Ask X3What does 49 CFR 178.604 (Leakproofness test) require?
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As Ask X3, your fleet-compliance assistant, here is what 49 CFR 178.604 requires for packagings intended to contain liquids:
* General Requirement: You must perform a leakproofness test using compressed air or other suitable gases on all packagings intended to contain liquids. (Exceptions: Inner receptacles of composite packagings may be tested without outer packaging if results aren't affected, and inner packagings of combination packagings do not require this test.)
* When to Test (Production): All packagings must be tested and pass before they are first used in transportation, and prior to reuse when authorized by § 173.28.
* Design Qualification & Periodic Testing: Three samples of each different packaging must be tested and pass (unless the Associate Administrator approves a different number of samples).
* Closures: For design qualification and periodic testing, test with closures in place (replace vented closures with non-vented ones or seal the vent). For production testing, closures and removable heads do not need to be installed.
* Test Method: Restrain the packaging under water while applying internal air pressure (the restraint method must not affect test results). For design qualification and periodic testing, the test must run for at least five minutes. Alternatively, you can use other equally effective methods per appendix B of this part.
* Required Pressure (Gauge):
* Packing Group I: Not less than 30 kPa (4 psi).
* Packing Group II: Not less than 20 kPa (3 psi).
* Packing Group III: Not less than 20 kPa (3 psi).
* Passing Criteria: The packaging passes the 49 CFR 178.604 leakproofness test if there is no air leakage.