Lithium Batteries or Lithium Cells not subject to other provisions of IMDG Code but only subject to special provision 188 is sometimes complicated to those who refer SP 188.
You can find a presentation breaking down the Special Provision 188 in easy to understand slides by clicking here
Batteries used in mobile phones and laptop computers, which can spontaneously combust, will destroy
an average of one U.S.-registered cargo jet every other year, a government analysis has concluded.
Plenty of shipments of batteries are moving around the globe as containerized cargo. Some are offered as non-hazardous which leads to confusion as similar name batteries are offered as hazardous also.
Below is the list of batteries in IMDG Code and the criteria due to which some can be transported as non-hazardous goods.
| Proper Shipping Name |
Class |
UNNO |
Special Provision |
Criteria to become non-Hazardous |
| BATTERIES, CONTAINING SODIUM | 4.3 | 3292 | 239 | Batteries installed in vehicles are not subject to the provisions of IMDG Code |
| BATTERIES, DRY, CONTAINING POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID electric storage |
8 | 3028 | 295 304 |
|
| BATTERIES, WET, FILLED WITH ACID electric storage | 8 | 2794 | 295 | |
| BATTERIES, WET, FILLED WITH ALKALI electric storage | 8 | 2795 | 295 | |
| BATTERIES, WET, NON-SPILLABLE electric storage | 8 | 2800 | 29 238 |
Provided they pass Vibration Test, Pressure test and no leakage from crack at 55 Deg C as per special Provision 238 |
| LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES (including lithium alloy batteries) | 9 | 3090 | 188 230 310 957 |
If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188 |
| LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT or LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT (including lithium alloy batteries) |
9 | 3091 | 188 230 957 |
If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188 |
| LITHIUM ION BATTERIES (including lithium ion polymer – batteries) | 9 | 3480 | 188 230 310 348 957 |
If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188 |
| LITHIUM ION BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT or LITHIUM ION BATTERIES PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT (including lithium ion polymer batteries) | 9 | 3481 | 188 230 348 957 |
If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 188 |
| BATTERIES, NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE | 9 | 3496 | 117 963 |
If meeting the criteria listed in Special provision 963. See entry NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE BATTERIES |
Canadian Transport of Dangerous Regulations (TDG) latest amendments can be accessed here
Entry CFR 49 Additional Requirements have been modified in section Lighters by including LAA**** Numbers
See Updated entry here
Shipping line OOCL has modified its booking acknowledgments of Dangerous Goods by including a weblink to a pdf file which will show the placarding requirements with instructions how to affix them.
This will be a good guidance to shippers to affix required placards correctly.
Read more on OOCL Site
Below are some additional requirements in Dangerous Goods Declaration (Shipping Papers) as per 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, 49).
49 CFR is U.S.A specific transport regulations & part 100-185 of 49 CFR deals with dangerous goods transport by Road (highway), Rail, Air and Sea. This is based on UN Model regulations and is almost harmonized with other model regulations.
|
Requirement |
49 CFR Section |
Description |
|
| Ex Number | 3268Air bag inflator, Air bag module, or Seat-belt pre-tensioner | 173.166 | Air bag inflators, air bag modules and seat-belt pretensioners classified under UN 3268 must be approved by Associated administrator who will issue an EX number upon satisfaction of the requirements. Shipping paper must contain this EX Number or product code of each approved inflator, module or pretensioner together with other mandatory details required by the shipping paper. Ex Number or product code is not required to be marked on the packages |
| T- Number/ LAA Numbers |
1057
( LIGHTERS) |
49 CFR 173.308 | (C) A test report identifier, that is, the authorized person or agency identifier code immediately followed by an alpha/numeric identifier of four or more characters assigned to the specific lighter design by the authorized person or agency (e.g., “LAA****,” where, “LAA” is the identification code assigned to the authorized person or agency by the Associate Administrator and “****” is replaced with the unique test report identifier assigned to the specific lighter design by the authorized person or agency); Transitional provisions. Until January 1, 2012, approval numbers issued by the Associate Administrator prior to January 1, 2007 may continue to be marked on packages and annotated on shipping papers, where applicable. After that time, previously issued approvals (i.e., T-***) will no longer be valid and each lighter design currently in production must be re-examined and tested under the provisions of this section. |
| RQ Reportable Quantity |
Various | Appendix to 49 CFR 172.101 | When quantity in package equals or increases the quantity specified in Appendix to 49 CFR 172.101 shipping paper must contain letters “RQ” either before or after the basic description of dangerous goods.Please refer special provisions and related section of 49 CFR for full details. Click here to look up Reportable Quantity for a substance. |
| PIH “Poison-Inhalation Hazard” or “Toxic-Inhalation Hazard” |
Mostly Class 2.3, 6.1 and some Materials in 8 | (HMT Column 7 and 172.102) | In column 7 of Hazardous Material table if 1.2.3.4. or 5 is mentioned then poison inhalation hazard zone must be identified on the shipping paper.1 = Zone A2 = Zone B3 = Zone C
4 = Zone D
|
| Emergency Response Number | All | 172.201(d), 172.604 | Emergency contact Telephone number must be entered as “EMERGENCY CONTACT: xxx-xxx-xxxx” (include international access code if applicable). |
| Special Permits and Exemptions | As applicable | If the shipment is under any special permit or exemption then same must be entered on Shipping Paper (“DOT-SPxxxxx” or “DOT-Exxxxx” Special Permit or Exemption number) |
Please refer to latest 49 CFR for full details of these requirements.
