Can an FL Vehicle Carry UN 3289? ADR Tank Rules

Question asked to Palen

Revised on Nov 7, 2026

↗

Je mozne pouzit vozidlo typu FL pri prevoze chemikalie UN3289

No—not as an FL vehicle category requirement for UN 3289. For carriage of UN 3289, TOXIC INORGANIC LIQUID, CORROSIVE, N.O.S., in tanks, ADR Table A column 14 prescribes an AT vehicle, not an FL vehicle. This applies to both listed packing groups: AT / transport category 1 / tunnel code (C/E) for Packing Group I, and AT / transport category 2 / tunnel code (D/E) for Packing Group II. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, columns 14 and 15, Volume 1, page 501; )

An FL vehicle is defined for specific tank carriage operations involving flammable liquids with a flash point not exceeding 60 °C, flammable gases, or UN 2015 hydrogen peroxide solution above 60%. UN 3289 is listed as a toxic, corrosive inorganic liquid and its Table A tank-vehicle entry is AT, not FL. (ADR 9.1.1.2, definition of “FL vehicle,” Volume 2, page 661; ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column 14, Volume 1, page 501; )

Decisive facts and assumptions

The conclusion concerns transport in a tank: a fixed tank or demountable tank above 1 m³, or a tank-container/mobile tank above 3 m³ per unit. Column 14 of Table A is specifically the “vehicle for carriage in tanks” column. (ADR 3.2, Table A, column headings 12–15, Volume 1, page 460; )
UN 3289 is entered in Table A as TOXIC INORGANIC LIQUID, CORROSIVE, N.O.S. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, Volume 1, page 501; )
The applicable vehicle designation is dependent on the actual packing group assigned to the substance/mixture:
Packing Group I: AT; transport category 1; tunnel restriction code (C/E). (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, Volume 1, page 501; )
Packing Group II: AT; transport category 2; tunnel restriction code (D/E). (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, Volume 1, page 501; )

Applicable ADR provisions

ADR 3.2 Table A, column 14 determines the vehicle type required for carriage in tanks. The column heading identifies it as the vehicle required for tank carriage. (ADR 3.2, Table A, column 14, Volume 1, page 460; )
UN 3289 Table A entries prescribe AT, rather than FL, for tank carriage. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column 14, Volume 1, page 501; )
An AT vehicle is a tank transport vehicle other than an EX/III vehicle, FL vehicle, or MEMU, within the stated tank-capacity thresholds. (ADR 9.1.1.2, definition of “AT vehicle,” Volume 2, page 661; )
An FL vehicle is designated for the specified flammable-liquid, flammable-gas, or high-concentration hydrogen-peroxide tank operations. (ADR 9.1.1.2, definition of “FL vehicle,” Volume 2, page 661; )

Step-by-step application

Identify the dangerous good as UN 3289. Its proper shipping name is TOXIC INORGANIC LIQUID, CORROSIVE, N.O.S. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, Volume 1, page 501; )
Verify the packing group from the classification of the actual chemical mixture:

PG I leads to transport category 1 and tunnel code (C/E);
PG II leads to transport category 2 and tunnel code (D/E). (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, columns 15 and 20, Volume 1, page 501; )

For tank carriage, consult Table A column 14. Both UN 3289 entries specify AT. The operational consequence is that the transport unit must meet the ADR approval and construction requirements applicable to an AT vehicle for the proposed tank operation. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column 14, Volume 1, page 501; ADR 9.1.1.1, Volume 2, page 661; )
Therefore, the shipment should not be planned on the basis that UN 3289 requires an FL vehicle. The required Table A designation is AT. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column 14, Volume 1, page 501; )

Conditions, exceptions, and alternatives

If UN 3289 is carried in packages, rather than in a tank within the capacity thresholds that trigger ADR vehicle approval, the Table A column 14 tank-vehicle designation does not itself impose an AT or FL vehicle requirement; column 14 is expressly the tank-carriage vehicle column. (ADR 3.2, Table A, column headings 12–15, Volume 1, page 460; )
Where the transport is in a tank, the applicable tank code and tank special provisions must also be selected from the UN 3289 Table A row. The UN 3289 entries show tank-related codes and special provisions, including TU15 and TE19; PG I also shows TU14 and TE21. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, columns 12 and 13, Volume 1, page 501; )
Loading, unloading, and handling provisions shown for UN 3289 include CV13 and CV28. Operating provisions include S9/S14 for the PG I entry and S9/S19 for the PG II entry. These must be applied alongside the vehicle-type determination. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, columns 18 and 19, Volume 1, page 501; )
Tunnel access must follow the assigned tunnel restriction code: (C/E) for PG I and (D/E) for PG II, subject to the transport category and the circumstances of the carriage. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column 15, Volume 1, page 501; )

Uncertainties and limits

The decisive operational point is whether the chemical is assigned to Packing Group I or II. That assignment controls the transport category, tunnel restriction code, and the precise UN 3289 line to be applied. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, Volume 1, page 501; )
An ADR approval certificate showing an FL designation does not change the Table A requirement that UN 3289 tank carriage is identified as AT. The vehicle/tank combination and its approval documentation must correspond to the applicable AT operation. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 3289, column 14, Volume 1, page 501; ADR 9.1.1.1–9.1.1.2, Volume 2, page 661; )

Sources

Your specialized ADR AI assistant

Try Palen for free