Bulk Freight Containers:

Pallets

To ensure safe transportation of your palletised consignments please follow these guidelines:

Pallets A low portable platform made of wood, plastic, metal, fiberboard or a combination of these materials that is elevated to allow handling by a forklift truck or pallet jack.

European (Euro size) standard pallets have dimensions of 120 cm length, 80 cm width and 15 cm high. The maximum weight that can be safely carried on a Euro sized pallet is 1000 kg and the maximum height is not to exceed 180 cm.

Corrugated Pallets

Many companies are now turning to corrugated pallets because these are acceptable for carrying air freight shipments and can be as effective as wooden pallets. In many cases corrugated pallets are lighter and easier to recycle. However corrugated materials are susceptible to loss of strength in wet conditions unless specially constructed with water repellent materials and this type of construction is necessary in most cases.

Please make sure you are aware of the conditions the pallet will experience in transit and discuss with your supplier before purchasing.

Crates

Use of crates is an ideal approach to protect your shipment from damage and potential losses. The design of and materials used to construct a crate are important if these benefits are to be realized.
The crate will only be as good as its weakest part and the design of the corners is critical.

Crates have differing relative strengths as shipment weights increase so the design and the materials used in constructing a crate must take into account the weight of the items to be carried in the container.

 

Overpacking Overpacking similar to crating, surrounds the items with a protective layer. Examples come in various forms tailored to the customer requirements. The advantages are reduced pilferage and damage.

Drums

Securing Drums to Pallets Liquid filled drums can be very heavy and care must be taken not to exceed the pallet weight capacity.

 

1. Corrugated Sheet Must be between drum and pallet decking. Any piece of corrugated sheet must not be smaller than the base of one drum. Corrugated sheet reduces wear and punctures caused by decking fasteners.

2. Interface Material Is used around and between the drums and should be something the strapping can dig into such as wood or heavy paperboard Prevents steel on steel contact and slipping. Spreads the force exerted by the strapping.

3. Loading The Drums Do not allow overhang of drums at the pallet edge. Keep load as close to the center of the pallet as possible. Multiple drums must be bundled tightly together and use the least amount of pallet surface area as possible.

4. Strapping

Steel strapping is preferred due to its low elasticity.
Strap multiple drums together first one create one unit which is easier to secure.
Use an interface material under the strapping and drum to distribute the load and prevent slipping. Keep strapping as close to the drum sides as possible to limit shifting of the load and protect from damage. Please consider running the strapping between deck boards instead of out to the edge of the pallet.

Pipes

Pipes should be secured to a wood pallet with appropriate blocking protection. These types of shipments require special packaging to prevent the product from puncturing or damaging vehicles, aircraft or other shipments during transportation. Examples include but are not limited to; pipes, rods, tubing, automotive exhaust components.

1. Bundle: Two or more items secured together. Bundling increases the integrity of the load and can reduce loss and damage in the event the load becomes separated from the pallet during transportation.

 

2. Blocking materials; Used in packing and loading to ensure items remain fixed during transit by bracing the items against the pallet.

 

3. Securing: Use strapping material to secure the bundled item(s)to the pallet

Spools and Reels

Spools and reels can shift during transportation due to their shape. Furthermore spools and reels are hard to lift without mechanical assistance. These items must travel in a certain position (on their side or forward facing) and due to weight and safety considerations must be secure at all times. It is for these reasons that spools and reels must always be secured to a pallet for transportation.

	1. Blocking: Should be placed tightly against the object being secured to prevent any movement. 2. Fasteners: Nails, screws or staples should be used to secure the blocking and item to the pallet. 3. Strapping: Steel strapping is preferred over plastic and should be applied where it is not exposed to damage during transportation. The strapping will ensure that the items do not break free from the blocking.
TAKEN FROM THE TNT WEB SITE