This instruction applies to damaged or defective batteries of UN Nos. 3090, 3091, 3480, 3481, 3551 and 3552 liable to rapidly disassemble, dangerously react, produce a flame or a dangerous evolution of heat or a dangerous emission of toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours under normal conditions of carriage.

The large packagings are authorized for batteries and items of equipment containing batteries, provided that the general provisions of 4.1.1 and 4.1.3 are met.

The large packagings shall conform to the packing group I performance level.

(1) The large packaging shall be capable of meeting the following additional performance requirements in case of rapid disassembly, dangerous reaction, production of a flame or a dangerous evolution of heat or a dangerous emission of toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours of the battery:

(a) The outside surface temperature of the completed package shall not have a temperature of more than 100 °C. A momentary spike in temperature up to 200 °C is acceptable;

(b) No flame shall occur outside the package;

(c) No projectiles shall exit the package;

(d) The structural integrity of the package shall be maintained; and

(e) The large packagings shall have a gas management system (e.g. filter system, air circulation, containment for gas, gas tight packaging etc.), as appropriate.

(2) The additional large packaging performance requirements shall be verified by a test as specified by the competent authority of any RID Contracting State who may also recognize a test specified by the competent authority of a country which is not an RID Contracting State provided that this test has been specified in accordance with the procedures applicable according to RID, ADR, ADN, the IMDG Code or the ICAO Technical Instructions *).

A verification report shall be made available on request. As a minimum requirement, the name of the batteries, their type as defined in Section 38.3.2.3 of the Manual of Tests and Criteria, the maximum number of batteries, the total mass of batteries, the total energy content of the batteries, the large packaging identification and the test data according to the verification method as specified by the competent authority shall be listed in the verification report. A set of specific instructions describing the way to use the package shall also be part of the verification report.

(3) When dry ice or liquid nitrogen is used as a coolant, the requirements of section 5.5.3 shall apply. The inner packaging and outer packaging shall maintain their integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used as well as the temperatures and the pressures which could result if refrigeration were lost.

(4) The specific instructions for use of the package shall be made available by the packaging manufacturers and subsequent distributors to the consignor. They shall include at least the identification of the batteries and items of equipment that may be contained inside the packaging, the maximum number of batteries contained in the package and the maximum total of the batteries' energy content, as well as the configuration inside the package, including the separations and protections used during the performance verification test.


Additional requirement
Batteries shall be protected against short circuit.

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*) The following criteria, as relevant, may be considered to assess the performance of the large packaging:

(a) The assessment shall be done under a quality management system (as described e.g. in section 2.2.9.1.7.1 (e)) allowing for the traceability of tests results, reference data and characterization models used;

(b) The list of hazards expected in case of thermal run-away for the battery type, in the condition it is carried (e.g. usage of an inner packaging, state of charge (SOC), use of sufficient non-combustible, electrically non-conductive and absorbent cushioning material etc.), shall be clearly identified and quantified; the reference list of possible hazards for batteries (e.g. rapidly disassemble, dangerously react, produce a flame or a dangerous evolution of heat or a dangerous emission of toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours) can be used for this purpose. The quantification of these hazards shall rely on available scientific literature;

(c) The mitigating effects of the large packaging shall be identified and characterized, based on the nature of the protections provided and the construction material properties. A list of technical characteristics and drawings shall be used to support this assessment (Density (kg/m³), specific heat capacity (J/(kg·K)), heating value (kJ/kg), thermal conductivity (W/(m·K)), melting temperature and flammability temperature (K), heat transfer coefficient of the outer packaging (W/(m²·K)), …);

(d) The test and any supporting calculations shall assess the result of a thermal run-away of the battery inside the large packaging in the normal conditions of carriage;

(e) In case the SOC of the battery is not known, the assessment used, shall be done with the highest possible SOC corresponding to the battery use conditions;

(f) The surrounding conditions in which the large packaging may be used and carried shall be described (including for possible consequences of gas or smoke emissions on the environment, such as ventilation or other methods) according to the gas management system of the large packaging;

(g) The tests or the model calculation shall consider the worst case scenario for the thermal run-away triggering and propagation inside the battery; this scenario includes the worst possible failure in the normal carriage condition, the maximum heat and flame emissions for the possible propagation of the reaction;

(h) These scenarios shall be assessed over a period of time long enough to allow all the possible consequences to occur (e.g. 24 hours);

(i) In the case of multiple batteries and multiple items of equipment containing batteries, additional requirements such as the maximum number of batteries and items of equipment, the total maximum energy content of the batteries, and the configuration inside the package, including separations and protections of the parts, shall be considered.