Hazardous Cargo Card Codes

Is there some website that lists the codes shown on the diamond-shaped tags used to identify hazardous cargos? (see the photo I posted today on page 2 of the "Freds?" topic)

Does the Trucking Industry (BOO, HISS ) use the same codes?

Although, probably none of us REALLY wants to know how to read those codes, and to know what the tanks actually contain

Thanks, Hank

[ 28 April 2001: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]

 

Hank, there are two types of codes, UN numbers and NA numbers. That means just what you might think, United Nations and North American. The UN numbers (hazmat codes) are used worldwide, which is not a bad idea - 1203 is gasoline the world over. NA codes are used on some items that the UN does not consider hazmats but the US and Canada do. A list of the numbers, their descriptions, the hazmat STCC (49 xxx xx) and rating STCC (Standard Transportation Commodity Code) are all in 49 CFR - try the DOT website. These numbers (UN and NA xxxx) are used by all transportation modes.

 

I think this is what you are looking for.

Hazardous Cargo Card Codes

 

SlimJim - thanks, that's great ... however the MSDS (PERS) list you linked me to is sorted by material which is oriented to the shipper.

However, a HAZMAT Team needs a list sorted by code, which will identify their risk immediately, and their required defense.

After I sign off the TB, I'll follow the MSDS list to see if they have the Code Sort. If not, I'll look into the DOT site as Gregg suggested. (it's just that the Government NEVER makes things easy

Thanks both y'all, Hank

[ 28 April 2001: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]

 

Are you talking about the color coded diamonds that you see on buildings, rail cars, trucks, tanks, etc? If so, those are the designed for first responders to immediately assess the risk of exposure.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed a system for indicating the health, flammability and reactivity hazards of chemicals.



This image and chart are from the Office of Radiation, Chemical & Biological Safety at Michigan State University.

 </p>

<div align="center"><center>


<table BORDER="1">

<tr>

<td colspan="3"><h3 align="center">Rating Summary</h3>

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td colspan="3" bgcolor="#0000FF"><p align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF">Health</font></td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>4</td>

<td>Danger</td>

<td>May be fatal on short exposure. Specialized protective equipment required</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>3</td>

<td>Warning</td>

<td>Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or inhalation</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>2</td>

<td>Warning</td>

<td>May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>1</td>

<td>Caution</td>

<td>May be irritating</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>0</td>

<td> </td>

<td>No unusual hazard</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td colspan="3" bgcolor="#FF0000"><p align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF">Flammability</font></td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>4</td>

<td>Danger</td>

<td>Flammable gas or extremely flammable liquid</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>3</td>

<td>Warning</td>

<td>Flammable liquid flash point below 100° F</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>2</td>

<td>Caution</td>

<td>Combustible liquid flash point of 100° to 200° F</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>1</td>

<td> </td>

<td>Combustible if heated</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>0</td>

<td> </td>

<td>Not combustible</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFFF00"><font color="#FFFFFF"><p align="center"></font>Reactivity</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>4</td>

<td>Danger</td>

<td>Explosive material at room temperature</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>3</td>

<td>Danger</td>

<td>May be explosive if shocked, heated under confinement or mixed with water</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>2</td>

<td>Warning</td>

<td>Unstable or may react violently if mixed with water</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>1</td>

<td>Caution</td>

<td>May react if heated or mixed with water but not violently</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>0</td>

<td>Stable</td>

<td>Not reactive when mixed with water</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p align="center">Special Notice Key </td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td colspan="2">W</td>

<td>Water Reactive</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td colspan="2">Oxy</td>

<td>Oxidizing Agent</td>

</tr>

</table>

</center></div>

As a "first responder" I carry a chart of these colors with me on every shift (HINT: 10-87 is radio code for "meet me at...")

[ 29 April 2001: Message edited by: ten87 ]

 

Checking my CP/SOO timetable & rule book (just got it Friday and it is the bestest thing ever by the way - I strongly suggest every modeler or railfan get your hands on one for your favourite road)

Anyway - it also includes several catagories of ORANGE sings - these are EXPLOSIVES - so if you are looking at a box car with Orange HazMat signage you might want to put out that cigarette

BTW - there are all kinds of switching and position in train rules. Of the most note for modelers is taht every single hazmat catagory must never be the last car in a train that has no caboose. Most of them should not be positioned next to an engine or a caboose. There's about 8 pages in here of hazmat rules. very interesting stuff...

 

Paul,

I found mine from the 'Trading Post' section of National Association Of Timetable Collectors web site.

The rule book section of mine is also valid for the UP, C&NW, BN, ATSF - it's 1995 so BNSF is not a part of my modeling world

 

The 'bible' for hazmat stuff is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It lists materials by 4 digit ID number, name or 3 digit reference number. It also contains evacuation guidelines, firefighting information, first aid, health issues and protective clothing requirements. All train and engine service people are required to have it and know how to use it. Car placement in a train and special handling for hazmat is covered by the timetable.

 

Alan, you're right ... less than 15 hours from my question to a bunch of good information ... what a great bunch of Members

Ed, your info is very good, I had never paid much attention to building warning signs. The HAZMAT codes on trains and trucks appear to be very specific, I believe down to chemical composition. On the other hand, the colors that your post shows may be the same ones used as background on the HAZMAT cards.

I'm going to follow through with the suggestions and links. If I can come up with a simple summary of codes, I'll try to post it, or at least its link.

Thanks again guys, Hank

 

The link I posted above lets you look up the NFPA numbers by hazard number. My booklet I carry has 247 pages of numbers for every conceivable chemical. You might want to check out the DOT's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety web page for the minutae you may need for your modeling.

 

This topic was started way back in April of 2001. I am bringing it forward because it contains good information that can be used for our general knowledge and for detailing tank cars on our layouts. I also wonder of anyone has any updates after all this time.