Can an FL Vehicle Transport UN 3289? ADR Tank Rules Explaine...

Conclusion

Yes. An ADR-approved FL-type vehicle may be used to transport UN 3289, TOXIC LIQUID, INORGANIC, CORROSIVE, N.O.S., when the carriage is in tanks. For UN 3289, Table A, column (14), prescribes an AT vehicle for both applicable packing-group entries: AT 1 for packing group I and AT 2 for packing group II. ADR 7.4.2 expressly allows the use of either an AT or an FL vehicle where an AT vehicle is prescribed. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column (14), Volume 1, pp. 500–501; ADR 7.4.2, Volume 2, p. 621)

Decisive facts and assumptions

• The substance is assigned to UN 3289, TOXIC LIQUID, INORGANIC, CORROSIVE, N.O.S. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, Volume 1, pp. 500–501)
• The question concerns carriage in tanks, because the Table A vehicle requirement in column (14) and ADR 7.4 apply specifically to tank carriage. (ADR 3.2, Table A, column (14), UN 3289, Volume 1, pp. 500–501; ADR 7.4.1, Volume 2, p. 621)
• UN 3289 has two relevant entries according to the assigned packing group: the Table A vehicle entry is AT 1 for the packing group I entry and AT 2 for the packing group II entry. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column (14), Volume 1, pp. 500–501)

Applicable ADR provisions

1. Table A, column (14): vehicle for carriage in tanks.
   The vehicle requirement applicable to a tank transport is the one specified in column (14) of Table A. For UN 3289, that requirement is AT 1 or AT 2, depending on the packing-group entry. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column (14), Volume 1, pp. 500–501; ADR 7.4.1, Volume 2, p. 621)

2. AT/FL substitution rule.
   ADR 7.4.2 establishes the vehicle-type rule: where an AT vehicle is prescribed, AT and FL vehicles may be used. (ADR 7.4.2, Volume 2, p. 621)

3. Meaning of an FL vehicle.
   An FL vehicle is a vehicle type defined in ADR Part 9, notably for tank carriage of liquids with a flash point not exceeding 60 °C, flammable gases, or certain hydrogen-peroxide carriage operations. An AT vehicle is defined as a tank vehicle other than an EX/III, FL, or MEMU vehicle. (ADR 9.1.1.2, Volume 2, pp. 661–662)

Step-by-step application

1. Identify the prescribed vehicle code for UN 3289.
   UN 3289 is assigned AT 1 for its packing group I entry and AT 2 for its packing group II entry in Table A column (14). The result is that the primary vehicle type prescribed for tank carriage is AT, not FL. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column (14), Volume 1, pp. 500–501)

2. Apply the ADR rule associated with an AT prescription.
   ADR 7.4.2 states that, where AT is prescribed, an FL vehicle is also permitted. Therefore, the FL vehicle is an authorized alternative to the prescribed AT vehicle. (ADR 7.4.2, Volume 2, p. 621)

3. Operational conclusion.
   A transport of UN 3289 in a tank may therefore be performed using a compliant FL-type vehicle, whether the applicable UN 3289 entry is the AT 1 or AT 2 entry. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column (14), Volume 1, pp. 500–501; ADR 7.4.2, Volume 2, p. 621)

Conditions, exceptions, and alternatives

• The FL vehicle must be validly ADR-approved as an FL vehicle and comply with the applicable Part 9 vehicle construction, approval, and annual technical-inspection requirements. (ADR 9.1.1.1–9.1.1.2, Volume 2, pp. 661–662)
• The authorization to use FL follows from an AT prescription. This is different from the inverse situation: where FL is prescribed, ADR permits only an FL vehicle. (ADR 7.4.2, Volume 2, p. 621)
• The vehicle-type conclusion does not replace compliance with the applicable tank requirements. Tank carriage is allowed only where Table A specifies a portable-tank instruction in column (10) or a tank code in column (12), and the transport must comply with the relevant tank provisions in Chapters 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, or 4.5, as applicable. (ADR 7.4.1, Volume 2, p. 621)
• For carriage of UN 3289 in packages rather than in a fixed tank, demountable tank, portable tank, or other tank configuration within the scope of Chapter 7.4, the column (14) AT/FL vehicle designation is not the determining provision; it is a requirement for tank carriage. (ADR 7.4.1, Volume 2, p. 621)
• FL vehicles have specific additional construction and safety requirements under Part 9. For example, certain FL vehicles carrying flammable gases or flammable liquids of packing groups I or II require automatic engine-compartment fire extinguishers and thermal protection intended to slow fire propagation from the wheels. These particular additional requirements are not triggered merely because UN 3289 is carried; their applicability depends on the substance and carriage conditions described in ADR 9.7.9. (ADR 9.7.9.1–9.7.9.2, Volume 2, p. 690)

Uncertainties and limits

• The selection between the UN 3289 packing group I and packing group II entries must follow the actual classification of the substance or mixture. This selection changes the AT sub-code in Table A from AT 1 to AT 2, but it does not change the conclusion that an FL vehicle is permitted. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column (14), Volume 1, pp. 500–501; ADR 7.4.2, Volume 2, p. 621)
• The vehicle-type authorization is separate from the need to verify the selected tank code, tank instruction, tank approval, filling conditions, marking and placarding, transport document entries, equipment, loading controls, and tunnel restriction applicable to the precise UN 3289 entry and transport configuration. (ADR 7.4.1, Volume 2, p. 621)

Sources

• ADR Table A, UN 3289, column (14) - Chapitre 3.2 - Vehicle for carriage in tanks - ADR 2025 - Volume 1, page 500
• ADR 7.4.1–7.4.2 - Chapitre 7.4 - Provisions concerning carriage in tanks - ADR 2025 - Volume 2, page 621
• ADR 9.1.1.1–9.1.1.2 - Chapitre 9.1 - Scope, definitions and approval requirements for vehicles - ADR 2025 - Volume 2, page 661
• ADR 9.7.9.1–9.7.9.2 - Chapitre 9.7 - Additional safety requirements for FL vehicles - ADR 2025 - Volume 2, page 690