CLASS 3 – FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Class 3 consists of flammable liquids and liquid desensitised explosives.
Class 3 substances can be in UN Packing Groups I, II, or III.
Flammable liquids are liquids which are capable of being ignited and burned. Specifically:
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liquids, mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension which give off a flammable vapour (have a flash point) at temperatures of not more than 60-65°C. (for example, paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc., but not including substances otherwise classified on account of their dangerous characteristics.)
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liquids offered for transport at temperatures at or above their flash point or substances transported at elevated temperatures in a liquid state and which give off a flammable vapour at a temperature at or below the maximum transport temperature.
Per the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) a flammable liquid is classified in one of four categories:
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Flash point < 23°C and initial boiling point ≤ 35°C (examples: carbon disulphide, isopropylamine.)
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Flash point < 23°C and initial boiling point >35°C (examples: petrol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone.)
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Flash point ≥ 23°C and ≤ 60°C (examples: kerosene, tea tree oil.)
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Flash point > 60°C and ≤ 93°C (examples: diesel fuel, fuel oil.)
Liquid desensitised explosives are explosive substances which are dissolved or suspended in water or other liquid substances, to form an homogeneous liquid mixture to suppress their explosives properties. Entries in the Dangerous Goods List for liquid desensitised explosives are:
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UN 1204 (nitroglycerin, solution in alcohol);
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UN 2059 (nitrocellulose, solution, flammable);
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UN 3064 (nitroglycerin, solution in alcohol);
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UN 3343 (nitroglycerin mixture, desensitised, liquid, flammable, n.o.s);
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UN 3357 (nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized, liquid, n.o.s); and
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UN 3379 (desensitised explosive, liquid, n.o.s.)
Sub-Divisions
There are no subdivisions within Class 3, Flammable Liquids
PACKING GROUPS
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Packing group I: Assigned to flammable liquids with an initial boiling point less-than-or-equal-to 35°C.
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Packing group II: assigned to flammable liquids with a flash point less-than-or-equal-to 23°C and an initial boiling point of greater than 35°C.
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Packing group III: Assigned to flammable liquids with a flash point greater-than-or-equal-to 23°C but less-than-or-equal-to 60.5°C and an initial boiling point of greater than 35°C.
Commonly Transported Flammable Liquids:
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Acetone oils
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Adhesives
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Alcohols
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Aviation fuel
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Butanols
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Carbamate insecticides
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Coal tar / coal tar distillates
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Copper based pesticides
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Diesel fuel
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Diethyl ether
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Esters
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Ethers
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Ethyl Mercaptan (LPG odourants)
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Gas oil
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Gasoline / Petrol
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Heating oil
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Isobutanols
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Isopropyls
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Kerosene
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Liquid bio-fuels
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Nitrocellulose solution
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Nitroglycerin mixture, desensitized
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Nitroglycerin solution in alcohol
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Octanes
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Organochlorine pesticides
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Organophosphorus pesticides
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Paints / lacquers / varnishes
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Perfumery products
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Petroleum crude oil
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Petroleum distillates (naphtha, Shellite/Recosol R55, white spirits, paint thinners, etc.)
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Polyester Resin Kits (fibreglass repair kit liquid hardener)
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Rosalina Oil (Lavender Tea Oil)
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Resins
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Shale oil (fuel oil, marine fuel)
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Tars
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Terpene Hydrocarbon (Tea Tree oil)
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Turpentine

