Our customers are frequently asking this question. While most of the open head drums manufactured by Skolnik are dual tested and marked for both liquids and solids, the closed head drums are only tested and marked for liquids. However, in some cases, a product can be a liquid when filled and solidify during transport. In this case, some inspectors have declared that as solids, they should be in a solids container. Thus the shipment is declared non-compliant and refused. In CFR 49 173.24a(b)(3), DOT does permit the use of a liquids container for a solid, and offers an equivalent calculation to achieve container maximum weight for single or composite packagings that are Packing Group I, II or III. If a shipper can comply with this calculation and indicate that the liquids container does comply with 173.24a(b)(3), then shipping the solid in the liquid marked container is compliant. Of course, the dual marked container is still preferable.

October 5th, 2004 8:14 am Filed under: DOT/UN, Safety by Bill Fitzgerald