Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

Regulation 1(2)

SCHEDULE 1 Competent Authority Identification Marks

1.  Each approval certificate issued by a competent authority shall be assigned an identification mark.

2.  The mark shall be of the following generalised type—“VRI/Number/Type Code”, where—

(a) “VRI” represents the international vehicle registration identification code of the state issuing the certificate;

(b) “Number” represents the number assigned by the competent authority, which shall be unique with regard to the particular design or shipment; and

(c) “Type Code” represents the code used to indicate the type of approval certificate issued as follows—

AF	Type A package design for fissile material
B(U)	Type B(U) package design, (B(U)F if for fissile material)
B(M)	Type B(M) package design, (B(M)F if for fissile material)
IF	Industrial package design for fissile material
S	Special form radioactive material
T	Shipment
X	Special arrangement

3.  The shipment approval identification mark shall be clearly related to the design approval identification mark.

4.  For package design approval certificates, other than those issued under the provisions of regulation 9, the symbols ‘–85' shall be added to the Type Code of the package design.

Regulation 5(2)

SCHEDULE 2 Application for Approval of Design for Special Form Radioactive Material

An application for approval of design for special form radioactive material shall include—

(a) (i) a detailed description of the radioactive material, or

(ii) if in the form of a capsule, the contents,

with particular reference to both physical and chemical states;

(b) a detailed statement of the design of any capsule to be used;

(c) (i) a statement of the tests which have been done and their results,

(ii) evidence based on calculative methods to show that the radioactive material is capable of meeting the performance standards, or

(iii) other evidence that the special form radioactive material meets the applicable requirements of these Regulations; and

(d) evidence of a quality assurance programme.

Regulation 6(2)

SCHEDULE 3 Application for Approval of Type B(U) Package Design

An application for approval of a Type B(U) package design shall include—

(a) a detailed description of the proposed radioactive contents, with particular reference to their physical and chemical states and the nature of the radiation emitted;

(b) a detailed statement of the design, including complete engineering drawings, schedules of materials and methods of construction to be used;

(c) (i) a statement of the tests which have been done and their results, or

(ii) evidence based on calculative methods or other evidence to show that the design meets the applicable requirements;

(d) details of the proposed operating and maintenance instructions for the use of the packaging;

(e) where the package is designed to have a maximum normal operating pressure in excess of 100 kPa gauge, details in respect of the materials of construction of the containment system, of—

(i) the specifications,

(ii) the samples to be taken, and

(iii) the tests to be made;

(f) where the proposed radioactive contents are irradiated fuel, a statement of and justification for any assumption made in the safety analysis relating to the characteristics of the fuel;

(g) details of any special stowage provisions necessary to ensure the safe dissipation of heat from the package taking into account the various modes of transport to be used and type of freight container or wagon;

(h) a reproducible illustration, not larger than 21 cm×30 cm, showing the make-up of the package;

(i) evidence of a quality assurance programme; and

(j) evidence of a suitable emergency plan.

Regulation 7(2)

SCHEDULE 4 Application for Approval of Type B(M) Package Design

An application for approval of a Type B(M) package design shall include—

(a) the information required in Schedule 3;

(b) a list of the requirements for Type B(U) packages specified in the Approved Document, with which the package does not conform;

(c) details of any proposed supplementary operational controls to be applied during carriage, not provided for in these Regulations, but which are necessary to ensure the safety of the package or to compensate for the deficiencies listed in accordance with paragraph (b), such as human intervention for temperature or pressure measurements or for periodic venting, taking into account the possibility of unexpected delay;

(d) details of any restrictions on the mode of transport and of any special loading, stowage, carriage or unloading procedures; and

(e) details of the maximum and minimum ambient conditions, in respect of temperature and solar radiation, expected to be encountered during carriage and which have been taken into account in the design.

Regulation 8(2)

SCHEDULE 5 Application for Approval of Package Design for Fissile Material

An application for approval of a package design for fissile material shall include—

(a) all the information necessary to satisfy the Secretary of State that the package design meets the requirements for package design for fissile material specified in the Approved Document, taking into account the nature, activity and form of the contents; and

(b) evidence of a quality assurance programme.

Regulation 10(3)

SCHEDULE 6 Application for Approval of Shipment under Special Arrangement

An application for approval of a shipment under special arrangement shall include—

(a) all the information necessary to satisfy the Secretary of State that the overall level of safety during carriage will be at least equivalent to that which would have been provided if all the applicable requirements of these Regulations had been met;

(b) a statement detailing—

(i) the respects in which the shipment does not comply with the applicable requirements, and

(ii) the reasons why the shipment cannot be sent in full accordance with the applicable requirements;

(c) a statement detailing any special precautions or special administrative or operational controls which are to be employed during carriage to compensate for the failure to meet the applicable requirements; and

(d) evidence of a suitable emergency plan.

