Ask X3What does 49 CFR 173.35 (Hazardous materials in IBCs) require?
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According to 49 CFR 173.35, the requirements for hazardous materials in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) include:
* Authorization & Compliance: No person may offer or accept a hazardous material for transport in an IBC unless authorized. Each IBC must conform to its specification and commodity regulations.
* Retests & Inspections: A specification IBC that is past due for its periodic retest or inspection cannot be filled and offered for transport until successfully completed (unless it was filled prior to the due date).
* Reuse: Most IBCs can be reused, but multiwall paper IBCs cannot. If an inner liner is required, it must be replaced before each reuse.
* External Visual Inspection: Before filling and offering for transport, the person filling the IBC must inspect it and its service equipment externally to ensure it is free from corrosion, contamination, cracks, cuts, or other damage that would affect its certified design type. It must also have correct, readable markings (missing or damaged markings must be restored).
* Corrosion & Abrasion Protection: Metal IBCs subject to thinning by mechanical abrasion or corrosion from the lading must be protected by added material thickness, a lining, or another suitable method.
* Ullage (Liquids): When filling an IBC with liquids, leave enough empty space so that at a mean bulk temperature of 50 °C (122 °F), the IBC is not filled past 98 percent of its water capacity.
* Closures: If two or more closure systems are fitted in series, close the system nearest to the hazardous material first.
* During Transportation: No hazardous material may remain on the outside of the IBC, and each IBC must be securely fastened to or contained within the transport unit.
* Solids Becoming Liquid: IBCs used for solids that may become liquid at temperatures encountered during transport must be capable of containing the substance in its liquid state.
* Pressure Resistance (Liquids): Liquid hazardous materials may only be offered in metal, rigid plastic, or composite IBCs resistant to internal pressure increases. Rigid plastic and composite IBCs must meet specific vapor pressure and gauge/absolute pressure limits relative to their marked test pressure. Metal IBCs cannot transport liquids with a vapor pressure greater than 110 kPa (16 psig) at 50 °C or 130 kPa (18.9 psig) at 55 °C.
* Packing Group & Capacity Limits: You cannot fill any IBC with a Packing Group I liquid. For Packing Group I solids, rigid plastic, composite, flexible, wooden, or fiberboard IBCs cannot exceed 1.5 cubic meters (53 cubic feet) capacity, while metal IBCs cannot exceed 3 cubic meters (106 cubic feet).
* Electrostatic Discharge: When transporting liquids with a flash point of 60 °C (140 °F) or lower (closed cup), or powders that can cause dust explosions, you must take measures during loading and unloading to prevent dangerous electrostatic discharges.
* Filling Limits & Gross Mass: Generally, do not exceed the maximum gross mass marked on the container. However, specific weight multipliers are allowed when filling an IBC with certain Packing Group II or III solid or liquid materials, provided the container meets all performance criteria at the higher mass.