TT Club’s Quick Reference Guide For Flammable Liquids
TT Club has issued a new quick-reference guide focusing on the safe handling of flammable liquids, highlighting key practices to follow – and avoid – when dealing with Class 3 dangerous goods.
Recognised globally, TT Club is a leading insurer and risk management specialist serving the international transport and logistics sector.
Class 3 dangerous goods comprise flammable liquids that can present serious hazards, including damage to property and cargo, personal injury, environmental impact, loss of insurance cover and, in some cases, criminal liability.
These flammable liquids are categorised into Packing Groups I, II and III according to their flash points and boiling points. Certain products, such as paints, may fall under more than one packing group depending on their formulation.
Typical examples of Class 3 goods include:
Alcohol-based substances: methanol, ethanol
Fuels: petrol (gasoline), kerosene, diesel
Industrial products: adhesives, paints, turpentine, printing inks, varnishes, perfumery products
Solvents: methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), acetone
TT Club Do’s and Dont’s
Packing
Do…
- Use only approved tanks or packagings for Class 3 cargoes
- Ensure spill management equipment is close by during filling
- Control ignition sources
Don’t…
- Use damaged tanks or packagings
- Use tanks or packagings containing substances that may cause decomposition or polymerisation
- Pack a different flammable liquid in a tank or packaging without cleaning it as per manufacturer’s instructions
- Overfill tanks or packagings – use ullage guidelines where appropriate
- Repackage Class 3 cargoes without specialist advice
Storing
Do…
- Store in well-ventilated and, where relevant, temperature-controlled storage facilities
- Store close to ground to minimise effects of leaks or spills
- Store with labels forward, heavy cargoes at bottom and correct orientation (arrows up)
- Control ignition sources
- Ensure all employees involved in storing are trained in emergency response procedures
- Ensure deliveries and despatches are supervised by DG competent person
- Alert DG competent person is immediately if any problems, such as suspected leak
- Inspect stored cargo regularly to ensure condition remains stable and safe
Don’t…
- Store near to stairways and emergency exits
- Store near to sources of heat, such as a radiator
- Store near to sources of ignition, such as electrical equipment
- Move cargoes unnecessarily in the storage facility
- Store or move cargo that is not in a closed container
- Store old or uncollected cargoes, which can become more unstable over time
Transporting
Do…
- Segregate Class 3 cargoes from other cargoes during transport, as per the applicable regulation
- Transport as per manufacturer’s instructions
- Familiarise yourself with and adhere to the relevant chapters of the CTU Code
- Pack tanks and containers securely to avoid movement during transport
Don’t…
- Allow any ignition sources, like electrical equipment, near cargoes during transport
- Transport in public or built-up areas without permission from authorities
- Assume segregation requirements for all transport modes are the same
Always
- Communicate clearly with the entire supply chain
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Maintain a documented emergency response plan that is regularly tested and, ideally, developed in collaboration with the cargo manufacturer
Never
- Expose Class 3 cargoes to extreme temperatures
- Throw, drop, roll, slide or drag Class 3 cargoes at any point in the supply chain
- Ignore abandoned cargo – it must be safely removed and disposed of
Evolution Forwarding provide customers with compliant solutions for dangerous goods, specialising in end-to-end solutions for the safe and transport of these product types by air, sea, and road.
From packaging and documentation to regulatory compliance and staff training, our expertise helps shippers navigate these challenges with confidence. Contact us at info@evolutionforwarding.com or call 0800 4346244 to learn more.
