FAQ

Q: Where are Hoover IBC's manufactured?

A: Our IBC's are made in the USA.

Q: How high can Hoover IBC's 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 IBC's 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: Can Hoover IBC's be shipped stacked?

A: Yes, if the IBC has been design tested for stacking and marked accordingly. Hoover does not recommend stacking filled IBC’s when transporting.

Q: Can I ship filled IBC's stacked. How high can I stack them?

A: Hoover recommends IBCs should not be stacked during transportation when full.

Q: What is the weight that Hoover IBC stainless steel tank can hold?

A: Hoover IBC stainless steel tanks are rated to a 1.9 specific gravity. A tank with a specific gravity of 1.9 can hold a liquid up to 15.75 pounds per gallon.

Q: How often do IBC's and Spec 57 portable tanks have to be retested?

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

Q: Where do I find the current test date?

A: The date of the most recent periodic retest must be marked on the tank on or near the metal serial number plate, 49 CFR 173.32(e) (3). (NOTE: Add tab here to take user to retest pdf.

Q: How can this test be verified?

A: The owner or the lessee of the tank must retain a written record indicating the date and results of all required tests and the name and address of the testing entity until the next retest has been satisfactorily completed and recorded per 49 CFR 173.32(e)(4).

Q: What if the test date expires while the tank is filled with hazardous product?

A: An IBC may not be filled and offered for transportation if the inspection period has expired. This requirement does not apply to any IBC filled prior to the retest or inspection due date. 49CFR173.35 (a)

Q: What hazardous materials can be shipped in a Hoover IBC?

A: Most liquids with a packaging group of II or III provided the shipper has ensured chemical compatibility with the wetted areas of the container and references the 49 CFR for special provisions listed under those specific chemicals MSDS.

Q: How often should each IBC used for the transportation of a hazardous material be successfully retested before further use?

A: Per 49 CFR 173.32(e)(1)(ii), federal regulations state all UN Specification IBCs should be pressure tested at least once every 2.5 years. All units manufactured with the UN marking also need a thickness test every 5 years.

49CFR 173.329(e) reads as follows:

173.32 Requirements for the use of portable tanks.

External inspection prior to filling. Each portable tank must be given a complete external inspection prior to filling. Any unsafe condition must be corrected prior to its being filled and offered for transportation. The external inspection shall include a visual inspection of:

• The shell, piping, valves and other appurtenances for corroded areas, dents, defects in welds and other defects such as missing, damaged, or leaking gaskets;
• All flanged connections or blank flanges for missing or loose nuts and bolts;
• All emergency devices for corrosion, distortion, or any damage or defect that could prevent their normal operation;
• All required markings on the tank for legibility; and
• Any device for tightening manhole covers to ensure such devices are operative and adequate to prevent leakage at the manhole cover.

Hoover recommends 49CFR 180.352 Requirements for retest and inspection of IBCs and 180.605 Requirements for periodic testing, inspection and repair of portable tanks.

Q: Can a Hoover tank be pressurized?

A: No, metal and plastic IBC’s are not designed to be pressure vessels. Per CFR Title 49 for transportation, each IBC unit produced by Hoover goes through a 3 PSIG leakproofness air test for a period of 10 minutes at the time of manufacture. Also, per CFR Title 49 for transportation, each design type produced by Hoover that requires a UN marking goes through a yearly hydrostatic pressure test. Metal IBC design types are hydrostatically pressure tested up 29 PSIG and Plastic IBC design types are hydrostatically pressure tested to 15 PSIG. Hoover’s customers or end users frequently ask if low pressure can be applied to IBC’s to help in the off-loading of their product or if a low pressure nitrogen blanket can be applied to their product. The answer is yes as long as they use a minimum intermittent pressure of between .5 PSIG vacuum to 5 PSIG pressure. Hoover has various pressure/vacuum vents which can be added or supplied with IBC’s that help with over exposure of pressures.

Q: What is the warranty on your stainless steel IBCs?

A: Hoover warrants all rental tanks during the rental contract period and will replace any tank proven to be defective in material or workmanship. Hoover also warrants to the purchaser any new stainless steel tank proven to be defective in material or workmanship for 30 months from date of original invoice.

