Safe Handling of Tank Containers - ITCO

ICHCA International Safety Panel Briefing Pamphlet No 30
3.3.4.2 New rules have been prepared and will come into effect with the publication
of the 2012 edition of the IMDG Code. These require tank containers where
the shell or compartment is divided by surge plates into sections of not more
than 7,500 litres to have a letter “S” marked in either of the capacity sections
on the identification plate.
Note 1: There is no requirement to indicate the number of compartments
into which a tank container is divided
Note 2: The marking of the identification plate with a volume in the
compartment capacity or adding the letter “S” for shells and
compartments fitted with surge plates can not be easily seen by
container handlers except by close inspection of the identification
plate
Note 3: Tank containers with removable surge plates may be incorrectly
marked, i.e. the identification plate is marked with the letter “S”
when the surge plates have been removed.
3.3.4.3 Tank containers filled with different dangerous goods in different
compartments must display the appropriate marks and/or placards for each
hazard and for all dangerous goods carried.
3.3.5 Recording
3.3.5.1 There do not appear to be any mandatory requirements in the dangerous
goods regulations or regulations referring to non-regulated goods to indicate
in any documentation accompanying the consignment as to whether tank
containers are fitted with surge plates or divided into compartments.
However there is a requirement to indicate the quantity of each dangerous
goods carried as part of that consignment.
3.3.5.2 As part of the guidance that this pamphlet offers, it is recommended that the
number of spaces made within the tank container either by surge plates or
compartment is marked in the appropriate section of the Dangerous or Non
Regulated Goods Note (see Annex 4 Figures A4.2 and A4.3).
3.3.5.3 Furthermore where the Goods Note has a space in which the number of
baffles and/or compartments can be filled in. It is strongly recommended
that an entry is made in these sections even to record that there is only a
single compartment or no baffles are fitted.
4 Tank Groups
4.1 Liquids
4.1.1 Tank containers built for liquids may:
have a stainless steel or mild steel pressure vessel shell;
be un-insulated or insulated
have heating or cooling equipment;
be lined with a protective coating
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