Tunnel classification for ADR came into effect on 1st January 2010. These codes should make it easier to route journeys as the tunnels and codes are published on the UNECE web-ste. You can find the at the following address: http://www.unece.org. The Tunnel codes will need to be added to transport
documents by consignors.
There are five categories of tunnel categorisation with A being the least restrictive and as such will not be sign-posted, through to E which will mean only the passage
of UN 2919, 3291, 3331, 3359 and 3373 will be allowed.
The categorisation is based on the assumption that in tunnels there are three major dangers which may cause numerous victims or serious damage to the tunnel itself, these are:
– Explosions
– Release of toxic gas or volatile liquid
– Fires
The UK aithorities have now concluded all but one of their codes on the nine applicable tunnels after undertaking the risk assessment process. These tunnels are confirmed as:
Tunnel Locations & Codes
Blackwall (London) – Code E
Clyde – Code D
Dartford – Code C
East India Dock Road (London) – Code E
Limehouse (London) – Code E
Mersey – Code D
Ramsgate – Code A
Rotherhithe (London) – Code E
Tyne – Code D
The codes above are for the tunnels themselves, the dangerous goods carried have a set of codes to go with them and can been seen on the table below (ADR 8.6.4).
Hauliers who transport goods under excemptions at 1.1.3, Limited and Excepted Quantities or under threshold limits for example will not have to apply to the tunnel codes as
they are not subject to the restrictions (shown at 1.9.5.3.6 & 8.6.3.3).
Each UN number has been given a tunnel restriction code and they can be found in table A 3.2.1 in column 15 along with the Transport category information.
If substances transported are in scope these codes will need to be inserted into the tranport documents in compliance with 5.4.1.1.1 (k). If it’s known the travel will not involve any tunnels
then the code does not need to be entered.
When loads contain more than one dangerous substance the most restrictive code amongst those substances will need applying to the entire load.
Petrol (UN 1203) in tank carrage, which is a common member load can be shown as an example, colum 15 shows this as D/E. Looking at the table below, D/E allows the substance to travel through tunnel marked D or E.
Tunnel Codes
Tunnel Restriction codes explained
B
Passage forbidden through tunnels of category B, C, D and E.
B1000C
Carriage where the total net explosive mass per transport unit:
– Exceeds 1000kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category B, C, D and E.
– Does not exceed 1000kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E.
B/D
Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category B and C;
Other carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E.
B/E
Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category B, C and D;
Other carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category E.
C
Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E.
C5000C
Carriage where the total net explosive mass per transport unit:
– Exceeds 5000kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E.
– Does not exceed 5000kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E.
C/D
Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E;
Other carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E.
C/E
Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C and D and E;
Other carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category E.
D
Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E.
D/E
Bank or Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E;
Other carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category E.
E
Passage forbidden through tunnels of category E.
–
Passage allowed through all tunnels (For UN Nos. 2919 and 3331, see also 8.6.3.1)