Dangerous goods placards flowchart

Are the dangerous goods contained in a large means of containment or transported in an outer large means of containment (other than an aircraft or a vessel)?

If no: No placards required.

If yes: Primary class placards for each of the dangerous goods must be displayed on each side and on each end of the means of containment. (Reference: Section 4.15)

Continue to question 2.

Is an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) required?

If yes: UN number must be displayed for the dangerous goods that require an ERAP. (Reference: Section 4.15.2)

In addition, subsidiary class placards must be displayed for the dangerous goods that require an ERAP, and is included in one of the subsidiary classes listed below:

• Class 1
• Class 4.3
• Class 6.1, packing group I (inhalation)
• Class 8 (UN2977 and UN2978 only)

Continue to question 4. (Reference: Section 4.15.1)

If no, continue to question 3.

Are the dangerous goods a liquid or a gas in direct contact with the large means of containment?

If yes: UN number must be displayed for the dangerous goods that are a liquid or a gas in direct contact with the large means of containment.

Continue to question 5. (Reference: Section 4.15.2)

If no, continue to question 4 .

Are the dangerous goods included in Class 1, Explosives or Class 2, Gases?

If yes: Review Sections 4.17 to 4.18.3. (Reference: Section 4.17 to 4.18.3)

If no, continue to question 5.

Are the dangerous goods transported at an elevated temperature?

If yes: The elevated temperature sign is required if the dangerous goods are contained in a large means of containment and are offered for transport or transported at a temperature:

• greater than or equal to 100°C in a liquid state
• greater than or equal to 240°C in a solid state

Continue to question 6. (Reference: Section 4.20)

If no, continue to question 6

Has the large means of containment been fumigated?

If yes: Review Section 4.21 if the large means of containment has been fumigated.

Continue to question 7. (Reference: Section 4.21)

If no, continue to question 7.

Are the dangerous goods a marine pollutant?

If yes: Review Section 4.22 if the dangerous goods are marine pollutants and transported by road/rail vehicle for which some part of the transport will take place on a vessel (ferry).

Continue to question 8. (Reference: Section 4.22)

If no, continue to question 8.

Are the dangerous goods subject to special provision 23 or are they included in Class 6.1, Toxic Substances, due to inhalation hazard or Class 2.3, Toxic Gases?

If yes: Review Section 4.23 (Reference: Section 4.23)

Continue to question 9.

This question has 2 parts and both conditions must be met in order to answer ‘yes'.

• Does the large means of containment contain 2 or more dangerous goods that require different placards?
• Are the dangerous goods contained in 2 or more small means of containment that are loaded into a large means of containment?

If yes: DANGER placard may not be displayed if the dangerous goods:

• have a gross mass greater than 1,000 kg per class, per consignor
• require an ERAP
• are included in Class 1
• are included in Class 2.1, if contained in a road or railway vehicle transported by vessel
• are included in Class 2.3
• are included in Class 4.3
• are included in Class 5.2 (Type B, liquid or solid, that require a control or emergency temperature)
• are included in Class 6.1, special provision 23
• are included in Class 7 – Category III – Yellow label

(Reference: Section 4.16)

Continue to question 10.

Does the shipment of dangerous goods have a total gross mass of 500 kg or less?

To calculate the total gross mass for the purpose of the exemption, a person must add the gross mass of all the dangerous goods in small means of containment loaded into the large means of containment.

When placards must be displayed for dangerous goods that are restricted as per subsection 4.16.1(2), the gross mass of these dangerous goods may be deducted from the original total gross mass. The remaining dangerous goods may be considered separately for the placarding exemption.

As indicated in paragraph 1.3(2)(l), any dangerous goods that do not require a shipping document should not be considered when calculating the total gross mass of the dangerous goods.

Is the resulting mass less than or equal to 500 kg?

If yes: The placarding exemption may not be used if the dangerous goods:

• require an ERAP
• require the display of the subsidiary class placard
• are included in Class 1 (some exceptions apply)
• are included in Class 2.1, if contained in a road or railway vehicle transported by vessel
• are included in Class 2.3
• are included in Class 4.3
• are included in Class 5.2 (Type B, liquid or solid, that require a control or emergency temperature)
• are included in Class 6.1, special provision 23
• are included in Class 7 – Category III – Yellow label

(Reference: Section 4.16.1)