Regulation 11(2)

SCHEDULE 7 Application for Approval of Shipment

An application for approval of a shipment under regulation 11 shall include—

(a) a statement of the period of time, related to the shipment for which the approval is sought;

(b) a description of the radioactive contents, the expected mode of transport, the type of conveyance and the probable or proposed route;

(c) details of how the special precautions and special administrative or operational controls, referred to in the package design approval certificates issued under regulations 6, 7 and 8, are to be put into effect; and

(d) evidence of a suitable emergency plan.

Regulation 15(1)

SCHEDULE 8 Package Inspection Requirements Prior to First Shipment

The inspection to be carried out before the first shipment of any package shall ensure that—

(a) where the design pressure of the containment system exceeds 35 kPa, the containment system of the package conforms to the approved design requirements which relate to the capability of the system to maintain its integrity under pressure;

(b) for each Type B package and for each packaging containing fissile material, the effectiveness of its shielding and containment system, and, where necessary, the heat transfer characteristics, fall within the limits applicable to or specified for the approved design; and

(c) for each packaging containing fissile material, where, in order to comply with the requirements of the Approved Document, neutron poisons are specifically included as components of the package, tests are performed to confirm the presence and distribution of those neutron poisons.

Regulation 15(2)

SCHEDULE 9 Package Inspection Requirements Prior to Any Shipment

The inspection to be carried out before any shipment of a package shall ensure that—

(a) any lifting attachments which do not meet the applicable requirements in paragraph 1 of the Approved Document have been removed or otherwise rendered incapable of being used for lifting the package;

(b) for each Type B package and for each packaging containing fissile material, all the requirements specified in the approval certificates and the applicable provisions of these Regulations have been complied with;

(c) each Type B package is held until equilibrium conditions have been approached closely enough to demonstrate compliance with the shipment requirements for temperature and pressure unless an exemption from these requirements has received unilateral approval;

(d) subject to paragraph (e), for each Type B package, an examination and where appropriate tests are carried out to ensure that all closures, valves, and other openings of the containment system through which the radioactive contents might escape are properly closed and, where appropriate, sealed; and

(e) paragraph (d) shall not apply to a Type B package where the containment system of that package is provided by radioactive material in special form, provided there is in existence a valid special form radioactive material approval certificate.

Regulation 16(2)

SCHEDULE 10 Notification of Shipment to Competent Authority

The notification required by regulation 16(2) shall be delivered to the competent authority at least 7 days prior to the commencement of the shipment and shall include—

(a) sufficient information to identify the package, including all applicable approval certificate numbers and competent authority identification marks;

(b) details of the date of shipment, the expected date of arrival and proposed routing;

(c) the name of the radioactive material or nuclide;

(d) a description of the physical and chemical form of the radioactive material, or whether it is special form radioactive material; and

(e) the maximum activity of the radioactive contents during carriage expressed in units of Bq with the appropriate SI prefix, except in the case of fissile material, where the mass of fissile material in units of grammes (g), or multiples thereof, may be used in place of activity.

Regulation 22(2)

SCHEDULE 11 Radiation Level Limits for Consignments under Exclusive Use

The radiation level for any consignment carried under exclusive use in a freight container or wagon shall not exceed—

(a) 10 mSv/h at any point on the external surfaces of any package or overpack, and may only exceed 2 mSv/h provided that—

(i) the freight container or wagon in which the consignment is carried is equipped with an enclosure which, during routine carriage, prevents the access of unauthorised persons to the interior of the enclosure,

(ii) provisions are made to secure the package or overpack so that its position within the freight container or wagon remains fixed during routine carriage, and

(iii) there are no intermediate loading or unloading operations during the carriage of that consignment;

(b) 2 mSv/h at any point on—

(i) the external surfaces of the freight container or wagon, (where the wagon is closed), or

(ii) the vertical planes projected from the outer edges of the wagon, on the upper surface of the load and on the lower external surface of the wagon, (where the wagon is open), and

(c) 0·1 mSv/h at any point 2 metres from—

(i) the vertical planes represented by the outer lateral surfaces of the freight container or wagon (where the wagon is closed), or

(ii) the vertical planes projected from the outer edges of the wagon (where the wagon is open).

Regulation 29(2)

SCHEDULE 12 Loading, Stowage and Unloading of Radioactive Material

Packages and overpacks in freight containers and wagons

1.  Packages and overpacks carried in a freight container or wagon shall be positioned so that they cannot shift dangerously or fall.

