Chapter 3. LIMITS

TM 55-315

CHAPTER 3

LIMITS

3-1. General Quantity Limits for Packages

The quantity limits for the Type A and Type B packages are expressed in physical and activity limits.

a. Physical Limits (49 CFR 173.412).

(1) Type A packaging is physically restricted to:

(a) Temperature range of -40 (-40 ) to 70 (158 ).

(b) The contents of the package must be physically and chemically compatible under irradiation and

compatible with its by-products produced by decomposition.

(c) Packaging shall meet all design requirements outlined in chapter 4 of this manual.

(2) Type B packaging is physically restricted to the limits outlined in 10 CFR 71.

(3) Type B(M) packaging is a Type B packaging that has a normal operating pressure gauge of more than 7

kilograms per square centimeter (100 psi) or a relief device that would allow the release of radio-active material to the

environment under the hypothetical accident conditions specified in 10 CFR 71 (49 CFR 173.403(ee)). These packaging

limits are outlined in 10 CFR 71.

(4) Type B(U) packaging is a type B packaging that, during international shipments, requires unilateral

approval only of the package design and of any stowage provisions that may be necessary for heat dissipation (49 CFR

173.403(ff)). These packaging limits are also outlined in 10 CFR 71.

b. Activity Limits (49 CFR 173.431).

(1) A Type A package shall not contain a quantity of radioactive materials greater than A1 or A2 as listed in

table 2-2. For radioactive material not listed in this table, see 49 CFR 173.433.

(2) The limits of activity contained in a Type B, B(U), or B(M) package are those prescribed in 49 CFR

173.416 or the applicable approval certificate under 49 CFR 173.471 or 49 CFR 173.473 (49 CFR 173.431).

(3) Exceptions to these requirements may be requested through command channels to Deputy Chief of Staff

for Personnel (DCSPER), ATTN: DAPE-HRS, Washington, DC 20310-0300 (commercial (202) 695-7291), with a copy to

Commander, Army Materiel Command, ATTN: AMCSF-P, 5001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22333-0001

(commercial (202) 274-9475).

CAUTION

Explosives containing radioactive materials or with radioactive components will not be transported

except. under special arrangements according to the conditions and specifications approved by

appropriate regulatory agencies (see para 4-19).

3-2. Limits for Shipment by United States Mail (US Postal Service Publication 52) Any package of radioactive

material that must bear the Department of Transportation's "Radioactive White-I, Yellow-II, or Yellow-III" label or that

contains quantities in excess of those authorized in USPS Publication 6 is non-mailable (Domestic Mail Manual 124.37).

See chapter 14 of this manual for additional details.

3-3. Limits for Shipment by Aircraft, Rail, and Vessel

a. Aircraft. Limits for aircraft shipments differ for passenger-carrying, cargo, and exclusive-use cargo aircraft.

They also differ within each of three categories of aircraft based on certain parameters. Chapter 10 discusses these

limits in detail.

b. Rail. Except for exclusive-use shipments, the limits for shipments in any railcar or stored at any single location

is a total transport index of 50, which is derived by adding the transport indexes shown on each package. See chapter 12

for additional details.

c. Vessel. The limits for vessel shipments vary based on several parameters. These limits are detailed in

chapter 13.

3-4. Limits for Shipment by Passenger-Carrying Motor Vehicles, Transport Vehicles, Exclusive-Use Vehicles, and

Exclusive-Use Closed Transport Vehicles

a. Passenger-Carrying Motor Vehicles. No radioactive material requiring labels may be transported in

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