The Aerosol That Wasn't Quite What It Said
A consignment arrives described on the air waybill as 'Aerosols, flammable, UN1950, Class 2.1, 24 cartons, 12 kg each'. The shipper has packed the aerosols in accordance with Packing Instruction 203 and has provided a Shipper's Declaration. During a spot check you notice that the aerosols contain a propellant that is a liquefied petroleum gas, and the cans are fitted with a valve that can be actuated accidentally. The cartons are marked with the Class 2.1 label and the UN number, but no orientation arrows. The shipper argues that because aerosols are 'articles', no orientation arrows are required. The total gross weight of the consignment is 288 kg, and the aircraft is a passenger aircraft with a maximum payload of 18,000 kg.
1. Determine whether the consignment is correctly classified and packed, and identify any deficiencies.
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The classification as UN1950, Aerosols, flammable, Class 2.1 is correct for aerosols containing a flammable propellant. However, several deficiencies exist:
Orientation arrows: Aerosols are articles that may leak if tilted, and the DGR requires orientation arrows on packages containing liquids or articles that may leak. The shipper's argument that 'articles' are exempt is wrong - the requirement is based on the risk of leakage, not on the classification as an article.
Packing Instruction 203 applies to aerosols, but the packer must ensure the cans are protected against accidental actuation. The presence of a valve that can be actuated accidentally means the packing must include a protective cap or equivalent, and the packer must verify this. If the caps are missing, the package does not conform to PI 203.
The Shipper's Declaration must show the correct packing instruction and the authorization. The declaration appears otherwise complete, but the packing instruction must be verified against the actual packing.
2. Calculate whether the consignment can be carried on the passenger aircraft and state the limiting factor.
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The consignment gross weight is 288 kg, which is well within the 18,000 kg payload. The limiting factor is not weight but the quantity limits per package under PI 203 for passenger aircraft. For UN1950 aerosols on passenger aircraft, the maximum net quantity per package is 5 kg (or 5 L). Each carton here contains 12 kg of aerosols, which exceeds the 5 kg per-package limit for passenger aircraft.
Therefore the consignment cannot be carried as packed on a passenger aircraft. The options are: (a) split each carton into packages of 5 kg or less, or (b) move the shipment to a cargo aircraft where the per-package limit is higher (typically 30 kg for aerosols under PI 203 on cargo aircraft). The shipper's assumption that total weight is the only constraint is the error being tested.