Testing Procedures of UN Certified FIBC Bags

Around the world, the transportation of hazardous products is regulated within a framework established by the United Nations (UN) Subcommittee of Expert on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. It provides consistent international guidelines to prevent accidents and damages to people, property, and the environment.
If you’re involved in the transportation of materials which are highly regulated, you will need to make use of storage containers or bags which are well built and won’t cause any environmental disasters. This becomes very important especially if the material that you are transporting happens to be toxic or volatile in nature.
For consistency purposes, there are strict standards for testing each bag including the preparation of the bag before it is tested. Proper FIBC bag testing preparation includes:

• Contents must be evenly distributed
• Bag must be filled not less than 95% full
• Drop tests must be performed with the solid to be transported OR a non-hazardous material that has the same physical characteristics.

Vibration Testing:

UN certified bags must be designed to withstand a rigorous vibration test. The test is 60 minutes long and the vibrations are set at a frequency which causes the bag to raise from the vibration table platform. All UN Certified bags must be capable of pass this test. The criteria for passing this test is no rupture of the bag and no leakage of contents.

Stack Testing:

The stacking test is required for all FIBCs that are designed to be stacked. During the stack test, a top load is placed on a filled bag for 24 hours. The top load weighs 1.8x the combined maximum permissible gross mass of the bags that may be stacked on the FIBC. The passing criteria for this test is no loss of contents and no deterioration of the bag making it unsafe for transportation.

Righting Test:

The Righting Test is required for all UN Certified FIBC Bags that are designed to be lifted from both the top side. During this test, the bag is on its side and lifted to an upright position. The bag is then lifted at a specific speed and must be able to be lifted by both one or two approved lifting devices.

Drop Testing:

All UN Certified FIBC Bags must pass the drop test. During the drop test, the bags are filled in accordance with proper UN testing preparation. The bag is then dropped from specific heights based on the packaging group on the most vulnerable part of the base of the bag.

Top Lift Testing:
The top lift test is required for all FIBCs that are designed to be lifted from the top and/or the side. During the top lift test, the bag is lifted by an approved lifting device. During the test, the bag must maintain its integrity with a 6:1 SWL load for 5 minutes which means the bag must hold 6x the safe working loads the bag is rated for the duration of the test. The criteria for passing the drop test is no loss of contents and only a slight momentary discharge is permitted.