Lately, we at Special Cargo College have been receiving regular questions about the transportation and storage of nitrous oxide. In this article, we provide information on the main regulations that must be met.
Gases are classified as hazardous substances in both transportation and storage regulations. Nitrous oxide is mostly traded in pressure containers, such as gas cylinders and small gas cartridges. In the process, the gas is liquefied under pressure or by strong cooling. This determines hazard classification in legislation. A distinction is made herein between UN 1070, Nitrous oxide (Nitrous oxide) and UN 2201, Nitrous oxide, strongly refrigerated, liquid (Nitrous oxide, strongly refrigerated, liquid).
The dangers of nitrous oxide
The danger of nitrous oxide is twofold. First, nitrous oxide is an oxidizing agent, which means that if the gas becomes involved in a fire, it will feed the fire with oxygen. As a result, the fire becomes more intense. Second, nitrous oxide is mostly transported under pressure. Pressure containers involved in a fire can explode. Recently, a vehicle carrying nitrous oxide bottles burned out, with the exploding bottles hurling debris up to 40 meters away.
Use of nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide is used for medicinal and technical purposes. For medicinal purposes, nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen is used. This type of nitrous oxide is suitable for human consumption. It is used as an anesthetic by dentists, among others, and increasingly as a recreational drug.For technical purposes, nitrous oxide is used as a propellant in whipping syringes and boosting cars on race tracks, among other things. This type of nitrous oxide is not mixed with oxygen, and is therefore not suitable for consumption. It is very pure nitrous oxide (at least 99% pure), which, when inhaled, prevents the lungs from absorbing oxygen. This causes an increased risk of brain damage and even death.
Transportation of nitrous oxide (ADR)
The transportation of pressure containers containing nitrous oxide is subject to the requirements of ADR. A distributor of nitrous oxide, including the salesman who delivers nitrous oxide to his customers, must be trained for this transportation. The driver of the vehicle being used must have a driver’s ADR certificate. Any co-drivers must have completed an ADR awareness course. In addition, these companies are required to appoint an ADR Safety Advisor. This may be an in-house employee trained for this purpose or an externally hired safety consultant.
During the transport itself, many ADR regulations apply, including:
- The presence of a waybill in accordance with ADR;
- Securing the entire load (not just the pressure containers);
- Displaying orange ADR signs on the vehicles;
- Having equipment prescribed by ADR present in the vehicles;
- Having ABC powder extinguishers present;
- No driving through built-up areas (except for loading and unloading);
- Ventilation of vehicles.
Transportation under an exemption
If a maximum of 333 kg (net) of nitrous oxide is transported at a time, it is possible to carry out the transport under an exemption. In that case, some requirements of ADR no longer need to be met. Most of the requirements of the ADR, even when the exemption is applied, simply remain applicable.
If you want to transport nitrous oxide as an individual, it is allowed up to a maximum quantity of 2 kg (net) at a time. Transportation of greater than 2 kg at a time is covered by ADR. In doing so, it is important to realize that transportation for the distribution or sale of nitrous oxide is not considered transportation by private individuals. Application of the exemption is sometimes still possible.
Parking of vehicles in which pressure containers containing nitrous oxide are present (except the aforementioned maximum 2 kg) is not permitted everywhere. Typically, this is allowed only on sites of companies where gases are stored, and at licensed sites.
Storage of nitrous oxide (PGS-15)
Many laws and regulations apply to the storage of dangerous goods. The basic regulations in this regard are provided by the PGS-15 and the Environmental Management Activities Regulations. However, other laws and regulations also contain relevant requirements.
If a maximum of 50 kg of nitrous oxide is stored, the requirements of the PGS-15 do not apply. It is important then to look at the terms and conditions of the insurer and any landlord of the building. In most cases, insurers and owners of residential homes, garage boxes and sometimes even commercial properties do not allow the storage of dangerous goods.
Notification required
If more than 50 kg of nitrous oxide is stored, it is considered a business activity. This is also the case for persons who deal in nitrous oxide on a hobby basis. Before these quantities of nitrous oxide will be stored, this must be reported to the regional implementation service (competent authority) no later than 4 weeks in advance via a Notification of Activities Decree. They come regularly to check compliance with dangerous goods storage regulations. This could include:
- Storage must be in a certified fire compartment that is at least 60 minutes fire resistant;
- The extinguishing system present must be suitable for the storage of nitrous oxide;
- Maximum 2,500 kg of dangerous goods per indoor fire compartment;
- Application of safety signs and presence of Safety Data Sheets;
- Presence of a First Aid Responder organization;
- Protection of pressure containers from heating (including from direct sunlight).
As the quantity of dangerous goods stored increases, more regulations become applicable. For example, starting with a quantity of 2,500 kg of stored hazardous substances, a PGS-15 trained expert must be employed by the company, and a substance record (journal) must be kept.Because laughing gas storage is a commercial activity, the various laws and regulations that apply to Dutch companies also apply. These include the ARBO legislation, which, among other things, imposes the obligation to conduct a Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E).
What if the regulations are not met?
If all legal requirements are not met when transporting or storing dangerous goods, including nitrous oxide, high fines can be issued.If the regulations are repeatedly not complied with, in extreme cases the competent authority can even impose administrative coercion. The overview below shows some of the fines for frequently observed violations.
| Violation | Maximum penalty amount |
|---|---|
| Opening of pressure container by driver | € 500,- |
| Driver not trained | € 1200,- |
| No security advisor appointed | € 1600,- |
| No, or incorrectly completed bill of lading | € 1600,- |
| Missing or incorrect label on pressure container | € 1600,- |
| Unjustified driving through built-up area | € 1600,- |
| Pressure container not (correctly) inspected | € 2400,- |
| No RI&E | € 3000,- |
Wondering what we can do for you?
Special Cargo College provides training and consulting around transportation and storage of dangerous goods. We also advise companies and government agencies and act as ADR safety consultants. The courses below relate to transportation and storage of nitrous oxide.
| Its | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ADR driver course | € 412,20 | refresher every 5 years |
| ADR awareness course | € 65,- | refresher every 2 years |
| ADR safety advisor course | € 625,- | Excl. Examination fees | refresher every 5 years |
| Examination costs ADR safety advisor | € 159,35 | refresher every 5 years |
| Course PGS-15 expert (VBGS) | € 575,- | refresher every 5 years |
| Examination costs PGS-15 expert course | € 89,70 | refresher every 5 years |
| Acting as an external ADR safety advisor | € 1800,- | From rate for 1 year |
| Purchase fire compartment for storage | € 6000,- | Starting rate |