2.  A package or overpack may be carried among packaged general cargo in a freight container or wagon without any specific stowing provisions (except as may be specifically required by the Secretary of State in an applicable approval certificate), provided—

(a) its average surface heat flux does not exceed 15W/m2; and

(b) the immediately surrounding cargo is not in sacks or bags.

3.  In the case of a shipment under special arrangement,

(a) mixing of packages of different kinds of radioactive material, including fissile material; and

(b) mixing of different kinds of packages with different Transport Indexes,

in a freight container or wagon is prohibited, unless specifically authorised under the special arrangement.

Type B(U) and Type B(M) packages

4.  If the average heat flux from a Type B(U) or Type B(M) package being carried in a freight container or wagon could exceed 15 W/m2, any special stowage provisions specified in the package design approval certificate shall be observed.

5.  Subject to paragraphs 6 and 7, the maximum temperature of any surface of a Type B(U) or Type B(M) package which is readily accessible during carriage in a freight container or wagon shall not exceed 85°C in the absence of insulation under the ambient condition of 38°C.

6.  Where the maximum temperature of any accessible surface of a Type B(U) or Type B(M) package could exceed 50°C during carriage in a freight container or wagon, the package may only be carried under exclusive use.

7.  When determining the maximum temperatures referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6, account may be taken of barriers or screens intended to give protection to any person engaged in the carriage of a Type B(U) or Type B(M) package in a freight container or wagon without the barriers or screens being subject to any test.

Regulations 9(3) and 34

SCHEDULE 13 Information to be Displayed During Carriage

Part I Packages and Overpacks

1.  Paragraphs 2 to 11 shall apply to packages, other than excepted packages, and overpacks.

Common provisions

2.—(1) Each package and overpack shall display danger signs conforming to figure 2, 3 or 4 in Part III, according to the appropriate category.

(2) The danger signs referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall be affixed to two opposite sides of the package or overpack.

3.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), the following information shall be legibly and durably marked on each danger sign displayed in accordance with paragraph 2—

(a) in the upper half of each sign, the trefoil, conforming to the model depicted in figure 1 in Part III; and

(b) in the lower half of each sign—

(i) the word “RADIOACTIVE” followed by a single, double or triple vertical bar to indicate the category,

(ii) the CONTENTS in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) to (4),

(iii) the maximum ACTIVITY of the radioactive contents during carriage expressed in Bq with the appropriate SI prefix, except where the contents are fissile material where the total mass expressed in units of grammes (g) or multiples thereof may be displayed instead of activity,

(iv) for category II-YELLOW and category III-YELLOW, the Transport Index, and

(v) the figure “7” measuring not less than 25mm in height.

(2) Except for LSA-I , the CONTENTS shall comprise—

(a) subject to sub-paragraph (3)—

(i) the symbol of the radionuclide, specified in Table I of paragraph 19 of the Approved Document, and

(ii) the element and atomic number (hereinafter referred to in this Schedule as the “name”) of that radionuclide, where one is specified in that Table; and

(b) the group of LSA material or SCO (LSA-II, LSA-III, SCO-I or SCO-II, as appropriate), following the name of the radionuclide.

(3) For mixtures of radionuclides, the most restrictive nuclides shall be listed to the extent that the space on the line permits.

(4) For LSA-I, the CONTENTS shall comprise the term “LSA-I” only.

(5) The CONTENTS and ACTIVITY entries on each overpack shall reflect the entire contents of the overpack, except where the overpack concerned contains mixed loads of packages with different radionuclides, when those entries may be replaced by the words “see Carriage Information”.

4.  Where the package or overpack contains any radioactive material listed in paragraph 20 of the Approved Document in respect of which a subsidiary hazard is specified in that paragraph, the appropriate subsidiary hazard sign, determined in accordance with regulation 5 of the CDGCPL Regulations and conforming to the specification in Schedule 2 to those Regulations shall—

(a) be affixed to the package or overpack concerned, adjacent to each danger sign; and

(b) have sides which measure not less than 100 mm.

5.  Each package shall be legibly and durably marked with the UN number for the radioactive material shown in the Carriage Information.

Special provisions

6.  Each package with a gross mass exceeding 50 kg shall be legibly and durably marked on the outside with its permissible gross mass.

7.  Each TYPE A PACKAGE containing radioactive material other than fissile material shall be legibly and durably marked on the outside with the words “Type A”.

