FIBC Performance Testing

Berry Plastics Tapes and Coatings Division  FIBC adheres to all established performance standards for Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC) as recommended by the Chemical Packaging Committee of of the International Organization for Packaging Professionals (IOPP), in conjunction with the Materials Transportation Bureau of the US Department of Transportation and the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (FIBCA). FIBCs are also known by generic names including bulk bags and semi-bulk containers.

FIBCs must pass all Performance Tests with no loss of content, breakage, tears, safety concerns or handling complications. Below in an abbreviated form are the performance tests with which every FIBC should comply:

• Drop Test – FIBC is dropped free-fall onto a concrete floor striking squarely on its base. Drop height is 2 ft 6 in for non-hazardous materials; 4 ft for hazardous materials.
• Shock Load Test – FIBC is dropped in free-fall and jerked to a halt before it hits the ground, exerting a calibrated 5G force. This test simulates what happens when an FIBC is suspended on the tines of a forklift that hits a bump. The resultant shock to the lifting system is several times the actual weight contained.
• Topple Test – FIBC is stacked atop another unit and toppled in free-fall onto a concrete floor. Drop height is 3 ft for non-hazardous materials; 4 ft for hazardous materials.
• Topple and Drag – FIBC is toppled off another FIBC at least 3 ft high onto a concrete and dragged a distance of at least 2 ft at 3 mph.
• Righting Test – FIBC lying on its side must be lifted to an upright position clear off the floor using a choker sling. For non-hazardous materials, FIBC is to be lifted by two adjacent slings or one sleeve; for hazardous materials, by one sling or sleeve.
• Filling and Discharge Test – FIBC is filled and discharged to ensure safe and smooth operations per manufacturer’s design.
• Handling Test – Using standard forklift tine, operator must safely and smoothly lift, stack and transport filled FIBC.
• Safe Working Load Tests – Cyclical compression tests are performed on filled FIBC to determine the highest weight capacity certified based on a 5:1 safety factor(swl) for non-hazardous and 6:1 safety factor(swl). FIBC must exhibit no destruction up to 5 or 6 times the weight being carried, based on non-hazardous or hazardous classification of product packaged.