A customer recently asked us about all the “letters and numbers” that appear on the side and bottom of our drums. While he was aware that the marking was required for shipment of a hazardous material, he was not clear what the symbol, letters and numbers actually meant. This was a good question, and one which, no doubt, many of our Newsletter readers might find helpful.
Once a packaging has passed it’s performance test criteria, certified markings indicate the performance rating and test information specific to a steel drum. This information must be applied in accordance with CFR 178.3(a)(3). For drums over 100 Litres (26 US Gallons) there are a number of ways that the marking can be applied including stamping, embossing, burning and printing. In addition, there must be one complete set of durable marks on the side or non-removable top head, and a second partial mark embossed permanently on the bottom head. The purpose of having the two marks is that once filled, the drum will sit, primarily, on its bottom head, and the UN test information will be readily viewable for the user at the side or top mark. The permanent partial bottom mark must conform to the application options indicated earlier. However, the side or top mark is required to be durable rather than permanent. Therefore, it is common and acceptable for the durable mark to be printed on a self adhesive label which is attached to the side of the drum. The characters on the label and the permanent embossment are subject to the size and sequence requirements as specified in 178.3(4) and 178.503(a)(1) through (a)(6) and (a)(9)(i). The Skolnik website offers a unique breakdown of the individual marks by drum style, you can link to the following: