Effective since 1997, and adopted by all international regulatory agencies governing the transport of dangerous goods, the ’T’ drum is a Salvage Drum that has been qualified for the overpacking of damaged or leaking steel, plastic or fiber drums of liquid or solid contents. Though not mandatory within the U.S., the ’T’ Drum is required outside the U.S. Therefore, a domestic company that is overpacking a liquid or solid drum, and shipping it outside the U.S., should be sure that they are using a ’T’ qulified Salvage Drum. You can identify the ’T’ drum by noting the embossment as "1A2T/…"
Drum It Up
STEEL DRUM INDUSTRY NEWS, TRENDS AND ISSUES
Archive for June, 1998
Drum Markings Must Match
Drum manufacturers are required by the DOT to permanently emboss the bottom head of each drum with a "birth certificate" including the UN certification level, metal thickness and test approval. A durable marking (ink, stencil or label) is then required for similar information (except the metal thickness) on the side of the drum. In some instances, drum manufacturers have chosen to permanently emboss the highest test level on the bottom head and durably mark, by customer request, a lower test level for the durable mark. Some manufacturers argue that this allows them to use one drum for several test levels and they have asked that the head embossment and durable mark must indicate the same testing level and different markings on a single drum are not authorized.
New Incident Tracking Form
The Association of American Railroads, in conjunction with other trade associations, is developing a new incident tracking report for the DOT. The proposed new form, known as F5800.1, will include updated information about container markings, shipping specifications, and will even require shippers to record metal thickness. The information will be used, in part, to verify the integrity of packaging and transport alternatives for the shipment of dangerous goods worldwide. Ultimately, this could effect the prescribed tests applicable for Performance Oriented Packaging.
