Dangerous Goods by Road
Gauging devices
When an MEGC is intended to be filled by mass, it shall be equipped with one or more gauging
devices. Level-gauges made of glass or other fragile material shall not be used.
MEGC supports, frameworks, lifting and tie-down attachments
MEGCs shall be designed and constructed with a support structure to provide a secure base during
carriage. The forces specified in 6.7.5.2.8 and the safety factor specified in 6.7.5.2.10 shall be
considered in this aspect of the design. Skids, frameworks, cradles or other similar structures are
acceptable.
The combined stresses caused by element mountings (e.g. cradles, frameworks, etc.) and MEGC
lifting and tie-down attachments shall not cause excessive stress in any element. Permanent lifting and
tie-down attachments shall be fitted to all MEGCs. In no case shall mountings or attachments be
welded onto the elements.
In the design of supports and frameworks, the effects of environmental corrosion shall be taken into
account.
When MEGCs are not protected during carriage, according to 4.2.4.3, the elements and service
equipment shall be protected against damage resulting from lateral or longitudinal impact or
overturning. External fittings shall be protected so as to preclude the release of the elements' contents
upon impact or overturning of the MEGC on its fittings. Particular attention shall be paid to the
protection of the manifold. Examples of protection include:
(a) Protection against lateral impact which may consist of longitudinal bars;
(b) Protection against overturning which may consist of reinforcement rings or bars fixed across
the frame;
(c) Protection against rear impact which may consist of a bumper or frame;
(d) Protection of the elements and service equipment against damage from impact or overturning
by use of an ISO frame in accordance with the relevant provisions of ISO 1496-3:1995.
Design approval
The competent authority or its authorized body shall issue a design approval certificate for any new
design of an MEGC. This certificate shall attest that the MEGC has been surveyed by that authority, is
suitable for its intended purpose and meets the requirements of this Chapter, the applicable provisions
for gases of Chapter 4.1 and of packing instruction P200. When a series of MEGCs are manufactured
without change in the design, the certificate shall be valid for the entire series. The certificate shall
refer to the prototype test report, the materials of construction of the manifold, the standards to which
the elements are made and an approval number. The approval number shall consist of the
distinguishing sign or mark of the country granting the approval, indicated by the distinguishing sign
used on vehicles in international road traffic2, and a registration number. Any alternative
arrangements according to 6.7.1.2 shall be indicated on the certificate. A design approval may serve
for the approval of smaller MEGCs made of materials of the same type and thickness, by the same
fabrication techniques and with identical supports, equivalent closures and other appurtenances.
The prototype test report for the design approval shall include at least the following:
(a) The results of the applicable framework test specified in ISO1496-3:1995;
(b) The results of the initial inspection and test specified in 6.7.5.12.3;
(c) The results of the impact test specified in 6.7.5.12.1; and
(d) Certification documents verifying that the cylinders and tubes comply with the applicable
standards.
Inspection and testing
MEGCs meeting the definition of container in the International Convention for Safe Containers
(CSC), 1972, as amended, shall not be used unless they are successfully qualified by subjecting a
representative prototype of each design to the Dynamic, Longitudinal Impact Test prescribed in the
Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part IV, Section 41.
The elements and items of equipment of each MEGC shall be inspected and tested before being put
into service for the first time (initial inspection and test). Thereafter, MEGCs shall be inspected at no
more than five-year intervals (5 year periodic inspection). An exceptional inspection and test shall be
performed, regardless of the last periodic inspection and test, when necessary according to 6.7.5.12.5.
The initial inspection and test of an MEGC shall include a check of the design characteristics, an
external examination of the MEGC and its fittings with due regard to the gases to be carried, and a
pressure test performed at the test pressures according to packing instruction P200 of 4.1.4.1. The
2 Distinguishing sign of the State of registration used on motor vehicles and trailers in international road traffic,
e.g. in accordance with the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 1949 or the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of
1968.
pressure test of the manifold may be performed as a hydraulic test or by using another liquid or gas
with the agreement of the competent authority or its authorized body. Before the MEGC is placed into
service, a leakproofness test and a test of the satisfactory operation of all service equipment shall also
be performed. When the elements and their fittings have been pressure-tested separately, they shall be
subjected together after assembly to a leakproofness test.
The 5-year periodic inspection and test shall include an external examination of the structure, the
elements and the service equipment in accordance with 6.7.5.12.6. The elements and the piping shall
be tested at the periodicity specified in packing instruction P200 and in accordance with the provisions
described in 6.2.1.6. When the elements and equipment have been pressure-tested separately, they
shall be subjected together after assembly to a leakproofness test.