ADR special provision 283
Gas-filled shock absorbers and pneumatic springs are outside ADR if gas space ≤ 1.6 L, charge ≤ 280 bar, litres × bar ≤ 80 and conditions (a)-(e) are met.
Articles containing gas that work as shock absorbers, impact energy absorbers or pneumatic springs are exempt from ADR when all five conditions are satisfied. The conditions cover size and pressure, burst strength, non-fragmenting material, quality assurance accepted by the competent authority, and a fire test of the design type. Equipment used for operating the vehicle is dealt with in 1.1.3.2 (d).
| Value | Applies when |
|---|---|
| 1.6 litres | maximum gas space capacity per article |
| 280 bar | maximum charge pressure |
| 80 litres × bar | maximum product of capacity and charge pressure |
| 4 times charge pressure at 20 °C | minimum burst pressure, gas space not exceeding 0.5 litres |
| 5 times charge pressure | minimum burst pressure, gas space above 0.5 litres |
Conditions
- (a) Gas space at most 1.6 litres, charge pressure at most 280 bar, and capacity in litres times pressure in bar no more than 80 (for instance 0.5 L at 160 bar, 1 L at 80 bar, 1.6 L at 50 bar or 0.28 L at 280 bar).
- (b) Burst pressure at least 4 times the 20 °C charge pressure up to 0.5 litres of gas space, and at least 5 times above 0.5 litres.
- (c) Made of a material that does not break into fragments when it ruptures.
- (d) Built to a quality assurance standard the competent authority accepts.
- (e) The design type has passed a fire test showing that pressure is vented through a fire degradable seal or other relief device, without fragmenting and without the article rocketing.
Refers to: 1.1.3.2 (d).
Carried by 1 Table A entry
Source: ADR 2025 (ECE/TRANS/352), Volume I, section 3.3.1, special provision 283, page 618.
Paraphrase in FreightUtils' own words, not the official text. Not yet reviewed.
ADR 2027 amendments (accepted, applying from 1 January 2027) are not yet reflected on this page.