A driver is transporting a mixed load of hazardous materials, including 600 pounds of UN1203 (Gasoline, Class 3, PG II) and 500 pounds of UN1830 (Sulfuric acid, with more than 51% acid, Class 8, PG II). Both are in non-bulk packaging. Which of the following placards are required on the vehicle?
- AFLAMMABLE and CORROSIVE
- BDANGEROUS only
- CFLAMMABLE and DANGEROUS
- DNo placards are required because neither material individually exceeds 1,001 pounds.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. FLAMMABLE and CORROSIVE
Both Gasoline (Class 3) and Sulfuric acid (Class 8) are Table 2 materials. The aggregate gross weight of all Table 2 hazardous materials is 600 lbs (Gasoline) + 500 lbs (Sulfuric acid) = 1,100 lbs. Since this exceeds the 1,001-pound threshold for Table 2 materials, placards are required. When transporting two or more Table 2 materials, and the aggregate gross weight is 1,001 pounds or more, each hazard class that makes up 1,001 pounds or more of the aggregate must be placarded with its specific placard. In this case, both Class 3 and Class 8 contribute to exceeding the 1,001-pound threshold, so a FLAMMABLE placard for the Gasoline and a CORROSIVE placard for the Sulfuric acid are required.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The DANGEROUS placard is not appropriate here because specific placards are required for each hazard class when their combined weight exceeds the threshold.
- C. The DANGEROUS placard is used when 1,001 pounds or more of two or more categories of hazardous materials are loaded at one facility, and no one category on its own requires primary placarding (e.g., if one material was 800 lbs and another 300 lbs, neither individually requiring a placard). Here, the individual classes require specific placards once the aggregate threshold is met.
- D. This is incorrect. The aggregate gross weight of 1,100 pounds for Table 2 materials exceeds the 1,001-pound threshold, thus requiring placarding.
Aggregate Placarding Rule (Table 2)
When transporting two or more Table 2 hazardous materials in non-bulk packaging, if their aggregate gross weight is 1,001 pounds or more, specific placards for each hazard class present in quantities requiring placarding are required.
- Applies to Table 2 materials only.
- Threshold is 1,001 pounds aggregate gross weight.
- Requires specific placards for each hazard class contributing to the threshold.
Memory trick: Mixed loads, check the sum, over a grand, placards must come.