Class 3 – Flammable and Combustible liquids – Placards and Labels according 49 CFR 173.2 – HazMat Tool (2024)

FAQs

What is a Class 3 placard for flammable goods? ›

Labelmaster's Hazard Class 3 Placards are available in Pre-Printed, Blank, Worded or International Wordless, and are ideal when transporting flammable liquids such as paints, alcohols, gasoline, kerosene and ethanol.

Acetone, adhesives, paints / lacquers / varnishes, alcohols, perfumery products, gasoline / petrol, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, heating oil, kerosene, resins, tars, turpentine, ethanol, benzene, butanols, isopropanol, methanol, octanes.

Examples of Class 3 Flammable Liquids include acetaldehyde, petroleum ether, and ethyl chloride. Class 3 “Combustible” liquids are those with a flashpoint above 100 degrees and below 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Acetone, benzene, and methyl alcohol are all examples of Class 3 Combustible Liquids.

CLASS 3 Flammable Liquid and Combustible Liquid

gASOLIne may be used in place of FLAMMABLe placard displayed on a cargo tank or portable tank transporting gasoline by highway. Placard combustible liquid transported in bulk. See §172.504(f)(2) for use of FLAMMABLe placard in place of COMBuStIBLe.

Commonly transported class 3 dangerous goods include acetone, adhesives, paints, gasoline, perfume, ethanol, methanol and some pesticides with flammable solvents.

Class 2.2 - Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gases

Non-flammable non-toxic gases and flammable liquids are also classed as incompatible. Class 2.2 and Class 3 dangerous goods must not be kept together.

Because alcohol is a key ingredient in hand sanitizer, most of the ones we use meet the definition of a Class 3 Flammable Liquid. Flammable liquids are those with a flash point less than or equal to 140^oF [49 CFR 173.120]. Typically, hand sanitizers fall into Packing Group II or III.

Nail polish and remover: Nail polish and nail polish remover are also considered hazardous substances. They fall within Class 3 Flammable Liquids.

Typical Class II liquids include liquids such as camphor oil, diesel fuel, pine tar, and Stoddard solvent. Class IIIA liquids are combustible liquids that have a flash point at or above 140 °F (60 °C), but below 200 °F (93 °C).

How much of a Class 3 flammable liquid can be loaded per cargo? ›

(2) For flammable liquids in Packing Group II, inner packagings not over 1.0 L (0.3 gallons) net capacity each, packed in a strong outer packaging. (3) For flammable liquids in Packing Group III and combustible liquids, inner packagings not over 5.0 L (1.3 gallons) net capacity each, packed in a strong outer packaging.

Flammable placards, as provided in §172.542, and combustible placards, as provided in §172.544, are identical in design, except for the text “FLAMMABLE” or “COMBUSTIBLE.” The text for these placards is not required under §172.519(b)(3).

Placards are required when any container exceeds 119 gallons, regardless of weight.

Smoking on or about any motor vehicle while loading or unloading any Class 1 (explosive), Class 3 (flammable liquid), Class 4 (flammable solid), Class 5 (oxidizing), or Division 2.1 (flammable gas) materials is forbidden.

Class 3: Flammable Liquids. A flammable liquid is a liquid having a flash point of not more than 60 °C (140 °F), or any material in a liquid phase with a flash point at or above 37.8 °C (100 °F) that is intentionally heated and offered for transportation or transported at or above its flash point in a bulk packaging.

Category 2 shall include liquids having flashpoints below 73.4 °F (23 °C) and having a boiling point above 95 °F (35 °C). 3. Category 3 shall include liquids having flashpoints at or above 73.4 °F (23 °C) and at or below 140 °F (60 °C).

Red: Flammability Hazard

3 – Materials with a flashpoint below 73°F and a boiling point greater than or equal to100°F, or a flashpoint above 73°F and less than 100°F - Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Example: gasoline.

The UN also states that any liquid being transported at or above its flash point falls under class 3 flammable liquid classification. This includes liquids in transportation if they produce a flammable vapor at or below the maximum transport temperature and they are being transported at elevated temperatures.