UN Packaging Specification and Stores Catalog
FORMAT AND USE INSTRUCTIONS

The following information is furnished for the use and format of the ORNL Stores catalog and ORNL UN Packaging Specifications for hazardous materials.

The catalog descriptions and packaging specifications are now standardized into one format and the packaging specifications are written in terminology for both the independent seller and user, with limited knowledge of the UN requirements, as well as the established manufacturers.

The complete ORNL UN Packaging Specification is composed of two parts: (1) the Material Control/Plant Stores catalog description and (2) the ORNL detailed packaging specification as referenced in the catalog description.

Stores Catalog Descriptions:

The Plant Stores catalog descriptions, listed in the ORNL Stores SAP Catalog Database, lists the specific UN markings, sizes, capacities, etc., to portray a general description of the package. The catalog description is the database used by Material Control in all Plant Stores functions, such as indicating electronically to Procurement the need to reorder a specific package.

The catalog description also references a specific ORNL UN Packaging Specification Number, which sets forth the ORNL detailed procurement requirements and detailed package specifications, which must be submitted as part of the purchase order. The packaging specification reference also indicates the issue date and last revision date of the packaging specification.

ORNL catalog numbers are set up in a nine digit sequence (xx-xxx-xxxx) divided with dashes. The first two numerals indicate the class in Stores materials, the second represents the group of materials, and the last four numbers represent the specific material. Hazardous material packagings are under class 02 in Stores, with the middle three numerals having been specifically reserved for the hazardous material packagings, which have been set up for package types as listed below:

02-112-    Steel Drums
02-113-    Fiber Drums
02-114-    Corrugated Boxes
02-115-    Combination Packagings
02-116-    Drum spare parts/accessories
02-119-    Strong Tight Containers

UN Packaging Specifications:

The ORNL Packaging Specifications are detailed package specifications, but they are set up in a standard format for each type of package (i.e., open head carbon steel drums) such that an individual specification is not required for each package. The size and UN marking variables are stated in the catalog descriptions, whereas the specific construction variables for the steel drums (rolling hoops, bungs, etc.) are stated in a general Appendix Table to the specifications (one for carbon and one for stainless).

The ORNL packaging specifications are based on past DOT specifications (for ORNL packagings) which also meet DOT 7A Type A packaging requirements where applicable, and thus are not purely UN performance requirements, but also have incorporated the past DOT minimum gauge tolerances into the current specifications.

The ORNL Packaging Specifications contain the QC checklist that will be used by each Plant's QC section to inspect hazardous material packagings received at Plant Stores.

The Packaging Specification numbering system is set up in a ten-digit, alpha-numeric series, which is unlike the catalog number system.  It has three numerals, a dash, a representative UN ID, a dash, and four numerals, which will indicate the last revision number. In this sequence, the first three numerals (100, 200, etc.) indicate the type of package, i.e., open head steel drums, tight head ss drums, etc.

Packaging Specification Distribution:

The ORNL UN Packaging Specifications are distributed in hard copy, as printed from Word files, in controlled copies to company departments that need the packaging specifications as part of their work performance. Additional uncontrolled copies are distributed to other DOE sites and ORNL departments as information copies.  Revisions are sent out to all on the distribution list, controlled and uncontrolled, with controlled distribution being required to confirm receipt.

In addition, the ORNL UN Packaging Specifications are now placed on this website using the "Pkg. Spec. Catalog" button on the navigation bar to go to:
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/tpm/package_spec.shtml

It is best viewed with the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Netscape. Since the database now tailors each packaging specification to the requested catalog number, the "general" packaging specification cannot be obtained from the Web, as in the hard copy book of the ORNL UN Packaging Specifications, which also lists  all applicable of catalog descriptions and catalog numbers.

To obtain an ORNL UN Packaging Specification from the Web, you must enter a specific catalog number from the initial reference listing and the packaging specification will automatically be tailored for the specific package called for by the catalog number. Thus, the actual capacity, such as 55 gallon, will be inserted in place of the several applicable capacities shown in the "general" packaging specification. The same will be true for construction variations from the appendix, such as two or three rolling hoops, as applicable to the specific catalog number entered.

User Reference:

Each Packaging Specification book contains a "User Reference" in the back of the book, which contains information for in-plant use:

QC Inspection Plan - Receiving Inspection Plan for Plant QC sections to inspect incoming Stores hazardous material packagings from vendors.

UN/Type A Cross Reference - A table listing current ORNL UN packagings, with catalog number, which meet the past DOT 7A Type A criteria.

DOT Steel Gauge Table - An extract of the past DOT gauge minimum tolerance table. Now used for requirements of meeting DOT 7A Type A past certifications.

Specification Maintenance:

The ORNL Packaging Specifications are maintained by the ORNL Packaging Operations and is the only group authorized to make changes in the hazardous materials packagings or the corresponding catalog descriptions.