Notice

Hand and Body Warmers, and Filming Equipment Warmers

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR), and by reference the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instruction for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO TI's), regulate the transportation by air of items classified as dangerous goods both in Canada and internationally.

This notice is for the attention of those who wish to transport hand and body warmers and film equipment warmers by air, and for air operators and agents responsible for air passenger check-in and security checks.

Hand and Body Warmers

Hand and body warmers, and filming equipment warmers are sold in retail and specialty stores. They come in various forms and sizes, but rely on four technologies:

• Chemically activated;
• liquid fuel;
• solid fuel; and
• liquefied gas.

The chemically activated warmers heat up as a result of a chemical reaction activated by air (oxidation of iron) or by a crystallization (sodium acetate). They are not regulated for transport by air. 

The solid fuel hand and body warmer heat when a charcoal fuel stick is ignited with a direct flame and sufficient amount of air. They are not regulated for transport by air.

Neither the chemically activated warmer nor the solid fuel warmer should be activated while in transport by air. The liquid fuel warmer, commonly known as the stainless steel hand warmer resembling an oversize lighter, burns on cigarette lighter fluid. A warmer containing liquid fluid and the lighter fluid are fully regulated for air transport and must not be transported in checked or carry-on baggage.

Film Equipment Warmers

Electric heating pads run from gasoline fueled generators are used to maintain the heat of film equipment. The electric heating pad is not regulated for transport by air, but a generator that contains gasoline and the gasoline are fully regulated for air transport and must not be transported in checked or carry-on baggage.

Liquefied gas (propane) heaters available in many shapes and sizes used to warm-up filming equipment are also fully regulated for transport by air and must not be transported in checked or carry-on baggage.

For additional information please call:

• Atlantic : (506) 851-7247
• Prairie and Northern : (780) 495-5278
• Quebec : (514) 633-6838
• Pacific : (604) 666-5655
• Ontario : (416) 952-0000
• Airline Inspection : (514) 633-3116