Inspection and testing
The design type of each flexible bulk container shall be tested as provided for in 6.11.5 in accordance
with procedures established by the competent authority allowing the allocation of the mark and shall
be approved by this competent authority.
Tests shall also be repeated after each modification of the design type, which alters the
design, material or manner of construction of a flexible bulk container.
Tests shall be carried out on flexible bulk containers prepared as for carriage. Flexible bulk containers
shall be filled to the maximum mass at which they may be used and the contents shall be evenly
distributed. The substances to be carried in the flexible bulk container may be replaced by other
substances except where this would invalidate the results of the test. When another substance is used it
shall have the same physical characteristics (mass, grain size, etc.) as the substance to be carried. It is
permissible to use additives, such as bags of lead shot, to achieve the requisite total mass of the
flexible bulk container so long as they are placed so that the test results are not affected.
Flexible bulk containers shall be manufactured and tested under a quality assurance programme which
satisfies the competent authority, in order to ensure that each manufactured flexible bulk container
meets the requirements of this Chapter.
Drop test
Applicability
For all types of flexible bulk containers, as a design type test.
Preparation for testing
The flexible bulk container shall be filled to its maximum permissible gross mass.
Method of testing
The flexible bulk container shall be dropped onto a target surface that is non-resilient and horizontal.
The target surface shall be:
(a) Integral and massive enough to be immovable;
(b) Flat with a surface kept free from local defects capable of influencing the test results;
(c) Rigid enough to be non-deformable under test conditions and not liable to become damaged by
the tests; and
(d) Sufficiently large to ensure that the test flexible bulk container falls entirely upon the surface.
Following the drop, the flexible bulk container shall be restored to the upright position for
observation.
Drop height shall be:
Packing group III: 0.8 m
Criteria for passing the test
(a) There shall be no loss of contents. A slight discharge, e.g. from closures or stitch holes, upon
impact shall not be considered to be a failure of the flexible bulk container provided that no
further leakage occurs after the container has been restored to the upright position;
(b) There shall be no damage, which renders the flexible bulk container unsafe to be carried for
salvage or for disposal.
Top lift test
Applicability
For all types of flexible bulk containers as a design type test.
Preparation for testing
Flexible bulk containers shall be filled to six times the maximum net mass, the load being evenly
distributed.
Method of testing
A flexible bulk container shall be lifted in the manner for which it is designed until clear of the floor
and maintained in that position for a period of five minutes.
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