8.  Each TYPE B(U) PACKAGE and each TYPE B(M) PACKAGE containing radioactive material other than fissile material shall be legibly and durably marked on the outside with—

(a) the competent authority identification mark;

(b) the serial number to identify uniquely the packaging which conforms to the design for that package;

(c) the words “Type B(U)” or “Type B(M)”, as appropriate; and

(d) the trefoil symbol depicted in figure 1 in Part III, embossed or stamped on the outermost fire and water resistant receptacle.

9.  Each package and overpack containing fissile material shall be legibly and durably marked on the outside with—

(a) the competent authority identification mark; and

(b) the words “Type A”, “Type B(U)”, or “Type B(M)”, as appropriate.

10.  Where an excepted package contains radioactive material of limited activity, the packaging shall be legibly and durably marked with the word “RADIOACTIVE” on an internal surface.

11.  Where an excepted package contains any instrument or article (other than radio-luminescent time-pieces or devices) that instrument or article, as the case may be, shall be legibly and durably marked on the outside with the word “RADIOACTIVE”.

Part II Freight Containers, Tank Containers, Tank Wagons and Wagons

Interpretation

12.  For the purposes of paragraphs 13 to 20, any reference to the carriage of any radioactive material in a wagon shall include the carriage of radioactive material in a road vehicle on a wagon (“piggyback transport”).

Common provisions

13.—(1) Danger signs conforming to figure 2, 3 or 4 in Part III according to the appropriate category, shall be displayed on each freight container, tank container, tank wagon and wagon which is being used for the carriage of radioactive material, other than in the form of excepted packages.

(2) The danger signs referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall—

(a) be affixed to all four sides of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon;

(b) be affixed in a vertical plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon; and

(c) be clearly visible.

14.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), the following information shall be legibly and durably marked on each of the danger signs displayed in accordance with paragraph 13—

(a) in the upper half of each sign, the trefoil, conforming to figure 1 in Part III; and

(b) in the lower half of each sign—

(i) the word “RADIOACTIVE” followed by a single, double or triple vertical bar to indicate the category,

(ii) the CONTENTS in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) to (4),

(iii) the maximum ACTIVITY of the radioactive contents during carriage expressed in Bq with the appropriate SI prefix, except where the contents are fissile material where the total mass expressed in units of grammes (g) or multiples thereof may be displayed instead of the maximum activity,

(iv) for category II-YELLOW, and category III-YELLOW the TRANSPORT INDEX, and

(v) the figure “7”, measuring not less than 25mm in height.

(2) Except for LSA-I, the CONTENTS shall comprise—

(a) subject to sub-paragraph (3), the symbol of the radionuclide, as specified in Table I of paragraph 19 of the Approved Document, and the name of that radionuclide, where one is specified in that Table; and

(b) the group of LSA material or SCO (LSA-II, LSA-III, SCO-I or SCO-II, as appropriate), following the name of the radionuclide.

(3) For mixtures of radionuclides, the most restrictive nuclides shall be listed to the extent that the space on the line permits.

(4) For LSA-I, the CONTENTS shall comprise “LSA-I” only.

(5) The CONTENTS and ACTIVITY entries shall reflect the entire contents of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon, except where the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon concerned contains mixed loads of packages with different radionuclides, when those entries may be replaced by the words “see Carriage Information”.

15.—(1) Subject to paragraph 17, danger signs conforming to figure 5 in Part III shall be displayed on each freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon which is being used for the carriage of radioactive material, other than in the form of excepted packages.

(2) The danger signs referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall—

(a) be affixed to all four sides of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon;

(b) be affixed in a vertical plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon; and

(c) be clearly visible.

16.  The following information shall be legibly and durably marked on the danger signs displayed in accordance with paragraph 15—

(a) in the upper half of each sign, the trefoil conforming to figure 1 in Part III; and

(b) in the lower half of each sign—

(i) the word “RADIOACTIVE”, and

(ii) the figure “7”, measuring not less than 25 mm in height.

17.  The danger signs referred to in paragraph 15 need not be affixed to any freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon which is being used for the carriage of radioactive material, provided the sides of the danger signs displayed in accordance with paragraph 13 are enlarged to measure not less than 250 mm.

Special provisions

18.  Where the consignment is unpackaged LSA-I or SCO-I for carriage in a freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon or the consignment is packaged radioactive material having a single UN number for carriage under exclusive use, the appropriate UN number for the consignment shall be displayed in black digits not less than 65 mm high either—

(a) in the lower half of the danger signs displayed in accordance with paragraph 15; or

(b) on orange-coloured panels conforming to figure 6 in Part III, which shall—

(i) be affixed immediately adjacent to the danger signs displayed in accordance with paragraph 13,

(ii) be affixed in a vertical plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon, and

(iii) be clearly visible.

