Still facing questions about the requirement for vibration testing on design types, the DOT responded to such an inquiry in December 2002. Asked if the vibration standard under CFR 178.608 is required for design qualification testing only and not the periodic retesting of packagings, DOT responded that all performance tests and design qualification tests per CFR 178.603; 604, 605, 606 or 607 must be performed in accordance with 178.601(c)(1) and (c)(2) per 178.601(e). However, as stated in 178.608, each non-bulk package must be capable of withstanding, without rupture or leakage, the vibration test. This capability can be demonstrated through the package performance history using this type of packaging or by performing the vibration test. The vibration test is not required to be performed for non-bulk packagings. For certain packagings such as IBC‘s, the test must be conducted for both design type and periodic retesting.
Drum It Up
STEEL DRUM INDUSTRY NEWS, TRENDS AND ISSUES
Archive for May, 2003
Chemical Industry Seen As A Security Risk
Nerve agents like VX and sarin gas are scary terrorist threats, but top federal officials are more worried about chemicals that travel the nation‘s highways every day — they are just as lethal. They are realizing the threat posed by chemicals that have uses in American industry. For instance, toxic industrial chemicals such as chlorine, phosgene, and hydrogen cyanide are readily available. These are among the earliest chemical weapons and were used by troops in World War I. Today, they are commonly used in commercial manufacturing, and experts believe they could easily be used for terrorism. Cyanide, for instance, is used where metals are attached to each other, in electroplating and jewelry manufacturing. Law enforcement agencies are working with the chemical industry to improve security of transportation of chemicals and the safety of chemical facilities. During such times, it is doubtful if diminishing steel drum metal thickness is worth increasing the risk of an in-transit incident. Consider drums that are thicker and heavier than industry minimums.
As Chemical Security Increases, Don‘t Minimize Steel Drum Performance
From an idea came a logical solution. "Bolt rings on steel drums are hard to use. Closing a drum with a lever would be easier." It is now over 2 years since we introduced the "Whack-No-More" Quick-Lever Closing Ring for all our open head sizes, and our customers have fallen in love with this new option. While bolt rings are a familiar way to secure an open head drum, the Quick-Lever Closure secures a drum in a few seconds, with no tools, no calibrations, and no torque requirements. And for those that need repeated access to contents, nothing beats the ease of the Quick-Lever release and snap-shut. The bolt ring is still the standard on our open heads and we would be happy to let you talk to some of our customers that switched to the Quick-Lever. Let them tell you how they made up for the added ring cost with cost reductions in labor, increased productivity and elimination of Department of Transportation fines for violating closure instructions.
