DOT Type A Packaging

["Roy A. Parker" <70472.711@CompuServe.COM>]

Joey,
 
DOT 7A  Type A packaging is a performance standard based on the complete
system of packaging and contents.  Proper documentation should include:
          173.410 General Design Requirements
          173.412 Additional design requirements for Type A packages
          173.415 Authorized Type A packages
          173.465 Type A Packaging Tests
          173.466 Additional  Tests for  Type A  Packaging Designed  for
                  Liquids and Gases.
 
> What types of packaging (plus certification) are being used to comply
> with revised DOT standards (eff. 4-96) for DOT Type A 7A packaging?
     There  are   no  "off-the-shelf"   commercially  available  Type  A
     packagings that  totally satisfy  all the  above requirements for a
     given shipment.   A  user of  such packaging  is still  required to
     supply a great deal of the missing documentation.  e.g. If the drop
     test produces  a 1  inch dent in the packaging does this change the
     surface radiation  level by  more than 20%.  Obviously this depends
     on the  characteristics of  the radiation  emissions of the nuclide
     being shipped.
 
Packaging testing  laboratories are  also notorious  for misrepresenting
compliance  with   the  Type  A  packaging  documentation  requirements.
Packaging testing  labs that  have come to my attention only address the
containment criteria  for the  Type A packaging test requirements.  They
do not  document the  other requirements enumerated above, including the
increase in surface radiation level criteria.
 
An excellent reference to DOT 7A Type A packaging requirements is:
 
     Test and  Evaluation Document  for DOT Specification 7A Type A
     Packaging - DOT/RL-96-57 Volume 1.
 
This is available at the following case sensitive address:
 
     http://www.hanford.gov/pss/t&p/dot7a/pdot7a.htm
 
Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.
Radiation Physics Consultant
Federal Express Corporation
E-Mail: 70472.711@compuserve.com
Tel: 504-924-1473
Fax: 504-924-4269
Pager: 800-759-7243 PIN 30630
-------------( Forwarded computer archived letter follows )-------------
    13-Dec-96 11:25 CST
Sb: Re:DOT Type A Packaging
Fm: Joey L Michael > INTERNET:jsmichael@juno.com
 
A co-worker of mine asked me to post this question:
 
What types of packaging (plus certification) are being used to comply
with revised DOT standards (eff. 4-96) for DOT Type A 7A packaging?  Any
vendor phone #'s  or addresses would be appreciated.
 
Thanks in advance
 
Joey Michael
University of Iowa
Health Protection Office