Intermodal Panel

Intermodal tanks and containers may be placarded with an orange panel that contains two numbers:

  • The international hazard identification code (in the top half of the panel) indicates the substance's hazards.
  • The UN/NA number (in the bottom half of the panel) indicates a chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. You can search on UN/NA numberUnited Nations-North American number. (Also UN number or DOT number.) Four-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards. The four-digit number is often preceded by UN (such as UN1219). in CAMEO 365betÓéÀÖ.

A sample intermodal tank placard, with a 33 in the international hazard identification code section (top) and a 1203 in the UN/NA number section (bottom).

International Hazard Identification Code

This 2- or 3-digit code (also called hazard identification numbers or Kemler Codes) is shown in the top half of the panel. Each digit in the code represents a particular hazard; a repeating digit (e.g., 33) means that hazard is more intense. Codes that start with "X" indicate dangerous reactions with water. More information on codes and hazard definitionsMore information on codes and hazard definitions

Most codes are made up of 2 or 3 unique digits (e.g., 56 or 362), where each number represents a particular hazard (see list below). If a digit is repeated within the code (e.g., 33), it represents an intensification of that particular hazard. If the code is single digit followed by a zero (e.g., 20 or 30), it indicates that the substance's hazard can be adequately described by a single digit.

±·´Ç³Ù±ð:ÌýWhen the code begins with the letter "X" (e.g., X323), it indicates that the substance will react dangerously with water. (In such cases, water should only be used with the approval of experts.)

In general, the numbers in the code indicate the following hazards:

  • 2 = Emission of gas due to pressure or to chemical reactionThe change that takes place when two or more substances interact to form new substances.
  • 3 = FlammabilityA substance's tendency to ignite or take flame. Flammability is closely related to the volatility of a substance (and is not its relative ability to burn in the presence of oxygen with the evolution of heat). of liquids (vapors) and gases or self-heating liquid
  • 4 = Flammability of solids or self-heating solid
  • 5 = Oxidizing (fire-intensifying) effect
  • 6 = Toxicity or risk of infection
  • 7 = Radioactivity
  • 8 = Corrosivity
  • 9 = Risk of spontaneous violent reaction

For example, code 56 means "oxidizing substance (fire-intensifying), toxicPoisonous; can injure or kill people or other organisms.".

The code indicates the hazards of the substance in the container, but does not identify the substance (so it can't be used to search CAMEO 365betÓéÀÖ).

International Hazard Code Lookup Tool

A sample intermodal tank placard with the international hazard code circled.Enter code in top half of panel on container:

Ìý

What the code means:

Reference: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Inland Transport Committee. 2023. Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), applicable as of January 1, 2023. Volume II. Part 5 (Consignment Procedures), section 5.3.2.x (Orange-coloured plate marking). External link.Ìý(accessed May 20, 2024).

UN/NA Number

A sample intermodal tank placard with the UN/NA number circled.The 4-digit United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOTU.S. Department of Transportation (www.transportation.gov). number) is shown in the bottom half of the orange panel. It identifies either a chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics, but it does not indicate the hazards. This information is required on shipping papers, and it may also be shown on DOT placards. The 4-digit number is often preceded by UN (such as UN1219).

You can search by the UN/NA number in CAMEO 365betÓéÀÖ to learn the substance's name (or group) and see response recommendations on UN/NA datasheets.

±·´Ç³Ù±ð:ÌýMultiple substances sometimes share the same UN/NA number. To be sure of a chemical identification, look for other identifiersNames, identification numbers, and other information used to identify a chemical., such as the shipping nameOr 'proper shipping name'. Either: (a) the specific name of a hazardous material that is frequently shipped (e.g., 'Ammonia, anhydrous'), or (b) the generic name for a less frequently shipped hazardous material, which categorizes the material by its family, its use, or a key characteristic (e.g., 'Acids, n.o.s.' or 'Flammable solids, n.o.s.'). (shown on shipping papers, cargo manifestsDocument describing the contents of a shipment., and container tags and labels).