HazMat HazMat Packaging and Containers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hazard class requires the use of Type A or Type B packages based on the radioactivity level of the material?
- Class 6 — Toxic substances
- Class 7 — Radioactive materials (Correct answer)
- Class 8 — Corrosive materials
- Class 9 — Miscellaneous hazardous materials
Correct answer: Class 7 — Radioactive materials
Class 7 (radioactive materials) mandates specific package types — Type A, Type B, or Type C — determined by the activity level of the radioactive contents.
Question 2: What does the 'Y' performance code on a UN specification packaging marking indicate?
- The package is approved for Packing Group I only
- The package is approved for Packing Groups II and III only (Correct answer)
- The package is approved for all three packing groups
- The package is approved for Packing Group III only
Correct answer: The package is approved for Packing Groups II and III only
The 'Y' code certifies the package for Packing Groups II and III but NOT the most hazardous Packing Group I materials.
Question 3: In HazMat combination packaging, how is an outer fiberboard box classified?
- Inner packaging
- Primary packaging
- Outer packaging (Correct answer)
- Intermediate bulk container
Correct answer: Outer packaging
A fiberboard box used to surround and protect inner receptacles in a combination package is classified as outer packaging under 49 CFR.
Question 4: How long must a shipper or manufacturer retain records of HazMat packaging design qualification tests?
- 1 year from the last test date
- 2 years after the last date the package design was used (Correct answer)
- 5 years from the original certification date
- 10 years from the date of manufacture
Correct answer: 2 years after the last date the package design was used
Per 49 CFR 178.601, packaging test records must be retained for at least 2 years after the last date the packaging design was used for shipping hazardous materials.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC)?
- A 1,000-liter rigid plastic container mounted on a pallet (Correct answer)
- A standard 55-gallon steel drum
- A 1-gallon glass bottle shipped inside a cardboard box
- A 5-gallon metal fuel can
Correct answer: A 1,000-liter rigid plastic container mounted on a pallet
IBCs are rigid or flexible portable packaging with a capacity between 0.45 and 3 cubic meters, such as large pallet-mounted totes or tanks used for bulk liquid chemicals.
Question 6: What standard must a closure on a package containing liquid hazardous materials meet?
- Any friction-fit lid that stays closed during normal handling
- A standard threaded plastic screw cap rated for the material
- A tape-sealed cardboard flap approved by the manufacturer
- The closure must be capable of passing a leakproofness test (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The closure must be capable of passing a leakproofness test
Closures on liquid HazMat packages must pass a leakproofness test to ensure no leakage occurs under the pressure conditions encountered during transport.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of cushioning material placed inside a HazMat outer package?
- To protect inner receptacles from impact and vibration during transport (Correct answer)
- To absorb any leaked hazardous material if the inner container fails
- To add ballast weight for stability during long-haul shipments
- To identify the hazard class of the material to handlers
Correct answer: To protect inner receptacles from impact and vibration during transport
Cushioning material is used to physically protect fragile inner receptacles from breaking or deforming due to impacts and vibration encountered during transport.
HazMat HazMat Packaging and Containers 2
Which hazard class requires the use of Type A or Type B packages based on the radioactivity level of the material?