Can you help explain two entries in NFPA 13-2019 Table A.20.4(b) for "Empty Containers" on page 418?
Rigid plastic (not including PET) up to 32-oz. (1L) is non-expanded. Rigid plastic (not including PET) greater than 32-oz. (1L) is expanded. What are they referring to? Is this a one-gallon PE bucket? A 64-oz. detergent bottle? Milk crates? I guess my question is - what is a rigid plastic container? There's a huge difference if it needs to be treated as an Exposed Expanded Group A plastic versus Non-Expanded. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
8 Comments
Franck
3/8/2021 09:42:03 am
It could be any plastic container that is stored empty, including plastic boxes (as Tupperware).
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Franck
3/8/2021 09:44:12 am
By the way, you have the same type of differenciation with corrugated cardboard.
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CJ Bonczyk
3/8/2021 10:16:15 am
PET's are just Class IV. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a versatile plastic from the polyesters. PET's are items such as water bottles, liquid medicine containers, soft drinks, sport drinks, single-serve water, ketchup, salad dressing, vitamins, vegetable oil bottles and peanut butter containers, take out food storage.
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Franck
3/9/2021 03:53:20 am
You are fully right, with one exception.
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ad
3/9/2021 02:57:25 pm
Franck,
Dan
3/8/2021 10:24:26 am
This has been something we have been kicking the tires about for a while now. More so the politics of it for existing installations. Essentially there is rigid plastic containers and then non-rigid (flexible) containers where it is expected that the container lose shape very quickly (like thinner PE materials for example). Franck has it from there. If I can get air all around the formed container that retains it shape longer, then my heat release will prove substantially greater than an otherwise glob of solid plastic. Is the heat like EPS or other well-noted expanded plastics? Not quite....but definitely more than a typical solid plastic form - and more so approaching expanded plastics. Reinforced plastic pallets aren't treated as nonexpanded plastics for similar reason. Obviously this has implications for new installations (especially if not bid as such) as well as existing ones. Lots of systems installed for such assuming nonexpanded plastic.
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Have you noticed how plastic containers are often used in the cosmetic field for packaging? Be it a foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick or blusher, most of them come with the plastic container.
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Christopher Jones
2/10/2023 11:53:41 am
I have (2) different scenarios with the same product (empty 5L HDPE containers) from 2 different manufactures and package slightly different both having cardboard dividers and on wood pallets. I am leaning towards exposed expanded encapsulated Group "A" on the pallet load without cardboard sides due to the row of containers enclosed in plastic bags. The pallet load with the cardboard partial sides and full cardboard top would be the same due to having only partial sides. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Included is a link to some photos. Thanks.
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