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Do we need to segregate different dangerous goods when transported on rail?
What are the segregation rules for rail transport?
United Nations’ Recommendations for the transport of dangerous goods, Model Regulations says “for the purposes of segregation, two substances or articles are considered mutually incompatible when their stowing together may result in undue hazards in the case of leakage, spillage, or any other accident. Incompatible goods shall be segregated from one another during transport”.
The requirement of segregation of mutually incompatible goods is amplified as mandatory provisions in regulations of dangerous goods transport by rail, road, river, sea and air.
We had explained the provisions for segregation for sea transport under IMDG Code in article Worked Examples of Segregation, steps are same but users must refer to the latest edition of IMDG Code which is 39th amendment (39-18).
Segregation of Dangerous Goods on rail under RID.
RID– Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail
Packages bearing different danger labels must not be loaded together in the same wagon or container unless mixed loading is permitted according to the below table based on the danger labels they bear.
Label 9A is for lithium batteries
- x Mixed loading permitted.
- For “a”, “b”, “c” & “d” refer notes in RID section 7.5.2.1
- For segregation between explosives refer RID section 7.5.2.2
Distance to be maintained
Rail wagons, tanks, containers, road vehicles carrying explosives bearing placard conforming to models Nos. 1, 1.5 or 1.6 shall be separated on the same train from wagons, large containers, portable tanks, tank-containers, MEGCs or road vehicles bearing a placard conforming to models Nos. 2.1, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 or 5.2 or road vehicles for which the transport document indicates that they are containing packages bearing a label conforming to models Nos. 2.1, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 or 5.2 by a protective distance.
Protective distance means if the space between the buffer head of a wagon or the end wall of a large container, portable tank or road vehicle and the buffer head of another wagon or the end wall of another large container, portable tank, tank-container, MEGC or road vehicle is:
- (a) at least 18 m, or
- (b) occupied by two 2-axle wagons or a wagon with 4 or more axles
Segregation of Foodstuff
If special provision CW 28 is indicated for an entry in column 18 of Table A of Chapter 3.2 of RID, segregation with foodstuff and animal feed must be as follows:
Packages as well as uncleaned empty packagings, including large packagings and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), carrying class 6.1 or 6.2 and those carrying class 9 (UN Nos. 2212, 2315, 2590, 3151, 3152 or 3245), must not be stacked on or loaded in immediate proximity to packages known to contain foodstuffs, other articles of consumption or animal feeds in wagons, in containers and at places of loading, unloading or transhipment.
When these packages, bearing the said labels, are loaded in immediate proximity of packages known to contain foodstuffs, other articles of consumption or animal feeds, they must be kept apart from the latter:
- (a) by complete partitions which should be as high as the packages bearing the said labels;
- (b) by packages not bearing class 6.1, 6.2 or 9 or packages of class 9 but not containing goods of UN Nos. 2212, 2315, 2590, 3151, 3152 or 3245; or
- (c) by a space of at least 0.8 m; unless the packages bearing the said labels are provided with an additional packaging or are completely covered (e.g. by a sheeting, a fibreboard cover or other measures.
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