Road transportation of explosives, including
display fireworks, is regulated primarily by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Directorate of Transport Canada (TDG) and partially by the Explosives Regulatory
Division (ERD).
8.2
Classification of Display Fireworks
TDG derives their requirements from a
classification system based on the type, potential hazard, and compatibility of fireworks
and explosives materials. This chapter sets out the pertinent information dealing
with dangerous goods packaged for transportation. It has been prepared for use as a
ready reference and has no legal force or effect. For legal interpretation, consult
the official version of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations.
8.3
Transportation Classes for Display Fireworks
The most common transportation classes for
display fireworks in Canada are:
- 1.1G (e.g. shells over 155mm and sound shells) UN 03333
- 1.3G (e.g. aerial shells) UN 0335
- 1.4S (e.g. electric matches, squibs) UN 0454
8.4
Compatibility of Display Fireworks
"G" fireworks articles can be
stored and transported together.
1.4S electric matches (listed as initiators)
must be:
- Partitioned to isolate 1.4S items from other
articles in the same container, or
- Transported in a separate container.
8.5
Placarding
Placarding is required in order to
communicate to the Police, the Emergency Response Team and the public the greatest
potential danger of the materials you are transporting.
10 kg *NEQ or less
Placarding is not required if you are transporting 10 kg NEQ or less of fireworks
articles.
More than 10 kg *NEQ
Placarding is mandatory if you are transporting more than 10 kg NEQ of fireworks
articles.
If you are transporting 1.4G, placarding is
required at 1000 kg or at quantities that require an Emergency Response Action Plan
(EARP).
Placarding
Procedure:
- Place one plainly visible orange placard on
each of the vehicles four sides.
- Always placard to the highest risk of danger or risk faced by the public,
not the most sensitive item. Example: If you are transporting 1.3G materials
together with 1.4S initiators, the proper placard is 1.3G.
*NEQ = Net Explosive Quantity:
the actual weight excluding packaging, wiring or cases. It is generally accepted
that 50% of the gross weight of display fireworks constitutes the NEQ.
8.6
Documentation
If you are carrying any type or quantity of
display fireworks, your shipping document must comply with Part 3 of TDG (unless exempted)
and include:
- Date
- Name and address of consignor
- Name of first carrier
- Description of the explosives in the following order: Shipping name,
Primary classification, including compatibility group, UN Product Identification Number,
Total quantity of the explosives (NEQ).
8.7
Training Certificate
If you employ others or yourself in the
handling and transportation of any fireworks or explosive (excluding 1.4S products), you
must:
- Ensure that you or your
employees have the training necessary to perform the work safely. Training may be
formal, informal, or simply on-th-job. It should provide a sound knowledge of:
- The products being carried
- Safe methods of handling the
products
- Emergency procedures in the event of
an accident
- The required shipping documents
- Issue a certificate of
training for each person, which states:
- The nature of the training undertaken
- The date that the training was
completed
- Renew the certificate every 36
months
8.8
Employee's Responsibility
When handling, presenting or transporting
dangerous goods, employees must:
- Possess a valid training certificate.
- Have the certificate available for inspection.
8.9
Vehicles, Drivers, Passengers
- You must be at least 18 years
old to drive a vehicle carrying explosives.
- A list must be available in the vehicle stating who is permitted to drive
and accompany the vehicle.
- When carrying any quantity of UN0333 and/or UN0334 fireworks or more than
20 kg of Un0335 and/or UN0336 fireworks no passengers (people not involved with the
fireworks) are allowed to travel in the same vehicle.
- Never smoke in or near the vehicle.
- Your vehicle must be mechanically sound. It must:
- Be able to pass a safety check.
- Be fully serviced before loading.
- Be inspected for defects before each
trip.
- Carry a 10 B:C fire extinguisher within easy access to the driver.
- Keep the cargo area fully enclosed and locked.
- Load, stow and unloae fireworks and other dangerous goods separately.
- Never tow a vehicle transporting fireworks without written permission from
the ERD unless transporting by semi-trailer when attached to a truck trailer.
- Never leave your vehicle unattended while carrying fireworks or any
explosive.
8.10
Special Situations
For special transportation situations,
request a Permit for Equivalent Level Safety from TDG.
