Dangerous Goods by Road
A portable tank may not be filled and offered for carriage after the date of expiry of the last 5 year or
2.5 year periodic inspection and test as required by 6.7.4.14.2. However a portable tank filled prior to
the date of expiry of the last periodic inspection and test may be carried for a period not to exceed
three months beyond the date of expiry of the last periodic test or inspection. In addition, a portable
tank may be carried after the date of expiry of the last periodic test and inspection:
(a) After emptying but before cleaning, for purposes of performing the next required test or
inspection prior to refilling; and
(b) Unless otherwise approved by the competent authority, for a period not to exceed six months
beyond the date of expiry of the last periodic test or inspection, in order to allow the return of
dangerous goods for proper disposal or recycling. Reference to this exemption shall be
mentioned in the transport document.
The exceptional inspection and test is necessary when the portable tank shows evidence of damaged
or corroded areas, leakage, or any other conditions that indicate a deficiency that could affect the
integrity of the portable tank. The extent of the exceptional inspection and test shall depend on the
amount of damage or deterioration of the portable tank. It shall include at least the 2.5 year inspection
and test according to 6.7.4.14.4.
The internal examination during the initial inspection and test shall ensure that the shell is inspected
for pitting, corrosion, or abrasions, dents, distortions, defects in welds or any other conditions, that
might render the portable tank unsafe for carriage.
The external examination shall ensure that:
(a) The external piping, valves, pressurizing/cooling systems when applicable and gaskets are
inspected for corroded areas, defects, or any other conditions, including leakage, that might
render the portable tank unsafe for filling, discharge or carriage;
(b) There is no leakage at any manhole covers or gaskets;
(c) Missing or loose bolts or nuts on any flanged connection or blank flange are replaced or
tightened;
(d) All emergency devices and valves are free from corrosion, distortion and any damage or defect
that could prevent their normal operation. Remote closure devices and self-closing stop-valves
shall be operated to demonstrate proper operation;
(e) Required marks on the portable tank are legible and in accordance with the applicable
requirements; and
(f) The framework, the supports and the arrangements for lifting the portable tank are in
satisfactory condition.
The inspections and tests in 6.7.4.14.1, 6.7.4.14.3, 6.7.4.14.4 and 6.7.4.14.7 shall be performed or
witnessed by an expert approved by the competent authority or its authorized body. When the pressure
test is a part of the inspection and test, the test pressure shall be the one indicated on the data plate of
the portable tank. While under pressure, the portable tank shall be inspected for any leaks in the shell,
piping or equipment.
In all cases when cutting, burning or welding operations on the shell of a portable tank have been
effected, that work shall be to the approval of the competent authority or its authorized body taking
into account the pressure vessel code used for the construction of the shell. A pressure test to the
original test pressure shall be performed after the work is completed.
When evidence of any unsafe condition is discovered, the portable tank shall not be returned to
service until it has been corrected and the test is repeated and passed.
Marking
Every portable tank shall be fitted with a corrosion resistant metal plate permanently attached to the
portable tank in a conspicuous place readily accessible for inspection. When for reasons of portable
tank arrangements the plate cannot be permanently attached to the shell, the shell shall be marked with
at least the information required by the pressure vessel code. As a minimum, at least the following
information shall be marked on the plate by stamping or by any other similar method:
(a) Owner information
(i) Owner’s registration number;
(b) Manufacturing information
(i) Country of manufacture;
(ii) Year of manufacture;
(iii) Manufacturer’s name or mark;
(iv) Manufacturer’s serial number;
(c) Approval information
(i) The United Nations packaging symbol 
;
This symbol shall not be used for any purpose other than certifying that a packaging, a
flexible bulk container, a portable tank or a MEGC complies with the relevant
requirements in Chapter 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7 or 6.11;
(ii) Approval country;
(iii) Authorized body for the design approval;
(iv) Design approval number;
(v) Letters ‘AA’, if the design was approved under alternative arrangements (see 6.7.1.2);
(vi) Pressure vessel code to which the shell is designed;
(d) Pressures
(i) MAWP (in bar gauge or kPa gauge)3;
(ii) Test pressure (in bar gauge or kPa gauge)3;
(iii) Initial pressure test date (month and year);
(iv) Identification mark of the initial pressure test witness;
(e) Temperatures
(i) Minimum design temperature (in °C)3;
(f) Materials
(i) Shell material(s) and material standard reference(s);
(ii) Equivalent thickness in reference steel (in mm)3;
(g) Capacity
(i) Tank water capacity at 20 °C (in litres)3;
(h) Insulation
(i) Either "Thermally insulated" or "Vacuum insulated" (as applicable);
(ii) Effectiveness of the insulation system (heat influx) (in Watts)3;
(i) Holding times – for each refrigerated liquefied gas permitted to be carried in the portable tank
(i) Name, in full, of the refrigerated liquefied gas;
(ii) Reference holding time (in days or hours)3;
(iii) Initial pressure (in bar gauge or kPa gauge)3;
(iv) Degree of filling (in kg)3;
(j) Periodic inspections and tests
(i) Type of the most recent periodic test (2.5-year, 5-year or exceptional);
(ii) Date of the most recent periodic test (month and year);
(iii) Identification mark of the authorized body who performed or witnessed the most recent
test.
3 The unit used shall be indicated.
The following particulars shall be durably marked either on the portable tank itself or on a metal plate
firmly secured to the portable tank.
Name of the owner and the operator
Name of the refrigerated liquefied gas being carried (and minimum mean bulk temperature)
Maximum permissible gross mass (MPGM)________kg
Unladen (tare) mass________kg
Actual holding time for gas being carried ______days (or hours)
Portable tank instruction in accordance with 4.2.5.2.6
NOTE: For the identification of the refrigerated liquefied gas(es) being carried, see also Part 5.
If a portable tank is designed and approved for handling in open seas, the words "OFFSHORE
PORTABLE TANK" shall be marked on the identification plate.
Requirements for the design, construction, inspection and testing of UN multiple-element gas containers (MEGCs) intended for the carriage of non-refrigerated gases
Definitions
For the purposes of this section:
Alternative arrangement means an approval granted by the competent authority for a portable tank or
MEGC that has been designed, constructed or tested to technical requirements or testing methods
other than those specified in this Chapter;
Elements are cylinders, tubes or bundles of cylinders;
Leakproofness test means a test using gas subjecting the elements and the service equipment of the
MEGC to an effective internal pressure of not less than 20% of the test pressure;
Manifold means an assembly of piping and valves connecting the filling and/or discharge openings of
the elements;
Maximum permissible gross mass (MPGM) means the sum of the tare mass of the MEGC and the
heaviest load authorized for carriage;
UN Multiple-element gas containers (MEGCs) are multimodal assemblies of cylinders, tubes and
bundles of cylinders which are interconnected by a manifold and which are assembled within a
framework. The MEGC includes service equipment and structural equipment necessary for the
carriage of gases;
Service equipment means measuring instruments and filling, discharge, venting and safety devices;
Structural equipment means the reinforcing, fastening, protective and stabilizing members external to
the elements.
General design and construction requirements
The MEGC shall be capable of being filled and discharged without the removal of its structural
equipment. It shall possess stabilizing members external to the elements to provide structural integrity
for handling and carriage. MEGCs shall be designed and constructed with supports to provide a secure
base during carriage and with lifting and tie-down attachments which are adequate for lifting the
MEGC including when filled to its maximum permissible gross mass. The MEGC shall be designed to
be loaded onto a vehicle, wagon or sea-going or inland navigation vessel and shall be equipped with
skids, mountings or accessories to facilitate mechanical handling.