Abnormal procedure approved by Tukes

Test mediums used in TDG tank leak and pressure tests

The leak and pressure tests of tanks used to transport dangerous goods must be performed in connection with the inspections and using primarily water. Corrosive or toxic substances may not be used.  Using gas is also a safety hazard.  The test medium must be compatible with the tank material as well as the substance transported in the tank. The test medium may not cause a hazard for the inspector or anyone nearby. Costs are not reason enough to change the medium.

The TDG tank leak and pressure test must be performed in connection with the intermediate and periodic inspections of the tank in accordance with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency regulation on the transport of dangerous goods. The tank shall be subjected to pressure that is at least as high as the maximum allowed operating pressure. As per the regulation, metallic tanks used to transport dangerous goods must be tested, inspected and marked pursuant standard EN 12972.

The fluid pressure test and leak test of transport tanks shall be performed primarily using water. Corrosive or toxic substances may not be used in the test. Other mediums may only be used subject to the inspector’s approval or in special circumstances if justifiable due to the properties of the transported substance or the safety of its use. Even then, the medium must be compatible with the tank material and the substance transported in the tank and under no circumstances may it cause a hazard for the inspector or bystanders. Especially when the medium is gas, it is important to pay attention to the precautions pursuant to standard EN 12972, Appendix C.

Using gas for the pressure test is always a safety hazard, and it should be avoided. If, for a justifiable reason, the leak test is performed using a substance other than water, other inspection bodies and Tukes (email: [email protected]) should be notified without undue delay. The notification should give the reasons for the solution. Tukes will publish the test mediums on the list below. This procedure ensures that all actors use equal inspection methods.

Using liquid fuel as a test medium for the periodic or leak testing of tanks used for transporting liquid fuel is not permitted because, in accordance with the TDG regulations, the flash point of the substitute test medium must be above 61°C and liquid fuel and diesel do not meet this requirement.

List of established abnormal mediums

A separate notification is not required for using these mediums.

Standards approved by Tukes

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods includes a list of standards pertaining to tank structure, equipment, type approval, testing and marking. The list comprises so-called reference standards that should be used in the design, production and testing of tanks.

Tukes may approve a standard that has already been approved as a reference standard for future international ADR/RID regulations.

Standards approved by Tukes

Technical codes

In accordance with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Tukes has the right to acknowledge technical codes, which will achieve the same safety level, taking into account scientific and technological development:

• If the reference standard is not included in the regulation’s list of standards
• In special situations that are not referred to in the reference standard of the list of standards

However, tanks must meet at least the minimum requirements of section 6.8.2 of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation.

Technical codes approved by Tukes

Special permits

Pursuant to the Act on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (541/2023), section 136, Tukes is a competent authority with the right to grant special permits in individual cases or for product development purposes. Tukes may grant permission to deviate from the regulations and decrees proscribed in the act with regard to packagings, tanks and containers. The correct authority to apply for a special permit for packagings or tanks used to transport radioactive substances is the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). A special permit issued by Tukes shall be subject to the terms and conditions deemed necessary by Tukes. Tukes may grant exceptions only for a special compelling reason or if compliance with the provisions and regulations results in considerable inconvenience. In addition, for an exception to be granted, the required safety level must be achieved through other means. NB: Unless otherwise stated, special permits are national, i.e. they only apply to transport in Finland.

Special permits approved by Tukes

Approved terms of transport

Pursuant to the Act on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (541/2023) section 27, Tukes is a competent authority with the right to approve the terms of transport specified under the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. For example, Tukes shall have the authority to determine the terms of transport for cells and batteries which may in standard transport conditions rapidly discharge, react dangerously, catch fire or produce hazardous levels of heat or toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours. It is not allowed to transport the above-mentioned damaged or deficient batteries without terms of transport determined by Tukes.

Terms of transport approved by Tukes

Approved test methods

Pursuant to the Act on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (541/2023) section 27, Tukes is a competent authority with the right to approve the test methods required for some dangerous goods and their packagings or tanks under the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Special Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.  

Test methods approved by Tukes

Special TDG agreements

The special agreements referred to in the ADR and RID agreement, section 4, subsection 3, may be observed in the transport of dangerous goods between countries that have signed said agreement. The special agreement signed by Finland may also be applied to the transport of dangerous goods in Finland. Traficom will provide information on the signing of agreements on its own up-to-date TDG site as well as the agreement information site:

Special ADR agreements

Special RID agreements