Clasification IMO

Within this classification we can find different types of goods, depending on the risk of mass explosion, projection or fire they cause. Some examples of explosives are: bombs, rockets, detonators, fireworks, ammunition, flares, etc.

• Division 1.1. Objects with risk of explosion of the whole mass.
• Division 1.2. They represent risk of projection, but not of explosion of the whole mass.
• Division 1.3. They represent a fire hazard and may produce shock wave effects.

The label of these first 3 is represented by the symbol of an exploding bomb (black on orange background) and a number 1 in the lower corner.

• Division 1.4. These do not represent a considerable risk.
• Division 1.5. Insufficiently sensitive involving a risk of mass explosion.
• Division 1.6. These are extremely insensitive and do not pose a mass explosion hazard.

Labels must contain the ‘division’ number in black on an orange background. It must also contain the number 1 in the lower corner of the label.

They may be liquefied, compressed or refrigerated. According to their properties they are classified as: asphyxiating, oxidizing, flammable or toxic. According to their reactions, there are 3 divisions:

• Division 2.1. Flammable gases. They can ignite on contact with a heat source, such as propylene, ethane or butane. Their label must contain the symbol of a flame either in black or white, on a red background and the number 2 in the lower corner.
• Division 2.2. Non-flammable, non-toxic gases. They displace oxygen causing asphyxiation, such as helium or oxygen. Their label must contain the symbol of a gas bottle in black or white on a green background and the number 2 in the lower corner.
• Division 2.3. Toxic gases. Their inhalation may cause acute effects or even death. They may be flammable, corrosive or oxidizing, such as chlorine. Their label contains a skull and crossbones symbol in black. The background is white and is identified by the number 2 in the lower corner.

This classification includes flammable liquids and insensitive liquid explosives. They may include: turpentine, gasoline, paints, varnishes, etc. Its label contains the symbol of a flame in black or white on a red background (same as the label for gases 2.1). It is distinguished by the number 3 in the lower corner.

According to their properties they are divided into:

• Division 4.1.Flammable, self-reactive or explosive desensitized solids. These may react spontaneously. Their label must contain the symbol of a black flame on a white background with seven vertical red stripes and the number 4 in the lower corner.
• Division 4.2. Spontaneously flammable substances. They may ignite when heated spontaneously, when they come into contact with air or while being transported. These may include: coal, ferrous metal shavings, wet absorbent cotton, etc. Their label must contain the symbol of a flame in black on a white background in the upper half and red in the lower half, with the number 4 in the lower corner.
• Division 4.3. Substances that upon contact with water give off flammable gases. Among the most common materials within this classification are: sodium, potassium, carbide, etc. Its label must contain the symbol of a flame in black or white on a blue background and the number 4 in the lower corner.

According to their properties they are divided into:

• Division 5.1. Comburants. Liquids or solids that favor combustion, may favor the development of fires. An example is ammonium nitrate. Their labels must include the symbol of a flame in a black circle on a yellow background and the number 5.1 in the lower corner.
• Division 5.2. Organic peroxides. They are derived from hydrogen peroxide. These substances, being extremely hazardous, may only be loaded in a cargo unit in certain quantities. Their label must contain a flame symbol in white or black on a red background in the upper half and yellow in the lower half, as well as the number 5.2 in the lower corner.

According to their properties they are divided into:

• Division 6.1. Toxic substances. They can cause death by inhalation, skin absorption or ingestion. An example of these is methanol or methylene chloride. Their label must have the symbol of a skull and crossbones in black on a white background (same as label 2.3 for toxic gases), distinguished by the number 6 at the bottom of the label.
• Division 6.2. Infectious substances. These contain pathogens (microorganisms) that can cause disease. Some of these may be: diagnostic samples, vaccine material, secretions, blood, excrement, laboratory cultures, etc. In the lower half of the label it could bear the legend: “Infectious Substances” or “In case of damage, spill or leakage, notify health authorities immediately”. The label must also include the symbol consisting of three crescent moons, superimposed on a circle, in black on a white background, as well as the number 6 in the lower corner.

Contain radionuclides, such as uranium, putanium or thorium. Labels for these types of substances shall be applied according to the following:

• Category I. For packages with a maximum surface radiation level of 0.5 millirem/h or for containers that do not contain packages with higher categories. The label must be white with a black trefoil symbol, under which the legend “Radioactive” must appear followed by a small red vertical bar; then the following data must appear: “Content…quantity…activity”, as well as a number 7 in the lower corner.
• Category II. For packages with a surface radiation level greater than 0.5 millirem/h, not to exceed 50 millirem/h. The transport index must not exceed 1.0, or for containers where the transport index does not exceed 1.0 and do not contain visible Category III packages.
• Category III. For packages with a maximum surface radiation level of 200 millirem/h, or for containers whose transport index is less than or equal to 1.0 and which transport visible Category III packages.

             The label of both must be yellow with a border in the upper half and white in the       lower half. Its symbol must be a clover in black color, and must also include the legend: “Radioactive” followed by two or three small vertical bars (according to its category). Subsequently, it must contain the data “Content and activity”, followed by a box with a black border with the phrase “Transport index”, as well as a number 7 in the lower corner of the label.

• Category IV. Fissile materials. Its label must be white with the (mandatory) legend: “FISSIONABLE” in black, in the upper part, and in the lower part, a box with the words “Critical Care Index” and the number 7.

These substances have a destructive effect on contact, i.e. they damage skin tissue. Some substances may be: sulfuric acid or sodium hypochlorite. Their label must have a symbol with two test tubes pouring liquid on a hand and a metal, the upper background must be white and the lower background black with the number 8.

These involve some type of danger not contemplated in the previous ones, as it could be the case of dioxins, lithium batteries, dry ice, etc. Its label must be white with 7 vertical black stripes in the upper half, and the number 9 underlined in the lower corner.