New Regulations for Aerosol Canisters in the Maritime Dangerous Goods Regulations

The "International Maritime Dangerous Goods Regulations" (hereinafter referred to as the "International Regulations") is the International Maritime Organization's implementation of the "International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as amended" and the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, as amended by the 1978 Protocol. The enacted mandatory rules play an important role in ensuring the safe transportation of dangerous goods packaged and preventing them from polluting the marine environment.

In May 2010, the 87th meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization passed the 35th amendment to the International Regulations. According to the 294th meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee, the 35th amendment to the "International Regulations on Illegal Regulations" was implemented voluntarily on January 1, 2011 and enforced on January 1, 2012.

Compared with the 2008 edition of the "International Regulatory Regulations," the 2011 edition did not focus on major revisions, but the changes were scattered throughout the chapters. Among them, detailed regulations concerning the export packaging of aerosol aerosols were made, and the classification requirements for dangerous goods were adjusted. The list of dangerous goods was adjusted accordingly, new limit signs were added, and the marking requirements for packaging containers were modified.

This article briefly introduces the new regulations for aerosol can packaging in the International Danger Regulations.

First, design and manufacture

1. The design, production, testing and equipment of aerosol canisters and their enclosures must withstand all conditions of normal transport, including fatigue.

2. Considering the advancement of science and technology, in addition to aerosol cans bearing the UN certification mark, some aerosol cans can be used within the scope of countries and regions. Aerosol cans that meet the requirements of these regulations are transported and used. Approval by the competent national authority may also be used.

3. In any case, the minimum thickness must not be lower than the design and construction technical standards.

4. Soldered aerosol cans only allow the use of weldable metal.

5. Each aerosol can container assembled in the assembly package must be supported and fixed as a unit on the structure. The aerosol cans should be fixed in such a manner as to prevent relative movement between the container and the container and may cause movement of harmful local stress concentrations.

6. To prevent contact between different metals that may be damaged by electrical action.

Second, the material

1. The structural material of the closed device in direct contact with the aerosol canister and its hazardous materials shall not be affected by the intended transport hazard or be dangerous. Such as catalytic reactions or reactions with dangerous goods.

2. Aerosol canisters and their closures shall be manufactured using the design and construction technical standards and the materials that are intended to be used in the packaging instructions applicable to the transport of materials in pressure vessels. These materials must be resistant to fragmentation and stress corrosion fission according to design and construction technical standards.

Third, the auxiliary device

1. The valves and other accessories to which the aerosol cans are subjected to pressure shall be so designed and constructed that the explosion pressure thereof can withstand at least 1.5 times the test pressure of the aerosol cans.

2. The design of the auxiliary device of the aerosol can valve shall be able to prevent the danger caused by the leakage of the contents of the aerosol can under the normal conditions of transportation and handling. The valve and its protective cap must be fastened and prevented from opening accidentally.

3, Each aerosol canister valve must have a pressure release function in line with the provisions. The design of the valve should be able to prevent the entry of external substances, the leakage of internal air pressure and the prevention of dangerous excessive internal pressure. The pressure release device shall be capable of venting the gas directly into the open air. The method of discharge shall be such as to prevent any impact of the vented gas on the aerosol can itself under normal conditions of transport.

IV. Approval of aerosol can containers

1. The compliance of aerosol cans must be evaluated at the time of production according to the requirements of the competent authority. Aerosol cans must be inspected, tested and approved by inspection agencies. Technical documents must include all specifications for design and construction and all documents for production and testing.

2. The quality assurance system must meet the requirements of the competent authority.

V. Inspection and testing before entering the factory

1. During the production process and after production, aerosol cans shall be inspected and tested according to applicable design standards, including:

(1) The institutional nature of the test structure material;

(2) verify the minimum wall thickness;

(3) verify the identity of the production batch material;

(4) Check the internal and external conditions of the aerosol can;

(5) Check the installation of the sealer valve;

(6) verification of consistency with design standards;

(7) Hydraulic test. The aerosol can must withstand the test pressure without exceeding the allowable expansion of the design standard (with the consent of the Administration, the hydraulic test can be replaced with gas, provided this operation does not create any hazard).

