HAZARD CLASS DEFINITIONS

Following are summaries of the US DOT hazard classes and divisions, listed in class order. For the full
hazard class definition, refer to the US DOT regulations at 49 CFR Part 173.

49 CFR
Class and reference for Packing
Division Name and description of class or division definitions Group
None Forbidden materials 173.21 and N/A
Electrical devices likely to create sparks or heat, heavily magnetic materials for air 173.24
shipment, incompatible materials in the same package, materials that may undergo
self-accelerated decomposition, ketone peroxides, etc.
None Forbidden explosives 173.54 N/A
Individual listed chemicals, listed chemical groups, leaking explosives packages,
loaded firearms, etc.
1.1 Explosives (with a mass explosion hazard) 173.50 N/A
Entire mass explodes simultaneously (e.g., plastic explosives).
1.2 Explosives (with a projection hazard) 173.50 N/A
The explosion causes the throwing of a projectile or projectiles (e.g., shrapnel).
1.3 Explosives (with predominately a fire hazard) 173.50 N/A
The explosion initiates combustion.
1.4 Explosives (with no significant blast hazard) 173.50 N/A
The explosion is not likely to throw any fragments of appreciable size and the
explosion is largely confined to the package.
1.5 Very insensitive explosives (with a mass explosion hazard); blasting agents 173.50 N/A
These will explode, but normally require a strong initiator to cause the explosion.
An explosion would not likely occur in a transportation-related fire.
1.6 Extremely insensitive detonating substances 173.50 N/A
Generally, articles containing Division 1.5 materials.
2.1 Flammable gas 173.115 N/A
A gas at 20°C (68°F) and burns readily in air.
2.2 Non-flammable compressed gas 173.115 N/A
Gas shipped at a pressure at or over 200 kPa (43.8 psia/29 psig) or as a cryogenic
liquid that is neither flammable nor poisonous.
2.3 Poisonous gas 173.115 Hazard Zone
A gas at ≤ 20°C (68°F) and has an LC50 ≤ 5,000 mL/m3 (i.e., 0.005% concentration 173.116
in air will kill half of the animals in a laboratory test).
3 Flammable liquid 173.120 173.121
Liquid with a flash point ≤ 60°C (140°F), or < 38°C (100°F) for domestic transpor-
tation by rail or highway.
Note: Flash point is the temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to
ignite and “flash” back to the liquid surface.
Combusti- Combustible liquid 173.120 PG III
bles Liquid with a flash point > 60°C (140°F) and < 93°C (~200°F).

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Hazard Class Definitions, continued

49 CFR
Class and reference for Packing
Division Name and description of class or division definitions Group
4.1 Flammable solid 173.124(a) 173.125
Wetted explosive; OR substances that are liable to undergo strongly exothermic
decompositions even without oxygen; OR substances that either ignite through
friction (e.g., matches) or burn very fast when ignited; OR substances that are liable
without stabilization to undergo strongly exothermic reactions forming larger
molecules or polymers.
4.2 Spontaneously combustible material 173.124(b) 173.125
A pyrophoric material that can ignite within 5 minutes on exposure to air or a
self-heating material that can either heat to over 200°C (392°F) or spontaneously
ignite within 24 hours.
4.3 Dangerous when wet material 173.124(c) 173.125
Spontaneously ignites or emits flammable or toxic gases when contacted with water.
5.1 Oxidizer 173.127(a) 173.127(b)
Causes or enhances combustion of other materials (e.g., sodium nitrite, oxygen gas,
hydrogen peroxide).
5.2 Organic peroxide 173.128 PG II
A specific chemical group that is generally reactive. 173.129
6.1 Poisonous materials 173.132 Hazard Zone
Solids or liquids that are poisonous by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. and PG
173.133
6.2 Infectious substance (etiologic agent) 173.134 N/A
Disease-causing organisms, tissue, or body fluid samples for medical diagnosis,
biological products, and medical wastes.
7 Radioactive material 173.403 N/A
Any material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and
the total activity in the consignment exceed specified values.
8 Corrosive material 173.136 173.137
Dissolves steel or aluminum or causes irreversible damage to skin.
9 Miscellaneous hazardous material (If no higher hazard) 173.140 173.141
Anesthetic or noxious or similar hazard to crew of an airplane. Material that is
shipped hot. US EPA-regulated hazardous waste or hazardous substance, MARPOL
marine pollutants, plus other materials specifically listed by the US DOT.

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