FAQs

Q: Can filled Hoover IBCs be shipped stacked?

A: Yes, if the IBC has been design tested for stacking and marked accordingly.

Q: How high can Hoover IBCs be stacked when not during transportation in a warehouse??

A: When not in transportation and in a warehouse and filled to its maximum gross weight, Hoover’s metal IBCs can typically be stacked 3 high. The APR all poly IBC and the Tuff Tank II can typically be stacked 2 high when filled to their maximum gross weight in a warehouse.

Q: How often do IBCs and Spec 57 portable tanks have to be retested?

A: IBCs and Spec 57 portable tanks have to be retested every 2-1/2 years. Additionally, metal IBCs have to be thickness tested every 5 years. If testing details and procedures are needed, contact your HMHGI sales representative.

Q: Is it safe and legal to vent material ABC within container XYZ during transportation?

A: This is not a simple question to answer. In general, for regulated materials, the venting limitations during transportation are referenced in the DOT’s 49 CFR §173.24 General requirements for packagings and packages, Paragraph (g) Venting which states:

Venting of packagings, to reduce internal pressure which may develop by the evolution of gas from the contents, is permitted only when—

(1) Transportation by aircraft is not involved;

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, the evolved gases are not poisonous, likely to create a flammable mixture with air or be an asphyxiant under normal conditions of transportation;

(3) The packaging is designed so as to preclude an unintentional release of hazardous materials from the receptacle;

(4) For bulk packagings, other than IBCs, venting is authorized for the specific hazardous material by a special provision in the §172.101 table or by the applicable bulk packaging specification in part 178 of this subchapter; and

(5) Intermediate bulk packagings (IBCs) may be vented when required to reduce internal pressure that may develop by the evolution of gas subject to the requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) of this section. The IBC must be of a type that has successfully passed (with the vent in place) the applicable design qualification tests with no release of hazardous material.

Note that items (1), (2), (3) and (5) apply to IBCs. Item (5) requires that if a vent is installed in an IBC during transportation, the vent must be tested when the IBC is itself design tested.

Q: What specific gravity can the IBC legally contain?

A: Most Hoover containers are certified to 1.9 specific gravity but this can vary by product design per the IBC’s UN markings.