Tag: Lighter

“Torch” cigarette lighters

Lighters with flammable gas is assigned with UN Number 1057 under class 2.1.

IMDG Code specifies that a lighter must not have gas volume larger than 10 g of liquefied petroleum gas. The danger of flammable gas filled lighters is potential leakage of gas which will produce a flammable atmosphere in a shipping container.

These days in market we can buy “Torch” cigarette lighters; these are lighters with a small LED and two or three lithium metal batteries to provide power. Lithium metal batteries have gained notorious name to it due to its involvement in numerous accidents of which certain accidents resulted in total loss of aircraft and lives on board.

How safe are these “Torch” cigarette lighters or how dangerous are these “Torch” cigarette lighters more than other lighters?

United Kingdom raised the issue of “Torch” cigarette lighters in the fortieth session of Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, hopefully by forty-first session we should have some guidance on transport of “Torch” cigarette lighters as cargo or guidance for carriage by air passengers.

Below photos of “Torch” cigarette lighter

LIGHTERS or LIGHTER REFILLS

Lighters are pressurized article containing butane gas which is triggered to ignition by flint or piezoelectric ignition system. The design of the lighter is such that the ignition and release of flammable gas can only occur by action by the user and it cannot run into ignition when stored.

A partial profile view of the ignition system ...

There are two standards for lighters (1) ISO 9994:2002 and (2) European standard EN 13869:2002. European standard includes child-resistance specifications also.

Lighter refills are gas canisters to fill lighters exhausted its fuel.

Special provisions of transport regulations states

  • Lighters shall be provided with protection against inadvertent discharge.
  • The liquid portion of the gas shall not exceed 85% of the capacity of the receptacle at 15 °C.
  •  The receptacles, including the closures, shall be capable of withstanding an internal pressure of twice the pressure of the liquefied petroleum gas at 55 °C.
  •  The valve mechanisms and ignition devices shall be securely sealed, taped or otherwise fastened or designed to prevent operation or leakage of the contents during transport.
  •  Lighters shall not contain more than 10 g of liquefied petroleum gas.
  • Lighter refills shall not contain more than 65 g of liquefied petroleum gas

Lighters and Lighter refills are listed as UN 1057 class 2.1 in IMDG Code