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IBC HANDLING INFORMATION AND TERM DEFINITIONS
Helping you cut through the jargon and understand the safest, most efficient ways to handle your IBCs. Read on for terminology and their meanings in addition to useful tips for container filling, transportation, emptying and storage from Basildon’s experts.
COMMON IBC TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS
The world of IBCs can seem daunting at first, especially when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for. Whilst we’re connected to many of the UK’s large business managers and independents who may be familiar with industry terminology, we want to ensure those not up to speed with the terms are not overwhelmed. In light of this, the Pensteel Ltd team have put together a small list of the most common phrases that cause confusion, explained in the simplest forms.
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EX RatingEX-rated equipment refers to equipment that has been classified for safe use in hazardous areas. Non EX IBC tanks can emit small sparks or static discharge when filling or emptying, which can have catastrophic consequences when low-flashpoint liquids are involved. Any liquid with a flashpoint of less than 60 degrees Celsius MUST be stored in an EX-rated IBC. Our SX-EX and MX-EX food-grade IBC tanks are two examples of this.
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FSSCFSSC or Food Safety System Certification, means that an IBC tank is certified for use in the food industry. Containers with the certification can be used to store potable water, syrups, soft drinks and most other foodstuffs. Some liquids in the food industry may require both FSSC and EX ratings, such as whiskey, or other low flashpoint alcohols. For these liquids, we can offer an MX-EX-FSSC container. Please note that Food Certification is only valid for the first time the container is used.
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S60 x 6The S60 x 6 thread is the thread found on most Schutz IBC tanks with a 50mm valve. The thread itself is very coarse, making it easy to recognise. Pensteel are able to offer various adaptors to take S60 x 6 thread to BSP and camlock type fittings.
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BSPA BSP, or British Standard Pipe thread can come in many sizes, from ¼ inch all the way up to 3 inches off the shelf and larger. BSP threads are very fine, and therefore cannot be attached straight to a Schutz IBC. Pensteel are able to offer adaptors to allow BSP threads to mate with Schutz IBC tanks.
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S100 x 8The S100 x 8 thread is the thread found on Schutz’s 3-inch/80mm valves. As with its 2-inch counterpart, the thread is very coarse, making It easily distinguishable from a BSP or similar thread. Pensteel are able to offer adaptors that allow other 3-inch parts to connect to a Schutz IBC Tank with this thread, as well as reducers which allows the use of 2-inch parts on this 80mm valve.
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CamlockCamlock valves and adaptors are somewhat rarer than their S60 x 6 or BSP counterparts. Instead of using threads to connect to adaptors, camlock valves use a dry-coupler system. Camlock valves do also have a thread for screw caps – this thread is incredibly fine, and the caps are almost flat, again making them easy to distinguish. A camlock adaptor that fits to an IBC will also generally have large metal arms, which allows the adaptor to couple with the IBC Tank. Pensteel are able to offer a range of camlock adaptors from 2-inch to 3-inch.
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Anti-Pressure/Anti-Vacuum/Pre-VacAn anti-pressure vent is designed to stop large pressure build-ups within an IBC tank. Often during storage or transport, certain liquids can emit vapours or pressure which, if left unchecked, can cause an IBC tank to split, crack or even in some cases explode if no anti-pressure vent is fitted.
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Anti-VacuumAnti-Vacuum vents are designed to stop an IBC tank from collapsing in on itself during discharge. It may not sound like anything too serious if an IBC tank collapses when a user is emptying it, however this can end up being quite violent and can easily bend and warp the metal cage and pallet or even split the plastic bottle. An anti-vacuum vent solves this issue by allowing air into the IBC, replacing the product that is being emptied from it.
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A pre-vacA pre-vac, or anti-pressure, anti-vacuum vent is capable of doing both of the previous tasks, allowing pressure out, and also allowing air in when discharging. Certain liquids, such as fuels, have flammable vapours and fumes, which can escape from an anti-pressure vent. Pensteel Ltd can offer flame gauzes for these. In the event of the fumes igniting, they will not be able to pass through the flame gauze, meaning the product in the IBC won’t end up going off in one go.
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RJTRJT fittings or Ring Joint Type Fittings are usually used in the food industry as they’re able to be dismantled and cleaned easily. RJT threads look a little coarser than a BSP thread, however they are generally thinner or shorter. If you’re unsure of which thread you have or require, please contact us.
IBC HANDLING INFORMATION:
Before filling:
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Check that the pallet, cage and bottle and valve are suitable for use with the intended product
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Ensure that the valve is securely tightened to the inner bottle and that the valve is closed
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Check that the inside of the bottle is clean
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When hot filling product do not exceed 65°C
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When bottom filling ensure that the vents are functioning correctly
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Do not overfill the IBC
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After filling ensure that the lid seal is correctly positioned, and tighten the screw cap to 70-80 Newton/Meters
Handling and transportation
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Do not stack filled IBCs without checking the diagram on the right, if in doubt please contact Pensteel for advice
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Do not lift IBCs from the top frame
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Ensure that the fork truck tines are fully inserted under the IBC before lifting
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Ensure that the vehicle floor is in good condition and free of all nails etc that could puncture the IBC
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If you wish to transport more than a single layer of filled IBCs then please check in the image to the right
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Always transport IBCs with the correct labelling attached to the ID plate
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Always secure IBCs to prevent possible movement during transit
Before Emptying:
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Please ensure that a vacuum is not created by loosening the inlet screw cap
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All couplings connected to the outlet valve must be supported
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Do not tighten couplings onto the outlet valve using wrenches, spanners, Stilsons, etc
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Do not pressurise the container to aid discharge
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After emptying always close and secure the outlet valve
Storage
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If storing the IBC in warehouse racking always use a slave pallet. Do not store IBCs unsupported
