Understand the Risks of Composite Intermediate Bulk Containers

Composite intermediate bulk containers (CIBC) have become a popular option for the transportation and storage of combustible liquids. The typical CIBC consists of a blow-molded polyethylene bottle that is placed inside a wire cage or sheet-metal enclosure. CIBCs fail quickly when they are exposed to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical engineering progress 2019-02, Vol.115 (2), p.39-43
Main Author: Snyder, Michael D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blow molding
Chemical engineering
City ordinances
Containers
Drainage
Engineers
Fire exposure
Fire protection
Fires
Flammability
Hydrocarbons
Inspection
Intermediate bulk containers
Metal sheets
Occupational safety
Polyethylene
Polyethylenes
Sprinkler systems
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Summary:Composite intermediate bulk containers (CIBC) have become a popular option for the transportation and storage of combustible liquids. The typical CIBC consists of a blow-molded polyethylene bottle that is placed inside a wire cage or sheet-metal enclosure. CIBCs fail quickly when they are exposed to fire. In fact, many CIBCs are vulnerable to rapid container failure from even small-exposure fires involving ordinary combustible materials (e.g., wood and paper). The UK Health and Safety Executive conducted research on this hazard in the early 2000s after a series of large-loss fires in Europe involving CIBCs. Fires involving CIBCs that are not listed and labeled occur with some frequency in industry. The four major fires described here highlight the predictable and reproducible dynamic of a large-loss fire involving CIBCs. There are many other fire incidents in which CIBCs may have played a role, but investigation and inspection personnel overlooked the significance of CIBCs.
ISSN:0360-7275
1945-0710