19.  Where the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon is being used for the carriage of any radioactive material listed in paragraph 20 of the Approved Document in respect of which a subsidiary hazard is specified in that paragraph, the appropriate subsidiary hazard sign, determined in accordance with regulation 5 of the CDGCPL Regulations and conforming to the specification in Schedule 2 to those Regulations shall—

(a) be affixed to the freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon concerned adjacent to each danger sign; and

(b) have sides which measure not less than 250 mm.

Part III Symbols, Signs and Panels

Fig. 1. Trefoil Symbol

Fig. 2. Category I-WHITE LabelThe background colour of the label shall be white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing shall be in black, and the colour of the category bar shall be red.

Fig. 3. Category II-YELLOW LabelThe background colour of the upper half of the label shall be yellow and the lower half white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing shall be in black, and the colour of the category bars shall be red.

Fig. 4. Category III-YELLOW LabelThe background colour of the upper half of the label shall be yellow and the lower half white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing shall be in black, and the colour of the category bars shall be red.

Fig. 5. PlacardMinimum dimensions are given: when larger dimensions are used the relative proportions must be maintained. The figure “7” shall not be less than 25mm high. The background colour of the upper half of the placard shall be yellow and the lower half white, the colour of the trefoil and the printing shall be black. The use of the word “RADIOACTIVE” in the bottom half is optional to allow the alternative use of this placard to display the appropriate United Nations number for the consignments.

Fig. 6. Placard for separate display of the United Nations numberThe background colour of the placard shall be orange and the border and United Nations number shall be black. The symbol “****” denotes the space in which the appropriate United Nations number for radioactive material, as specified in paragraph 20 of the Approved Document shall be displayed.

Regulation 35(2)(b)

SCHEDULE 14 Carriage Information

1.  Subject to paragraph 2, the Carriage Information shall comprise, in documentary form, in respect of each consignment, the following—

(a) the name and address of the consignor;

(b) the name and address of the consignee;

(c) the proper shipping name of the radioactive material, as specified in paragraph 20 of the Approved Document;

(d) the United Nations Class Number “7”;

(e) the words “radioactive material”, unless those words appear in the proper shipping name;

(f) the UN number assigned to the radioactive material, as specified in paragraph 20 of the Approved Document;

(g) for LSA material, the group notation “LSA-I”, “LSA-II” or “LSA-III”, as appropriate;

(h) for SCO, the group notation “SCO-I” or “SCO-II”, as appropriate;

(i) (i) the name or symbol of each radionuclide, or

(ii) for mixtures of radionuclides, a general description or a list of the most restrictive nuclides;

(j) a description of the physical and chemical form of the radioactive material or a statement that the radioactive material is special form radioactive material (a generic description is acceptable for chemical form);

(k) (i) the maximum activity of the radioactive contents during carriage expressed in Bq with the appropriate SI prefix, or

(ii) where the radioactive material is fissile material, the total mass of the material in units of grammes or appropriate multiples thereof;

(l) the category of each package determined in accordance with the Approved Document;

(m) for category II-YELLOW and category III-YELLOW packages, the Transport Index;

(n) where all the packages in the consignment contain fissile material and fall within paragraph 7 of the Approved Document, the words “FISSILE EXCEPTED”;

(o) the competent authority identification mark for each approval certificate applicable to the consignment;

(p) where the consignment consists of packages in an overpack, freight container or wagon, a statement of the contents of each package within the overpack, freight container or wagon concerned and, where appropriate, of each overpack, freight container or wagon in the consignment;

(q) where a consignment is to be carried under exclusive use, the statement “EXCLUSIVE USE SHIPMENT”;

(r) instructions concerning the loading, stowage, unloading and carriage of the package, overpack, freight container, tank container, tank wagon or wagon;

(s) the contingency plan required by regulation 27 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1985(1);

(t) subject to paragraph 3, the consignor’s declaration, dated and signed or authenticated by or on behalf of the consignor, in the following terms or in terms having equivalent meaning—

• “I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described in this Carriage Information by their proper shipping name and are classified, packaged, marked and labelled and are in all respects in a suitable condition for carriage by rail according to the applicable international and national governmental regulations”.

2.  The Carriage Information for excepted packages shall comprise—

(a) the words “RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE”; and

(b) the UN number and Proper Shipping Name for the radioactive material, as specified in paragraph 20 of the Approved Document.

3.  A facsimile signature on the consignor’s declaration is permitted in place of the original signature.

(1)

S.R. 1985 No. 273 to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations