Chilean Hazardous Materials Classification
Different substances or hazardous materials are officially classified in the Chilean standard 2.120.Of89, which establishes the following classes:
Class 1: Explosive Substances
Includes:
a) Explosive substances, except those too dangerous to be transported and those whose primary risk is another class. Substances not themselves explosive but which can form explosive gas, vapor, or dust are not included.
b) Explosive articles, except devices containing explosive substances in such quantity or of its ignition or initiation, inadvertently or by accident during transport, handling, or storage, would not result in any external demonstration that might lead to a projection in fire, smoke, heat, or loud noise.
c) Substances and articles not mentioned in paragraphs a) and b) that are manufactured to produce an explosive or pyrotechnic effect.
Class 1 distinguishes the following divisions:
Division 1.1: Mass Explosion Risk
Substances and articles with a risk of explosion of the entire mass.
Division 1.2: Projection Hazard
Substances and explosives with a projection hazard but not a risk of explosion of the entire mass.
Division 1.3: Fire and Minor Blast/Projection
Substances and articles with a fire hazard and a risk of minor blast or projection effects, but not a risk of explosion of the entire mass. Included are substances and articles:
a) Whose combustion gives rise to considerable radiant heat.
b) Which burn one after another, with small ripple or projection effects.
Division 1.4: No Significant Risk
Substances and articles with only a small risk in the event of ignition or initiation during transport. The effects are limited mostly to the package, with no projection of fragments at appreciable distances. An external fire must not cause an almost instantaneous explosion of the package contents.
Division 1.5: Very Insensitive Substances
Substances with a risk of explosion of the entire mass, also known as blasting agents (see NCh 382). These are insensitive substances with very little chance of being primed or detonating under normal conditions. They must not explode when subjected to specific external fire resistance tests.
Class 2: Gases
Compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gases under pressure; cryogenic gases. Classification is based on systems A or B:
A. System A: A substance is included if:
A.1 has a critical temperature below 50°C.
A.2 has an absolute pressure steam above 294 kPa (3 kgf/cm²) at 50°C.
B. System B: A substance is included if:
B.1 has an absolute vapor pressure above:
B.1.1 275 kPa (2.8 kgf/cm²) at 21.1°C.
B.1.2 716 kPa (7.3 kgf/cm²) at 54.4°C.
B.2 has a Reid vapor pressure exceeding 275 kPa (2.8 kgf/cm²) at 37.8°C.
This class includes:
a) Permanent gases: Gases that do not liquefy at ambient temperature.
b) Liquefied gases: Gases that can be liquefied under pressure at ambient temperatures.
c) Dissolved gases: Gases dissolved under pressure in a solvent absorbed by a porous substance.
d) Cryogenic gases: Gases in liquid phase with a boiling point below -90°C (183.15°K) at an absolute pressure of 101,325 kPa (1 atm). Examples include argon, nitrogen, and oxygen in liquid phase.
Class 2 is subdivided into:
Division 2.1: Flammable Gases
Division 2.2: Non-Flammable Gases
Division 2.3: Toxic Gases
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Liquids, mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension (e.g., paints, varnishes, lacquers) that give off flammable vapor at a temperature not exceeding 61°C in closed crucible tests or 65.6°C in open crucible tests.
Class 3 is divided based on closed crucible tests:
Division 3.1: Low Flash Point
Flash point below -18°C.
Division 3.2: Intermediate Flash Point
Flash point between -18°C and 23°C.
Division 3.3: High Flash Point
Flash point between 23°C and 61°C.
Class 4: Flammable Solids
Substances liable to combustion; spontaneously combustible substances; substances that emit flammable gases in contact with water.
Class 4 is divided into:
Division 4.1: Flammable Solids
Substances easily ignited by external sources like sparks and flames, or that easily enter or start fires on impact or friction.
Division 4.2: Spontaneously Combustible Substances
Substances liable to spontaneous combustion under normal conditions or by contact with air.
Division 4.3: Water-Reactive Substances
Substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water.
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 5 includes:
Division 5.1: Oxidizing Substances
Substances that provide oxygen or other elements needed for combustion, increasing fire risk.
Division 5.2: Organic Peroxides
Thermally unstable organic substances that can undergo exothermic self-accelerating decomposition.
Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 6 includes:
Division 6.1: Toxic Substances
Substances that can cause death, serious injury, or harm to human or animal health if swallowed, inhaled, or contacted with skin.
Division 6.2: Infectious Substances
Substances containing viable microorganisms or toxins known or suspected to cause disease.
Class 7: Radioactive Substances
Any substance with a specific activity exceeding 74 Bq/g.
Class 8: Corrosive Substances
Substances that can cause serious injury to living tissue or damage to goods and transport by chemical action.
Packaging groups for corrosive substances:
Group I: High Hazard
a) Substances causing visible dermal necrosis within 3 minutes of contact with intact animal skin.
b) Substances with toxicity by inhalation similar to Group II, Division 6.1.
Group II: Medium Hazard
Substances causing visible dermal necrosis within 3 to 60 minutes of contact with intact animal skin.
Group III: Low Hazard
a) Substances causing visible dermal necrosis within 60 minutes to 4 hours of contact with intact animal skin.
b) Substances causing corrosion on steel or aluminum at a rate exceeding 6.35 mm/year at 55°C.