Lot of modern bicycles come with gears (derailleur), Mountain bikes also have front and middle suspensions. We will look at the different positions of derailleur gears (21 speed derailleur) and transport restrictions of bicycle as cargo.
As we change the gear from one position to another the derailleur shifts the chain from one sprocket to another, i.e. derailing the chain hence these bicycle gears are called derailleurs. When a rider not used to multispeed (geared) bicycle sit on it for the first time he or she will definitely get confused on the gear positions. More complicated if the bicycle has front and rear derailleurs, then what combination these should be set at. We can see in the image below on the handle bar left hand side there are three positions for the gear shifter and on the right hand 7 positions. (for 21 speed derailleurs)
Always the question asked by a new rider is, 3 x 7 = 21, out of these 21 combinations which one should I use while starting and when should I change the gears while riding? Answer is:
High Gear = Going down hill
Medium Gear = Flat road
Low Gear = Uphill
Every rider is comfortable at his/her own cadence (RPM of the crank/peddling per minute). High gear will put the front derailleur on biggest sprocket and rear on the smaller one. In this position peddling gives more speed but we need to push harder. On low gear the reverse takes place with front derailleur on smallest sprocket, in this position less stress need to be applied on the peddles however speed reduces.
Unless we are cycling uphill or downhill we need not change the gears much. We can leave the front derailleur on position 2 and rear derailleur on position 3 or 4 when starting then keep shifting the rear derailleur from 3 or 4 ( the position of gear we started at) to 2,3,4,5 this will keep our cadence in range and will not increase the stress on legs while maintaining constant speed. There are no many rules for using/shifting these gears, shift the gears as we like to do a comfortable ride keeping our cadence in the same bandwidth. But there are two basic rules which are good for our bicycle more than ourselves.
Rule 1: Never shift the gear when the cycle is in complete stop (resting).
Rule 2: If we are riding on high or low gear before coming to a complete stop shift down to middle gear.
Shifting of gears, front or rear must only be done when peddling to make the shifter push the chain and derail it from the current position to next. If we shift the gear when not peddling there are chances when we push peddle after shifting, the chain may not derail or may fall into a wrong position.
If we stop the bicycle (complete stop) at high or low gear and again start peddling it will apply extra force on the sprockets which may increase wear and tear and eventually we will start hearing it making noise.
To avoid too much strain on the sprockets and chain we should not be changing the gear while applying extra force on peddles like pushing hard on an uphill ride. During hard uphill climb if we want to further drop our gears reduce the force on peddle and shift the gear and continue riding increasing the force.
Although a 21 speed bicycle can go in 21 combinations of speed it is not recommended to use extreme combinations continuously for long duration. Extreme combination will apply extra pressure on sprockets and the angle of chain goes to the extreme positions which may increase possibilities of wear n tear.
Example of extreme combination is Front derailleur position 1 and rear 7 or front derailleur position 3 and rear position 1.
In below image we can see recommended positions (low -medium -high) and extreme position.
Transport Restrictions, Rules
If the shock absorbers (suspensions) are pneumatic or hydraulic then they may be restricted for transport by air.
If you are traveling with your bicycle by air ensure you check with the carrier (airline) well before cycling down to the airport for taking flight. All airlines restrict pressurized articles. Tyres need to be deflated and if your bicycle has pressurized suspensions they may need to be packed, secured etc.
Author is an enthusiastic cyclist who also suffer from chronic neurological disorder called Meralgia paraesthetica. You can contact author for cycling tips and if you also suffer from it then for tips for living with Meralgia paraesthetica 😉
For information about whole vehicle as cargo, (dangerous goods or not) please click here.
Now we are going to look at a knocked down car in shipping container, which components/parts will be considered as dangerous goods.
Already started thinking about petrol in tank? That’s a good start!
Below is the list of parts meeting the criteria of dangerous goods as per UN Model Regulations:
| AIR BAG INFLATORS or AIR BAG MODULES or SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONERS | UN 3269 Class 9 or UN 0503 Class 1.4G |
| 1,1,1,2-TETRAFLUOROETHANE (REFRIGERANT GAS R 134a) | UN 3159 Class 2.2 |
| BATTERIES, WET, FILLED WITH ACID electric storage | UN 2794 Class 9 |
| MAGNETIZED MATERIAL ( Speakers ) | UN 2807 Class 9 |
| ENGINE, INTERNAL COMBUSTION | UN 3166 Class 9 |
| DANGEROUS GOODS IN APPARATUS ( Fuel pump & injectors) | UN 3363 Class 9 |
However while making consignments you need to look at the correct regulations ( for mode of transport) for latest rules ,exemptions and limitations applicable if any.
Example: Magnetized Material (Speakers) is hazardous only by air transport. Batteries may be exempted from the requirement if it is non spillable passing the test criteria according to Model regulations. Airbags fitted in steering columns or door panels does not meet the criteria of dangerous goods.
IMDG Code Compliance Centre 