Understanding the degree of danger that your dangerous goods pose is crucial to ensuring health and safety in your workplace. And one of the considerations you’ll have to make when you’re working with dangerous goods is the classifications, divisions and/or packing group that is assigned to your chemical product.
In this post, we’ll be specifically looking at flammable liquids, such as acetone or ethanol, and explaining what packing groups apply to this dangerous goods class. This will help you understand how to identify your flammable liquid and determine the degree of danger that your substance is to your operations. But first, let’s start with explaining what a packing group is.
What is a Packing Group?
A packing group is a hazard group applied to dangerous goods, as assigned in the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code.
The packing group determines the degree of danger that is associated with that particular product within the dangerous goods class or division in regard to the transportation of the goods.
IMPORTANT: The packing group is also used to determine some flammable liquids storage conditions, such as minor storage and separation distances. We'll get to this later in the post.
Packing Group Classifications
Flammable liquids may be assigned one of 3 packing groups. The packing groups are listed in Roman numerals from most to least dangerous on a scale of 1 to 3.
The packing groups for flammable liquids are as follows:
- Packing Group 1 (PG I) High danger
- Packing Group 2 (PG II) Medium danger
- Packing Group 3 (PG III) Low danger
Why are Packing Groups Needed?
As the name suggests, the packing group of dangerous goods is essential for the safe transportation of the goods. Packing groups are determined by the UN Model Dangerous Goods Regulations, which provides a global system for the packaging of substances for the purpose of transport.
This system includes a list of UN packing groups for dangerous goods classes and divisions, as well as specific packing instructions for that substance. Identifying the packing group, and following the required packaging instructions, allows for the safe transport of dangerous goods across Australia and the globe.
What are the Packing Group Details for Flammable Liquids?
Some flammable liquids are assigned to Packing Group III (PG III). This is the hazard group that represents low danger.
These PG III flammable liquids are those that are:
- Stored or handled at temperatures at or above their flash point
- Stored or handled at elevated temperatures in a liquid state, and which give off a flammable vapour at a temperature at or below the maximum storage or handling temperature
Other flammable liquids are assigned to packing groups in accordance with Australian Dangerous Goods Code criteria – which corresponds with GHS categories.
IMPORTANT: For detailed guidance about flammable liquids, refer to Section 1.4.50 in the Australian Standard 1940.
Understanding the Packing Group, GHS Category and ADG Criteria
The globally harmonised system for the classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) categorises substances as a ‘flammable liquid’ if the liquid has a flash point of 93 degrees Celsius or less.
When referencing the packing groups of flammable liquids, you may notice references to the GHS category system. Flammable liquids packing groups I, III and III and the same as GHS categories 1, 2 and 3.
The GHS is the classification and labelling that applies to hazardous chemicals in workplaces, whereas the ADG Code applies when transporting dangerous goods.
The ADG Code offers information regarding the management of immediate hazards, while the GHS system offers information for the use, handling and storage of chemicals in relation to the physical and health hazards posed by the substance.
Flammable liquid packing groups are as follows:
- Packing group I (which represents high danger) has a flash point LESS than 23 degrees Celsius, with initial boiling point EQUAL or LESS than 35 degrees Celsius.
- Packing group II (which represents medium danger) has a flash point LESS than 23 degrees Celsius, with initial boiling point greater than 35 degrees Celsius.
- Packing group III (which represents low danger) has a flash point EQUAL OR GREATER THAN 23 degrees Celsius and EQUAL OR LESS THAN 60 degrees Celsius.
GHS 4: While there is no packing group assigned for goods with a GHS category of 4, these flammable liquids are low risk with a flash point GREATER than 60 degrees Celsius and EQUAL OR LESS THAN 93 degrees Celsius.
REMEMBER: While there are some differences between the systems, there are comparable symbols – such as the similarities between GHS and packing group classes for flammable liquids.
How Does the Flammable Liquid Packing Group Affect Package Stores?
The packing group of your flammable liquids may affect your package stores in a variety of ways:
- Minor storage quantities - there are differences between the maximum quantity classed as minor storage for PG I or PG II flammable liquids, as compared with PG III. *PG I flammable liquids in containers larger than 2.5 L must not be kept in minor storage unless essential for daily operations and handled by trained personnel.
- Separation distances - when separating package stores from protected places, the amount of flammable liquid held - and its packing group - will determine the minimum distance required.
The packing group of your flammable liquids may affect the quantities that you store, as well as your separation distances from protected places.
Examples of Flammable Liquids Packing Groups
Some common packing groups for flammable liquids may be:
- Diethyl ether - PG I
- Acetone - P II
- Methanol - PG II
- Ethanol - PG II
IMPORTANT: You can learn more about packing groups by reading the Australian Dangerous for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail (ADG) Code. This details the assignment of packing groups for each dangerous goods class and division.
Where Do You Find The Packing Group on Your Dangerous Goods?
So, where do you find the packing group on your flammable liquids or dangerous goods?
To identify the packing group of your particular chemical product, you must first refer to the label and safety data sheet of your substance. This will inform you of the dangerous goods class or subdivision of your chemicals, as well as the packing group that may be applicable.
See below for an example from a petrol SDS for the hazard identification in Section 2 of the SDS:
And the packing group information in Section 14 Transport of the unleaded petrol SDS:
Identifying Harmful Chemicals and Controlling Risk
As we’ve highlighted in this post, the packing group is a consideration when transporting your flammable liquids and dangerous goods. Your good’s class or division is also necessary for understanding the requirements that apply to the storage and handling of the substance. There are many hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods that are used in workplaces – and sometimes, identifying these can be difficult. If you’d like some help with identifying hazardous chemicals, why not download our free eBook. We offer information about the hazards associated with these chemicals, as well as strategies to educate yourself so you can identify them correctly. Get your copy today to find out more.
