According to a news release issued several days ago by the Steel Shipping Container Institute, the National Fire Protection Association has approved an amendment to NFPA 30 that allows steel drums filled with flammable and combustible liquids and fitted with "relieving style" plugs to be stacked four high in certain warehouses. The warehouses must be equipped with foamwater fire suppression systems.

SSCI says the NFPA decision "doubles warehouse space while safely managing the fire hazards associated with the storage of hazardous materials." SSCI worked in partnership with the American Iron and Steel Institute, National Paints and Coating Association, insurers, fitting manufacturers and chemical companies to gain approval for the standard.

The standard was approved following extensive testing which showed that relieving style plugs (e.g., nylon) could be used in steel containers to prevent catastrophic failures, thereby allowing greater storage of steel drums in warehouses protected with advanced fire suppression equipment.

According to SSCI, the National Fire Protection Association will publish a new Fire Code incorporating the new requirements this year.

For additional information, contact SSCI Technical Director Dennis Freezer at 202/408-1900 or by e-mail at freezer@steelcontainers.com.

From Reusable Industrial Packaging Association Memorandum.