Transporting Hazardous Materials Safely by Road
The regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) change every two years (ADR = Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par route). The new regulations can be used from January 1, 2017 onwards, but do not become binding until July 1, 2017. “Even though there are transition periods for some new features, it makes sense to comply with the regulations now, if people haven't done so already,” says Thomas Schneider, hazardous materials expert at DEKRA.
To be complied with, among other things, are some new definitions as well as changes regarding exemption in the carriage of goods and liquid fuels located in vehicle tanks, for example. In addition, combustion engines and machines receive their own UN numbers and have been assigned to Class 9. Vehicles with UN numbers 3166 and 3171 are no longer exempt from the ADR/RID regulations; specified minimum regulations apply separately.
ADR 2017 also brings changes for lithium batteries. For example, lithium batteries now receive a hazard label of their own. This has number 9A and is based on label no. 9. The only change is that it now features an additional battery symbol in the bottom section. The minimum dimensions must be 100 mm x 100 mm. The following must also be complied with: the line inside the edge of the hash must be at least 2 mm wide, and the line inside the edge must run parallel at a distance of 5 mm between the outside of this line and the edge of the hazard label. For “small” lithium batteries, which are transported in accordance with SP 188, they will for the first time have their own designation in ADR.
Further changes: if materials covered by SP 664 are transported in fixed tanks (tanker vehicles) or demountable tanks, these tanks shall be fitted with additive devices. In the future, the comment “Additive device” is to be entered in the transport paper in accordance with 664 e) instead of “Transport in accordance with special provision 664” if the goods are hazardous materials. The changes must not be forgotten either regarding the requirements to be met by vehicles that transport hazardous materials. For reasons of simplification, vehicle type OX has been deleted, for example. In the past, vehicles of this type were there to transport UN 2015 hydrogen peroxide in tanks. From 2017 onwards, FL vehicles are to be used for this.
The specifications in chapter 9.2 have been completely revised and brought up to date with current vehicle technology standards. This means that CNG-, LNG- and LPG-driven vehicles are taken into consideration as appropriate. Last but not least, the special regulations for the electrical equipment of vehicles has been brought up to date to match current vehicle technology standards. This mainly affects the cabling, fuses and safety switches, battery systems, lighting and assistance systems.