Understanding Orange UN Numbered Panels

If you’ve ever driven behind a tanker truck or seen a train carrying large containers, you may have noticed bright orange rectangular panels with black numbers displayed on them next to the hazard class placards. Per the various dangerous goods regulations, these are known as orange panels. Essentially these orange panels are meant to display UN numbers much like a hazard class placard does. Although it is not always a requirement to display UN numbers on or near placards, it is important to understand the different scenarios where it is a requirement.

When Can Orange UN Numbered Panels be used?

United States

A few years back, Karrie Ishmael wrote a very informative article on placarding dangerous goods shipments.

Generally, when shipping in bulk packaging, a UN number is required to be displayed. You will find this reference at Part 172.331 of the 49CFR. Here it states that each person who offers a hazardous material to a motor carrier for transportation in a bulk packaging shall provide the motor carrier with the required identification numbers on placards or plain white square-on-point display configurations, as authorized, or shall affix orange panels containing the required identification. This gives the option to either use a UN numbered placard or display the 4-digit UN number on an orange panel next to the hazard class placard. This means that if you currently have placards that do not have UN numbers displayed on them, and you are now making a dangerous goods shipment that requires them, instead of purchasing new numbered placards you also have the option to display the UN number on an orange panel to fulfill the requirements. The orange panel must adhere to 172.332 (b) which states they must be 160 mm (6.3 inches) high by 400 mm (15.7 inches) wide with a 15 mm (0.6 inches) black outer border among other requirements.

Canada and International

TDG has a similar requirement located at 4.15.2 which says UN numbers, except UN numbers for dangerous goods included in Class 1, Explosives, must be displayed on a large means of containment in accordance with subsection 4.8(2) if the dangerous goods are in a quantity or concentration for which an ERAP is required or are a liquid or a gas in direct contact with the large means of containment. Section 4.8 (2) allows you to display a UN numbered orange panel placed next to the primary hazard class placard instead of having a UN numbered placard. If you are shipping internationally by sea, section 5.3.2.1.2.2 of the IMDG code also allows you to display the UN number on an orange panel adjacent to the hazard class placard as well. In addition, they require the orange panel to be at least 120 mm high and 300 mm wide, with a 10 mm black border.

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