6 Ways To Be More Efficient When Testing Stainless Steel Totes

Stainless steel totes manufactured to UN/DOT standards are required to be tested every 30 months. An IBC without a valid test certificate cannot be used for the transportation of regulated products. To maintain the UN/DOT compliance, the Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) owner should follow a regular inspection program and carefully document all testing procedures and the associated results.

Owners of stainless steel totes should consider the following as part of developing a full inspection program for their stainless steel totes and other IBCs:

1. The leakproofness test should be performed every 2.5 years on any UN/DOT approved IBC tank containing liquids for transport.
2. An extensive external inspection should occur every 2.5 years starting from the date of manufacture or repair. 
3. The date of the most recent periodic retest must be marked on the tanks, on or near the UN/DOT plate of the IBC tote, and a retest certificate should be issued to record the results. 
4. A thickness test is required for each stainless steel tote every 5 years starting from the date of manufacture or repair.
5. Be sure to record every test and keep the documentation at least until the next successful inspection. 
6. Owners should always confer with the Federal Department of Transportation (49CFR) for exact information pertaining to your intermediate bulk containers.

Regular inspection and maintenance of your stainless steel totes, along with proper handling and care, will ensure that your IBC investment is well protected for the long term.  Click here for more information on periodic testing of stainless steel tote tanks.