Q: What is the tare weight of a stainless steel IBC?

A: Each IBC is weighed by the manufacturer and stamped on the serial number plate on the front of the IBC.

Q: What is the UN number?

A: The UN (United Nations) number is on the serial number plate. A full explanation of a 330 gallon stainless steel tank serial number plate is below.

31A/Y/mm yy/M5724/4923kg/2735kg/1325L/218kg/mm yy/mm yy/A-240 304/2.2MM/SER#

Marking	Description
31A	Code number designating type of IBC
Y	Packaging group the IBC is approved for (Group II and III)
0810 yy mm	Month/year of manufacture
USA	Country authorizing the marking
M5724	Name of manufacturer or certification agency
4923	Maximum stacking test load in kg
2735	Maximum permissible gross mass in kg
1325	Rated capacity in liters
218	Tare mass kg (estimate)
mm yy	Month/year of initial leakproofness test date
mm yy	Month/year of initial inspection date
304SS	Material of construction
2.2	Min. Thickness MM
SER#	Manufacturer serial number

Q: How many empty stainless steel IBCs will fit on a trailer?

A: 350 gallon IBCs - 48 in a standard 48' trailer
350 gallon IBCs - 52 in a standard 53' trailer
550 gallon IBCs - 24 in a standard 48' trailer
550 gallon IBCs - 26 in a standard 53' trailer.

Q: What are the closure requirements for IBCs?

A: Per 49 CFR 173.29, all openings including removable heads, filling and vent holes must be tightly closed prior to shipment. (Click here for DOT Closure requirements and more information.)

Q: Is my product compatible with stainless steel?

A: Please see the product MSDS for chemical compatibility. It is the shipper's responsibility to ensure compatibility. For a free materials compatibility chart you can download or use on line, go to www.flw.com/datatools/compatibility.

Q: Will Hoover parts and accessories to fit other manufacturers’ containers?

A: Yes, Hoover IBC sells and distributes parts and accessories for all IBCs.

Q: What makes poly tanks a good choice for my chemical storage/application?

 

A: There are several reasons that a poly tank is a good selection. Among these reasons are:

• Poly tanks are lower cost than stainless steel or fiberglass
• Lightweight - less than one-half the weight of steel
• Seamless construction for easy cleaning and leak proof service
• Virtually maintenance free
• Impact resistance
• Broad range of chemical resistance
• Withstand a variety of weather conditions
• Translucent when molded of natural resin for visible liquid level

Q: What material is used to manufacture Hoover APR poly tanks?

A: Hoover tanks are manufactured with LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene). This resin has good structural rigidity and impact resistance. It is resistant to a broad range of chemicals including sulfuric acid, sodium hypo chlorite, and sodium hydroxide.

Q: How heavy a material can polyethylene tanks hold?

A: A tank with a specific gravity of 1.5 can hold a liquid up to 12.5 pounds per gallon at 100 degrees F. A tank with a specific gravity of 1.9 can hold a liquid up to 15.75 pounds per gallon at 73 degrees F. Please note that an increase in liquid temperature will substantially decrease the specific gravity rating. Also, certain chemicals have environmental stress cracking agents in them so higher specific gravity tanks are needed to compensate even though the weight of the chemical may be lower. Please refer to the Hoover Chemical Resistance Recommendation Chart or call Hoover Container Solutions to determine which tank design is best suited for the chemical application.

Q: How long will a Hoover IBC last?

A: Useful life is dependent on many variables, including chemical attack, IBC design type, UV exposure, and handling wear and tear. Hoover has tanks that have been in the field for over thirty years.

Q: Can an IBC be FDA approved?

A: "Designs" are not approved by the FDA, they only approve the MATERIAL used to construct the tank. Hoover can build IBC's using FDA compliant materials.

Q: Where can I find information regarding Department of Transportation Hazardous material regulations?

A: The following link will take you to the Department of Transportation Research and Special Programs Hazardous Materials Website. This is an invaluable resource for anyone involved with the shipment of or the offering for shipment of Hazardous Materials in U.N. Marked IBC's. http://hazmat.dot.gov