A French tour operator was charged this month with illegally transporting hazardous materials after a flare gun ignited in his suitcase at Miami Intl. Airport. Baggage handlers noticed smoke coming form the suitcase as it sat on a cart waiting to be loaded onto a domstic US flight. The owner of the bag was headed for a scuba diving vacation and the boat-type safety flared had cleared security. The Federal DOT and the FAA are still investigating the incident.
Drum It Up
STEEL DRUM INDUSTRY NEWS, TRENDS AND ISSUES
Archive for November, 1998
The "T" Salvage Drum Leads The Way
Recognizing the preference for a globally recognized Salvage Package, Skolnik‘s 85 Gallon "T" Salvage Drum will be replacing the solids only Salvage Drum by the end of 1998. Since the "T" drum does carry both a solids certifications and the "T" certification (solids test when filled with water), the question of domestic or international use will not be necessary. The "T" drum is accepted worldwide for the sage transport of disposal of damaged or leaking inner containers. Cosmetically, the Skolnik "T" drum will have a yellow body with a red cover with the Multi-Lingual Salvage Drum label affixed to the side.
Steel Beats The Heat
Steel drums were recently tested to determine their integrity when exposed to extreme fire situations. The program tested steel drums stacked 2, 3, and 4 high under an AFFF sprinkler system. The drums fitted with non-metallic closures (ie: nylon fittings) met the National Fire Protections Associations definiteion of a "Relieving-Style Container" and performed beyond expectations. Unlike alternative containers made form plastic resisns or paper, the steel containers did not melt or distort, did not lose their contents and fuel the fire, and did not fall from their stacking heights. Though the current NFPA 30 (1996 edition) only recognizes 2-high storage for steel drums fitted with pressure relief devices, it is expected that these tests will result in the ability for users to double storage height when meeting these storage conditions.