(8) to inspect and evaluate the manufacturing defects of aerosol cans and decide to repair or scrap them; in the inspection of welded aerosol cans, special attention must be paid to the welding locations;

(9) Check the marking of aerosol cans;

2. A sufficient number of aerosol cans should be extracted and tested and tested in accordance with the standards. In addition, for the welding part of aerosol cans, radio, ultrasonic or other non-destructive test methods must be used for inspection according to their design and manufacturing standards.

Sixth, the manufacturer requirements

1. The manufacturer must have the technical capability to manufacture aerosol cans and have all the resources needed for production. Especially those with the following qualifications:

(1) Supervising the entire production process;

(2) complete the connection of materials (welding and roll sealing, assembly);

(3) Perform relevant tests.

2. In all cases, testing of the technical capabilities of the manufacturer shall be carried out by an inspection agency approved by the competent authority of the country of approval.

3. Requirements of the inspection agency: The inspection agency shall be independent of the production enterprise and have the ability to carry out the required tests, inspections and approvals.

Seven, aerosol cans test

Each container filled with aerosol must be subjected to a test conducted in a hot water tank or an approved alternative tank test.

1, hot water tank test

(1) The temperature of the hot water tank and the time of the test must be such that the internal pressure reaches a pressure of 55°C (if the liquid phase does not exceed 95% of the vessel capacity at 50°C, 50°C may be used). If the contents are heat sensitive or some valve fittings of the aerosol can are made of plastic that will soften at the test temperature, the test temperature can be selected between 20°C and 30°C. In addition, one of the 2000 aerosol cans must be selected for higher temperature tests.

(2) The aerosol canister must not leak or permanently deform.

2, alternative methods

With the approval of the competent authority, alternative methods that provide an equivalent level of safety can be used, provided that they meet the requirements of the standard.

(1) Quality system: Manufacturers of aerosol cans and accessories must have a quality system. The procedures implemented by the quality system shall ensure that all leaked or deformed aerosol cans are scrapped and not delivered for transport. The quality system must include:

(a) description of the organizational structure and responsibilities;

(b) Description of relevant inspections and tests, quality control, quality assurance and operating procedures to be used;

(c) Quality records, such as inspection reports, test data, calibration data and certificates;

(d) Management reviews to ensure the effective operation of the quality system;

(e) document control procedures and modification procedures;

(f) Control of failed aerosol cans;

(g) Training programs and qualification procedures for relevant personnel;

(k) Ensure that there is no damage to the final product.

The implementation of the first audit and periodic audit must meet the requirements of the competent authority. These reviews must ensure that the approved system is always adequate and effective. Any changes to the approved system must be notified to the Administration in advance.

(2) Pressure and leak test before filling of aerosol cans: each air canister shall be subjected to a pressure equal to or greater than the maximum pressure reached by the aerosol can after filling at 55°C (if 50°C, the fluid The phase does not exceed 95% of the vessel capacity and 50°C can be used. This pressure must be at least two-thirds of the design pressure of the aerosol canister. If any aerosol can shows a leak rate equal to or greater than 3.3 x 10-2 mbar/second, deformation or other defects at test pressure, it must be discarded.

(3) Test after aerosol can filling

Before filling, the filling company must ensure that the crimping or capping equipment is properly installed and the specified filling device is used.

The aerosol cans must be weighed and leak tested after each filling. The leak detection equipment must have sufficient sensitivity to detect at least 2.0 × 10 -3 mbar·s/s at a leak rate of 20°C.

Any aerosol can that leaks, deforms, or becomes overweight must be discarded.

3, the test of special conditions

If the aerosol cans need to be sterilized, they may be affected by the bath test. Under the approval of the competent authority, the aerosol canister does not have to comply with the hot water tank test. However, the following requirements must be observed:

(1) They include non-flammable gas and non-combustible gas.

(a) Other substances that include components of pharmaceutical products that constitute medicines, veterinary drugs or similar purposes;

(b) Include other substances used in the production of pharmaceutical products;

(c) Or substances used in medicine, veterinary medicine or similar applications.

(2) The manufacturer's leak detection and rated pressure test alternative method shall be equivalent to the same level of safety, such as helium detection and flume testing, in order to select at least one statistical method from each of the 2000 samples;

(3) According to the above regulations, pharmaceutical products are manufactured under the authority of the National Health Administration. If the competent authority deems it necessary, it must comply with the principles of the World Health Organization (WHO) Good Manufacturing Practices.

Yang Wenliang Contributed