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1.1 This guide is intended to provide a standardized method and a set of basic instructions for performing hydrostatic pressure testing on Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) designs as required by the United States Department of Transportation Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN).

1.2 This guide focuses on composite and rigid plastic IBCs and is suitable for testing IBCs of any design or material type.

1.3 This guide provides information to help clarify various terms used as part of the United Nations (UN) certification process that may assist in determining the applicable test.

1.4 This guide provides the suggested minimum information that should be documented when conducting pressure testing.

1.5 This guide provides information for recommended equipment and fittings for conducting pressure tests.

1.6 This guide is based on the current information contained in 49 CFR 178.814.

1.7 When testing packaging designs intended for hazardous materials (dangerous goods), the user of this guide shall be trained in accordance with 49 CFR 172.700 and other applicable hazardous materials regulations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), and carrier rules such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.

1.8 Units—”The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this guide.

1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

4.1 Dangerous goods (hazardous materials) regulations require performance tests to be conducted on packaging or IBC designs before being authorized for use. The regulations do not include standardized procedures for conducting performance tests and, because of this, may result in a non-uniform approach and differences in test results between testing facilities.

4.2 The purpose of this standard is to provide guidance and to establish a set of common practices for conducting hydrostatic pressure tests on IBC designs subjected to UN certification testing.

4.3 Intermediate bulk container designs are required to be tested in a sequence. This guide focuses on conducting the hydrostatic pressure test, which is preceded in the test sequence by the leakproofness test. The fittings and adaptors applied to the container for the hydrostatic pressure test may also be used for the leakproofness test.