IATA Class 7 - Type B(U) and B(M) Packages

IATA, Type B(U) and Type B(M) packages must not contain activities greater than the following:

• For low dispersible radioactive material, as authorized on the certificate of approval
• For Special Form, 3,000 A1 or 100,000 A2, whichever is lower
• For all other radioactive material, 3,000 A2

Type B(U) and Type B(M) packages must meet all of the requirements for Type A packages, as well as the following requirements:

• Capable of operating in ambient temperatures of -40°C to 38°C (-40°F to 100.4°F)
• Maximum normal operating pressure of 700 kPa
• Restrict the loss of radioactive contents to A2 in a week when subjected to the following tests:
  • Free drop from 9 m
  • Penetration test
  • Enveloping fire of 800°C (1472°F) for 30 minutes
  • Water immersion test of 15 m for a minimum of 8 hours
  • Water immersion test of 200 m for 1 hour
  • Capable of being left unattended for up to one week in 38°C (100.4°F) without adversely impacting the package in its ability to meet containment, shielding, and criticality control requirements
  • Restrict the loss of radioactive contents to 10^-6A2 per hour when subjected to normal conditions of transport tests

Type B(U) packages require unilateral approval, while Type B(M) packages require multilateral approval. That means that the competent authority of each State that the Type B(M) package is transported to must provide approval.

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