UN-DOT Testing

• Ignition Distance — used to determine the ignition distance of an aerosol spray to assess the associated flame risk in an open environment.  The aerosol is sprayed in the direction of an ignition source at intervals of 15 cm to observe if an ignition, sustained combustion, or flashback of the spray takes place.

• Enclosed Space Ignition — used to determine the propensity for an aerosol spray to ignite in an enclosed or confined space. The aerosol is sprayed into an enclosed cylindrical test vessel containing a burning candle to observe whether an ignition occurs.

• Foam Flammability — used to determine the flammability of an aerosol spray emitted in the form of a foam, mousse, gel, or paste. The aerosol is sprayed onto a watch glass and an ignition source is introduced in the vapor space above the aerosol contents. If the aerosol ignites, the height of the flame and the duration of the combustion are recorded.

• Heat of Combustion — used to determine the heat released, or energy, when the liquid components of an aerosol undergo complete combustion with oxygen at standard conditions.

The results from the Ignition Distance, Enclosed Space Ignition, Foam Flammability, and/or Heat of Combustion tests characterize an aerosol as either being non-flammable, flammable, or extremely flammable. The classification of aerosols is critical in determining proper packaging and shipping groups for transportation purposes.

• Flash Point Test – used to classify liquids as either flammable, combustible, or non-flammable in conjunction with a boiling point test. These tests are also used to assigned Model Regulations Packing groups and GHS category for flammability.

• Fire Point or Sustained Combustion Tests – used to regard flammable liquids as non-flammable for some regulatory purposes if they do not sustain combustion

Division 4.1: Flammable Solids, Self-Reactive Substances, and Solid Desensitized Explosives

• Burning Rate Test — used to classify materials as “flammable solids”. The test involves exposing a powder train (250 mm x 20 mm x 10 mm) to a flame or hot wire with a temperature of 1000°C.  Classification is then based on the materials burning rate.

Division 4.2: Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion

• Self-Heating Substances — used to determine if substances are “spontaneously combustible”.  The test involves exposing various quantities of sample to temperatures of 100°C, 120°C and 140°C for a period of 24 hours.  During the exposure time, the temperature of the sample is monitored for exothermic activity.  Classification is then based on the occurrence of exothermic activity and the size and temperature at which it occurred.

Division 4.3: Substances, which in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases

• Dangerous When Wet — used to determine if the material is capable of generating flammable gases when it comes into contact with water.  This is a multistep test that involves exposing the material to small quantities of water and evaluating if flammable gases are generated.  Classification is then based on the evidence of flammable gas evolution and the rate at which these gases evolve.

Division 5.1: Oxidizing Solids

• Oxidizing Solids — used to identify if a material has hazardous oxidizing properties.  The test involves mixing the sample with various quantities of a known combustible material and comparing the burning characteristics to that of a known oxidizer/fuel mixture.  Classification is then based upon how intensely the sample burns.

Division 5.2: Oxidizing Liquids

• Oxidizing Liquids — used to identify if a material has hazardous oxidizing properties. Specifically, this test method is designed to measure the potential for a liquid substance to increase the burning rate or burning intensity of a combustible substance. The test involves mixing the sample with a known combustible material and comparing the burning characteristics to that of a known oxidizer/fuel mixture.  Classification is based upon how quickly and intensely the sample burns which then determines the necessary packing group for the sample.

Our team is happy to help train your staff in the understanding of technical issues, process safety programs or audits, regulations and more.  We perform process safety audits as part of a comprehensive hazards analysis and can work with you to make sure your staff is supplied with skills training needs in many ways including: 

• Level I - Gap Analysis
• Level II - training & consulting
• Level III - Program Development and Implementation

Partial List of Services Offered:

• Reviews and upgrades of all your safety process systems and regulatory requirements
• VPP Consulting
• Audits, reviews, and upgrades of all your Operating, Safety, and Maintenance Procedures
• Training program evaluations for both completeness and effectiveness (from technical skills to professional development) and upgrades where
  needed
• Reviews and upgrades of your program elements such as Employee Participation and Process Safety Information for effectiveness and completeness
• Work process effectiveness evaluations and upgrades
• Overall organizational development (e.g., motivation, work processes)
• Stress reduction
• Evaluations of the effectiveness of communication

We design, custom develop and deliver any site specific training materials needed by your organization. Our Consultants, Engineers and Technical Specialists are available to deliver the classroom, lab or on-the-job training your staff needs. In addition, we will assist with the identification and procurement of commercially available training materials where available.