One of the most important new features of ADR 2023 concerns gas transport tanks or specifically safety valves and the mark with which they will have to be marked. These safety valves will be mandatory for all tanks intended for the carriage of flammable gases while, for tanks intended for the carriage of compressed gases, non-flammable liquefied gases or dissolved gases, this requirement becomes optional.
The safety valves installed must comply with sections 6.8.3.2.9.1 to 6.8.3.2.9.5 ADR.
It should be specified that transitional measures are in place to allow adaptation and transposition of the new ADR regulation.
As a matter of fact, Chapter 1.6.3.57 specifies that "fixed tanks (tank-vehicles) and demountable tanks constructed before January 1 2024 in accordance with the requirements in force up to 31 December 2022, but which do not, however, conform to the requirements applicable as from 1 January 2023 regarding the fitting of safety valves in accordance with 6.8.3.2.9 may still be used."
Therefore, all new tanks built on or after 1 January 2024 will have to be equipped with the safety valve and SV mark/panel.
In addition, another transitional measure prescribed by Chapter 1.6.3.60, indicates that for "fixed tanks (tank-vehicles) and demountable tanks that are already fitted with safety valves meeting the requirements of 6.8.3.2.9 as applicable from 1 January 2023, do not need to display the marks in accordance with 6.8.3.2.9.6 until the next intermediate or periodic inspection after 31 December 2023."
Therefore, tanks already equipped with safety valves will have to be properly marked with the SV mark starting from the first periodic test after 31/12/2023.
In this article, we do not want to dwell on the operation of these valves but rather on the correct marking (SV mark) and signalling of gas tanks.
The SV panel or SV mark has specific characteristics and a specific design that must be respected, most importantly, it must be able to withstand a 15-minute fire. This means that a normal adhesive panel without any raised lettering is not able to meet this regulatory requirement. The SV mark produced by Serpac can withstand up to a fire of 1400°C without melting, keeping the SV letter mark intact (6.8.3.2.9.6.6 ADR).
Regarding the size of the SV panel, there are two types, and they vary according to the type and capacity of the tank.
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REGULATED SV PANEL (250x250 mm) For any capacity and tank |
REDUCED SV PANEL (120x120 mm) For demountable tanks and tank containers ≤ 3000 L |
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Regarding the position of the SV mark below are some practical examples.
It is important to remember that the SV panel / SV mark should only be affixed on tanks that have the correct safety valves as required by the ADR regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by road.
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TANK VEHICLES (FIXED TANKS)
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DEMOUNTABLE TANKS AND TANK CONTAINERS |
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< 3000 LITERS |
> 3000 LITERS |
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| Apply the 250x250 mm mark on the back and on two sides of the tank vehicle. | Apply the 120x120 mm mark on the two sides of the demountable tank/container tank. | Apply the 250x250 mm mark on the four sides of the demountable tank/container tank. |