Dangerous goods classification

CLASS 1 – explosive materials
CLASS 2 – liquefied gases
CLASS 3 – flammable liquids
CLASS 4 – flammable substances
CLASS 5 – oxidizing substances
CLASS 6 – poisonous and infectious substances
CLASS 7 – radioactive substances
CLASS 8 – caustic and corrosive substances
CLASS 9 – substances with a relatively low risk

Explosive materials, which by their properties can explode, cause a fire with an explosive effect, as well as devices containing explosive substances and detonating agents, intended for a pyrotechnic effect.

subclass 1.1 – explosive and pyrotechnic substances and products with a risk of mass explosion, when the explosion instantly covers the entire cargo;

subclass 1.2 – explosive and pyrotechnic substances and products that do not explode by mass;

subclass 1.3 – explosive and pyrotechnic substances and products that have a fire hazard with little or no explosive effect;

subclass 1.4 – explosive and pyrotechnic substances and products, which pose a minor risk of explosion during transportation only in case of ignition or initiation, which do not cause destruction of devices and packages;

subclass 1.5 – explosives with a risk of mass explosion, which are so insensitive that initiation or transition from combustion to detonation is unlikely during transport;

subclass 1.6 – products containing substances that are exclusively insensitive to detonation, do not explode by mass and are characterized by a low probability of accidental initiation.

Gases are compressed, liquefied by cooling and dissolved under pressure, meeting at least one of the following conditions:

the absolute steam pressure at a temperature of 50 °C is equal to or higher than 3 kgf/cm (300 kPa);
critical temperature below 50 °C.

According to their physical state, gases are divided into:

compressed, the critical temperature of which is below -10 °С;
liquefied, the critical temperature of which is equal to or above -10 °C, but below 70 °C;
liquefied, the critical temperature of which is equal to or higher than 70 °C;
dissolved under pressure;
liquefied by hypothermia;
aerosols and compressed gases subject to special regulations.

subclass 2.1 – flammable gases.

subclass 2.2 – non-flammable, non-toxic gases.

subclass 2.3 – toxic gases.

Flammable liquids, mixtures of liquids, as well as liquids containing solid substances in solution or suspension, which emit flammable vapors with a flash point in a closed crucible of 61 °C and below.

Flammable liquids included in class 3 are included in one of the following groups:

subclass 3.1 – a group having an initial boiling point of 35 °C or less at 101.3 kPa absolute pressure and any flash point such as diethyl ether or carbon disulfide;

subclass 3.2 – a group that has an initial boiling point above 35 °C at an absolute pressure of 101.3 kPa and a flash point below 23 °C, such as gasoline and acetone;

subclass 3.3 – if the criteria for inclusion in group I or II are not met, for example, kerosene and diesel fuel.

Flammable substances and materials (except those classified as explosive), capable of easily igniting during transportation from external sources of ignition, as a result of friction, absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical transformations, as well as when heated.

subclass 4.1 – highly flammable solid substances, capable of being easily ignited by short-term exposure to external sources of ignition (sparks, flames or friction) and actively burning;

subclass 4.2 – self-igniting substances, which in normal conditions of transportation can involuntarily heat up and ignite;

subclass 4.3 – substances that emit flammable gases when interacting with water.

Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides that can easily release oxygen, support combustion, and can, under appropriate conditions or mixed with other substances, cause spontaneous combustion and explosion.

subclass 5.1 – oxidizing substances, which are not flammable by themselves, but contribute to the easy flammability of other substances, and emit oxygen during combustion, thereby increasing the intensity of the fire;

subclass 5.2 – organic peroxides, which in most cases are flammable, can act as oxidizing substances and interact dangerously with other substances. Many of them catch fire easily and are sensitive to impact and friction.

Poisonous and infectious substances capable of causing death, poisoning or illness if ingested or in contact with the skin and mucous membrane.

subclass 6.1 – poisonous (toxic) substances capable of causing poisoning by inhalation (vapours, dust), ingestion or skin contact;

subclass 6.2 – substances and materials containing pathogenic microorganisms dangerous for humans and animals.

Radioactive substances include substances or a combination of substances that emit ionizing radiation (uranium, plutonium).

subclass 7.1 – extremely low radiation level: 0.5 millirem (0.0050 mSv) per hour.

subclass 7.2 – low radiation: >0.5–50 millibrems (0.0050–0.5000 mSv) per hour at the surface. 1.0 millir (0.010 mSv) at a maximum of 3.3 ft (1 m).

subclass 7.3 – higher radiation levels: >50–200 millirem (0.50–2.00 mSv), on the surface. 10 millibars (0.10 mSv) at 3.3 ft (1 m) maximum.

Caustic and corrosive substances that cause damage to the skin, damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, corrosion of metals and damage to vehicles, structures or cargo, and can cause fire when interacting with organic materials or some chemicals.

corrosive substances – these are substances that can dissolve organic tissues or severely corrode certain metals:

8.1 Acids: sulfuric, hydrochloric.
8.2 Alkalis: potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide.

Substances with a relatively low transport hazard, which are not assigned to any of the previous classes, but require the application of certain transport and storage rules to them.

Hazardous substances that do not belong to other categories (asbestos, airbags, self-inflating life rafts, dry ice).

CLASS 1 – explosive materials