detonators, etc Class 2 Gases - transported as either compressed, liquefied, refrigerated liquefied or gas in solution. Includes aerosols. This class has three divisions: - Division 2.1 - flammable gases i.e. butane, propane - Division 2.2 - non-flammable, non-toxic gases i.e. oxygen, liquid nitrogen, compressed air - Division 2.3 - toxic gases i.e. chlorine, coal gas. Class 3 Flammable liquids - includes liquids with a boiling point of 35 degrees C or less or a flash point of 60.5 degrees C or less. Examples are Petrol, Alcohol, etc Class 4 Flammable solids - substances liable to spontaneous combustion and substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases. Class 4 has 3 divisions: Division 4.1 - flammable solids such as hexamine solid fuel tablets for camping stoves; self-reactive substances and desensitized explosives. Division 4.2 - substances liable to spontaneous combustion under the normal conditions encountered in air transport - such as Phosphorus which burns by itself when exposed to air Class 4.3 - substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases. i.e. "Dangerous when wet". Examples are sodium, zinc particles etc.