For transitional measures concerning the application of this Chapter, see:

A substance subject to ADR may be carried in fixed tanks (tank-vehicles), demountable tanks, batteryvehicles, tank-containers, tank swap bodies and MEGCs only when provision is made for a tank code according to 4.3.3.1.1 and 4.3.4.1.1 in Column (12) of Table A in Chapter 3.2.

The required type of tank, battery-vehicle and MEGC is given in code form in Column (12) of Table A in Chapter 3.2. The explanations for reading the four parts of the code are given in 4.3.3.1.1 (when the substance to be carried belongs to Class 2) and in 4.3.4.1.1 (when the substance to be carried belongs to Classes 1 and 3 to 9)1.

The required type according to 4.3.2.1.2 corresponds to the least stringent construction requirements which are acceptable for the dangerous substance in question unless otherwise prescribed in this Chapter or in Chapter 6.8. It is possible to use tanks corresponding to codes prescribing a higher minimum calculation pressure, or more stringent requirements for filling or discharge openings or for safety valves/devices (see 4.3.3.1.1 for Class 2 and 4.3.4.1.1 for Classes 3 to 9).

1 An exception is made for tanks intended for the carriage of substances of classes 1, 5.2 or 7 (see 4.3.4.1.3).

For certain substances, tanks, battery-vehicles or MEGCs are subject to additional provisions which are included as special provisions in Column (13) of Table A in Chapter 3.2.

Tanks, battery-vehicles and MEGCs shall not be loaded with any dangerous substances other than those for the carriage of which they have been approved according to 6.8.2.3.1 and which, in contact with the materials of the shell, gaskets, equipment and protective linings, are not liable to react dangerously with them (see "dangerous reaction" in 1.2.1), to form dangerous products or appreciably to weaken these materials2.

Foodstuffs shall not be carried in tanks used for dangerous substances unless the necessary steps have been taken to prevent any harm to public health.

The tank record shall be retained by the owner or the operator who shall be able to provide this documentation at the request of the competent authority. The tank record shall be maintained throughout the life of the tank and retained for 15 months after the tank is taken out of service.

Should a change of owner or operator occur during the life of the tank the tank record shall be transferred without delay to the new owner or operator.

Copies of the tank record or all necessary documents shall be made available to the expert for tests, inspections and checks on tanks in accordance with 6.8.2.4.5 or 6.8.3.4.18, on the occasion of periodic inspections or exceptional checks.

The following degrees of filling shall not be exceeded in tanks intended for the carriage of liquids at ambient temperatures:

(a) for flammable substances, environmentally hazardous substances and flammable environmentally hazardous substances, without additional hazards (e.g. toxicity or corrosivity), in tanks with a breather device or with safety valves (even where preceded by a bursting disc):

(b) for toxic or corrosive substances (whether flammable or environmentally hazardous or not) in tanks with a breather device or with safety valves (even where preceded by a bursting disc):

(c) for flammable substances, environmentally hazardous substances and slightly toxic or corrosive substances (whether flammable or environmentally hazardous or not) in hermetically closed tanks without a safety device:

(d) for highly toxic, toxic, highly corrosive or corrosive substances (whether flammable or environmentally hazardous or not) in hermetically closed tanks without a safety device:

In these formulae, α is the mean coefficient of cubical expansion of the liquid between 15 °C and 50 °C, i.e. for a maximum variation in temperature of 35 °C.

α is calculated by the formula:

where d15 and d50 are the relative densities of the liquid at 15 °C and 50 °C respectively.
tF is the mean temperature of the liquid during filling.

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2 It may be necessary to consult the manufacturer of the substance and the competent authority for guidance on the compatibility of the substance with the materials of the tank, battery-vehicle or MEGC.

The provisions of 4.3.2.2.1 (a) to (d) above shall not apply to tanks whose contents are, by means of a heating device, maintained at a temperature above 50 °C during carriage. In this case the degree of filling at the outset shall be such, and the temperature so regulated, that the tank is not full to more than 95% of its capacity and that the filling temperature is not exceeded, at any time during carriage.

Shells intended for the carriage of substances in the liquid state or liquefied gases or refrigerated liquefied gases, which are not divided by partitions or surge plates into sections of not more than 7 500 litres capacity, shall be filled to not less than 80% or not more than 20% of their capacity.
This provision is not applicable to:
- liquids with a kinematic viscosity at 20 °C of at least 2 680 mm2/s;
- molten substances with a kinematic viscosity at the temperature of filling of at least 2 680 mm2/s;
- UN 1963 HELIUM, REFRIGERATED, LIQUID and UN 1966 HYDROGEN, REFRIGERATED, LIQUID.