Substance

UN class

HAZARDOUS PROPERTIES

Explosive substances

1

A substance which is capable by chemical reaction in itself of producing gas at such a temperature, pressure and such a speed as could cause damage to surroundings or which is designed to produce an effect by heat, light, sound, gas or smoke or a combination of these as a result of non-detonative self-sustaining exothermic chemical reactions.

Gas

e.g Oxygen, propane, nitrogen

2

At 50⁰C has a vapour pressure greater than 300 kilopascals absolute,or is completely gaseous at 20°C and at a standard pressure of 101.3 kilopascals.

Flammable

Liquid

E.g. alcohol, acetone, petrol, xylene.

3

 A liquid with a flash point

(a) above 61°C and which is carried at a temperature above its flash

point: or

(b) of 61°C or below except-

• a liquid with a flash point equal to or more than 35°C which

does not support combustion;

• a viscous substance; or
• a flammable gas.

Flammable

Solids

E.g. sulphur

4.1

• A solid which is steadily combustible, or may cause/contribute towards fire through friction;
• a self-reactive or related substance which is liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction;
• a desensitised explosive where the explosive properties have been suppressed.

Spontaneously

combustible

substances

E.g. cotton, carbon, phophorous

4.2

A substance which is liable to spontaneous combustion under conditions met in carriage or liable to self-heating when in contact with air, and liable to catch fire.

Substance which in contact with water emits flammable gas

e.g lithium, sodium, potassium

4.3

A substance which in contact with water is liable to become spontaneously combustible or to give off a flammable gas

Oxidising

Substance

e.g. Hydrogen peroxide, ammonium nitrate, potassium permanaganate

5.1

A substance other than on organic peroxide, which although not necessarily combustible, may by yielding oxygen or by a similar process cause/contribute to  the combustion of other material.

Organic

peroxide

e.g. polyester resins/fillers

5.2

A substance which is -

(a) an organic peroxide; and

(b) an unstable substance which may undergo exothermic self accelerating

decomposition.

Toxic

Substance

e.g lead, arsenic,

6.1

A substance which is liable either to cause death or serious injury or

to harm human health if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact.

Substance

UN class

HAZARDOUS PROPERTIES

Infectious substance

e.g. certain bacteria/viruses see section

6.2

A substance which either contains viable micro-organisms that are known or believed to cause disease in animals or humans, or genetically-modified micro-organisms and organisms which may be infectious.

Radioactive

Material

7

A substance which meets the criteria in section l(l) of the Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Act 1991.

Corrosive Substance

e.g. acids, ammonia

8

A substance which by chemical action will -

• cause severe damage when in contact with living tissue;
• cause damage to other freight or equipment on the vehicle if leakage occurs.

Other dangerous

Goods

e.g.

Carbon dioxide ice, lithium batteries.

9

A substance which is listed in the ACL, and which may cause a risk to health or safety during carriage, whether or not it has-any of the characteristic properties listed above, or a substance which is hazardous to the environment, but excluding any substance which -

• is an explosive or radioactive material;
• possesses any of the hazardous properties of any other classification; or
• constitutes dangerous goods for any other reason.