Ask X3What does 49 CFR 173.24 (General requirements for packagings and packages) require?
Generated guidance. Confirm the source and its applicability before you act. How we check sources.
As Ask X3, your fleet-compliance assistant, here is what 49 CFR 173.24 requires for your packages and packagings:
* General Performance & Design: You must ensure that every package is designed, constructed, maintained, filled, limited in its contents, and closed so that during normal transport conditions:
* There is no identifiable release of hazardous materials to the environment (without using instruments).
* The package maintains its effectiveness (such as impact resistance, strength, and compatibility) despite extremes in temperature, humidity, pressure, shocks, loadings, and vibrations.
* There is no dangerous mixture of gases or vapors inside that could spontaneously generate heat or pressure and reduce packaging effectiveness.
* There is no hazardous material residue stuck to the outside of the package during transport.
* Authorized Packagings: You must only use packagings that are specifically prescribed or permitted for the hazardous material in the Hazardous Materials Table (§ 172.101) or under specific alternative regulatory sections. If you use extra inner or intermediate packagings, they are allowed as long as they meet all rules and are properly cushioned to prevent shifting.
* Specification & UN Standards: Any specification packaging or UN standard packaging (whether manufactured in the U.S. or imported) must strictly conform to all applicable manufacturing and testing details outlined in parts 178 and 179.
* Compatibility: As the person offering the hazardous material for transport, it is your responsibility to ensure the packaging is fully compatible with its contents. This means preventing corrosivity, permeability, softening, premature aging, embrittlement, or chemical/galvanic reactions. Specific chemical compatibility and permeation testing rules apply to plastic packagings and liquid hazardous materials. You also must not pack mixed contents together if they can react dangerously and cause fires, heat, dangerous gases, or unstable/corrosive materials. If a solid can turn into a liquid during transport, the packaging must be able to hold it in its liquid state.
* Closures: Closures must be designed and secured so they will not loosen, leak, or release hazardous materials under normal transport conditions (accounting for temperature, pressure, and vibration). Closures on specification packagings must be closed strictly following the manufacturer’s instructions.
* Venting: Venting packages to relieve internal pressure is restricted. It is prohibited for air transport (except for specific cryogenic liquids or dry ice) and is only allowed if the evolved gases are not poisonous, flammable, or asphyxiants, the package prevents unintentional release, and (for bulk packagings) venting is specifically authorized by a special provision.