Flip placards... is it legal...?

Discussion in 'Hazmat Trucking Forum' started by ridin_rough, Apr 26, 2021.

  1. ridin_rough

    ridin_rough Bobtail Member

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    Here's the situation...

    I just bought a trailer and am ordering flip placards with un number flip cards. I can't find an answer to a legal question:

    If a load requires placards but does NOT require the UN number to be displayed, can I use the flip number placards with all white showing in place of the word.

    example: UN1993, class 3 flammable in 55 gal drums does NOT require 1993 to be displayed. I flip to the class 3 flamable placard and leave the numbers blank. It will be red with the symbol and class number BUT all white across the middle in place of "FLAMMABLE" being displayed.

    The reason I ask is about the cost of the placards and mounting space. If I don't have to buy the worded flips, I would rather have all number flips if it's legal.

    Anyone know for absolute certain about this?
     
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  3. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    I would suspect the blank white space would be a problem though you could use the UN number. Depending on the amount of 1993 flammable product you would be required to show the UN number so that wouldn't look strange to enforcement like 4 blank white spaces.
     
  4. ridin_rough

    ridin_rough Bobtail Member

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    It's not a question of if a load requires the un numbers or not. I haul a lot of loads that have a half dozen un numbers and are covered by displaying a basic placard of the class.... most of the time it's corrosive or flammable.

    The trailer is a reefer and putting 6 placard hangers on the front is not exactly ideal. I need 4 placard hangers (each side) and would rather go all numbered rather than 2 worded and 2 numbered.
     
  5. GreenPete359

    GreenPete359 Road Train Member

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    Another option that save you a few bucks is to put 2 regular non flip holders on all four sides & then get cardboard placards & have them laminated so the weather doesn’t destroy them.

    as for your original question, i believe you would be in violation by leaving the number section blank. <<<if memory serves me correctly.
     
  6. GreenPete359

    GreenPete359 Road Train Member

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    One more....you can run regular flips and have your un #’s on a magnet or sticker next to the flips. The orange block with black letters.
     
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  7. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    MACK E-6, slow.rider and wis bang Thank this.
  8. ridin_rough

    ridin_rough Bobtail Member

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    greenpete359.... the orange block is not a bad idea. I never thought about that! I have plastic placard protectors to slid in over the placards. They work great most of the time. They are a bear to get em in place in the rain. I pulled a trailer that had the flips - 1 of each type and 2 regular holders... absolutely loved the flips. Didn't have to worry about tape not sticking and/or the wind and rain making them disappear. And, the occasional shipper that doesn't have the correct placards for what ever reason... not to mention that it is their responsibility to provide me with the correct ones.

    opus, the idea of running un numbers when it's not necessary is what I have done in the past. However, what I am not clear on is this scenario:
    un1993, totes... requires class 3 with un.
    un2934, drums... requires class 3 no un.
    un1866 totes.... requires class 3 with un
    un1824 drums... class 8 no un
    un1789 tote.... class 8 with un

    part of my hazmat foggieness is that I have to run the un numbers on the ones that require it.... does that placard also cover the class 3 and class 8 that doesn't require the un? Or is it a requirement to have class 3 flammable and class 8 corrosive standard placards in addition to the same class with numbers?

    Most of the time I over placard... never had a violation and don't plan on starting. Just want my own trailer to be setup for my convenience. Not so worried about dropping $800-900 on placards.

    I initially thought 2 numbered, 2 worded, 2 hangers.... dang that's a lot of drilling and riviting. Then I thought 4 numbered. And that's where the initial question came in to play about the flips being all white thru the middle. I could always claim color blind and don't read English so letters don't matter.
     
    slow.rider and GreenPete359 Thank this.
  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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  10. ridin_rough

    ridin_rough Bobtail Member

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    Just trying to figure out the best bang for the buck and the legal aspect of not having words or numbers on the placards. The limited space on the reefer unit is also an aspect to consider. That link is the style but, I am getting the 9 index.... 5.1, 5.2, 9, 8, red 3, red/white 3, 6 and 2 others I can't think of right this second. On the fence of 2 of those and 2 15 index worded or just all numbered.

    I don't believe that you can over think being legal when there's 2.8 billion regs that we have to comply with.... and more on the way.
     
    slow.rider Thanks this.
  11. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    I was trying to think of this term; we used to placard UN numbered combustibles and flammables down the sides of a 6 compartment solvent tanker and run just one non UN number flammable on the front and rear and educated a bunch of rookie DOT guys long before Data Q by writing their supervisors.

    Gee how long ago did we stop using combustible? Had to be when they started to conform with the international standards; Combustible placards were NA numbers instead of UN numbers but over the past 15 - 20 years we've gone much closer to the IMDG codes; I'd bet there are not many NA numbers left.
     
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