STEEL DRUMS 101PREPARED AND PRESENTED BY THE INDUSTRIAL STEEL DRUM INSTITUTE

ISDI Represents Steel Drum Manufacturers in North America

Mission

To promote the common interests of its members through government

relations, technical research, education and information exchange,

media relations, and generic marketing programs.

• Founding member of the Industrial Packaging Alliance of North

America

• U.S. representative to the International Confederation of Drum

Manufacturers

www.whysteeldrums.org

MEMBERSHIP

Chicago Steel Container Corporation

Engy Group – ENGY Southwest Container Products

General Steel Drum LLC

Greif, Inc.

Mauser Packaging Solutions

Myers Container LLC

North Coast Container LLC

O’Bryan Barrel Company, Inc.

Schütz Container Systems, Inc.

ISDIRepresents the

manufacturers of new steel drums in North America.

Our mission is to promote the use of steel drums and

represent our members before regulatory and legislative authorities.

Associate/Supplier Members International/Other Members

American Flange & Manufacturing Co., Inc. National Coatings, Inc. Ten-E Packaging Services, Inc.

CDF Corporation Nucor Steel

Con-Tech International REMY International S.A.

Grotnes, Inc. Rieke Packaging Systems, Inc.

Hentzen Coatings, Inc. Self Industries, Inc. (Berger)

KNS Companies, Inc. Universal Chemicals & Coatings, Inc.

Merco Machines NV U.S. Steel Corporation

The welded steel drum was invented in 1905 to replace leaky wooden oil barrels.

• A 55-gallon wooden barrel leaked in transport, netting about 42 gallons at final destination hence a barrel of oil is still 42 gallons.

• A 55-gallon drum is the most common size with greater than 26 million per year new drums produced.1

• Nine Major North American producers.

1Industrial Steel Drum Institute 2020

MOST COMMON NEW DRUM

In 1905, Welded Steel Drums Replace Leaky Wooden Oil Barrels

• 55-gallon wooden barrels leaked in

transport, netting 42 gallons – hence a

barrel of oil remains 42 gallons

• 55-gallon drum most common – >29 million

produced annually1

• Currently nine North American producers

12016 Figures, ISDI

Nellie Bly

Components of a Steel Drum

METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 1• Steel drums are made from cold

rolled steel sheet or coils, cut to length and width to make the body of the drum.

• Thickness of the steel for 55-gallon drums can range from a low of 0.7mm to 1.4mm. Smaller drums 15-30 gallon steel thickness range for 0.5mm – 0.7mm.

• Tops and bottoms are either cut from coils or purchased disks

• Thickness of tops and bottoms range from 0.7mm to 1.4mm for 55-gallon size and 0.5mm to 0.6mm for smaller sizes.

Steel Drum Manufacturing Process Schematic

Steel Drum Manufacturing Process Schematic

Steel Drum Manufacturing Process Schematic

The steel body is formed into a tube and the seam is welded.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 2

The next critical step is adding the rolling hoops.

• Rolling hoops provide vacuum resistance.

• Rolling hoops protect the labels during transport.

• Rolling hoops can be standard, “W” configuration or corrugated with several hoops on the top and bottom thirds of the drum.

ROLLING

HOOPS

ROLLING HOOPS

+ CORRUGATIONS

W-HOOPS

W-HOOPS

+ CORRUGATIONS

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 2 (CONTINUED)

VARIOUS ROLLING HOOP STYLES

Standard Bead W Bead W Bead with Corrugations

The tops are cut, washed if necessary.

Holes are cut for flanges, flanges installed.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 2 (CONTINUED)

• Inside surfaces are lined, if required, with rust inhibitor and/or various coatings depending upon ladings. Linings are baked on.

• Tops and bottoms are seamed on and sealed mechanically – it looks like a drum at this point.o A leakproofness test may be conducted at this point.

o Illustration of triple seam. Drum Body

Drum Bottom Sealing Compound

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 3

OVERVIEW STEEL DRUM

Top externally painted

Body Externally painted

Bottom externally painted

Inkjet marking

3/4” bung withcapseal fitted

200l200l

Logo/information(top screen print or labeling)

Logo (body screen print or labeling)

Top seam withcompound

• Next, the drum is painted using industry standard colors or customer-specific colors. The paint is baked onto the steel drum.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 3 (CONTINUED)

• Plugs are added and a final leakproofness test is done.• The drums are either loaded onto the truck or, in some cases,

silk screened with customer specific decorations.• Steel drums are made to order. Very little, if any, inventory is

kept. Most steel plants operate at hundreds of drums per hour and may have more than 1000 SKUs for their customer base.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 3 (CONTINUED)

Styles of Plugs

Steel Plugs Fusible Plastic Plugs

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – STEP 3 (CONTINUED)

CAP SEALS FOR TAMPERPROOFNESS

Composite type drums are steel shell with a plastic bottle or liner. Drums are marked UN 6HA1.

• Drum shell made using same method Plastic bottle or liner is inserted into the shell.

• Steel head is seamed in place.

• Drum may be silk screened.

• Composites are generally used for very hazardous chemicals or ultra clean chemicals.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS – COMPOSITE DRUMS

How Its Made Discovery Channel

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct2F_wN582w

TYPICAL STEEL GAUGES

STEEL THICKNESS DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT

• Drums are specified by steel thickness and UN rating, as required.

o A typical specification is: 1.1-1.0-1.1

• This indicates a 1.1mm top head; 1.0mm body; and 1.1mm bottom head.

• The industry shorthand for this is 11-10-11.

• The body can be thinner than the top, but normally not more than 0.3mm such as 12-9-12.

• Customers should purchase drums fit for use based on the properties of the product to be packaged.

Every Drum Used for Hazardous Goods Must Be UN Marked

• Applies to steel, plastic and fiber drums

• Leak tests must be done on every liquid rated drum at 20 kPa for PG II (Y) and PGIII (Z), and 30 kPa for PGI (X)

Every Drum Used for Hazardous Goods Must Be UN Marked

• Performance Oriented Packaging tests must be repeated at least annually (most manufacturers do some every day)

– Drop test: height determined by PG and specific gravity of ladings authorized

– Leakproofness: 5 minutes at 20 or 30 kPa

– Hydrostatic pressure: determined by vapor pressure of lading

– Stacking: either three high to rated weight or dynamic compression

– Vibration: not required, a capability test

• FMC Rule 256 Tip over test on open head drums

UN Marking

Part 171.8: Definitions -

Packing group means a grouping according to the degree of danger presented

by hazardous materials.

Packing Group I indicates great danger

• Drum mark X;

Packing Group II, medium danger

• Drum mark Y;

Packing Group III, minor danger

• Drum mark Z.

See 49 CFR §172.101(f)

UN Marking

Part 171.8: Definitions -

Marking means a descriptive name, identification number, instructions,

cautions, weight, specification, or UN marks, or combinations thereof, required

by this subchapter on outer packagings of hazardous materials.

U

n1A1 / Y1.9 / 100 / 18/ USA / M-4601

Steel Tighthead drum marking

A list of M (manufacturer) numbers can be found at http://hazmat.dot.gov/

UN Marking

Definitions - An open-head or removable head drum

• Any drum with a closure > 70 mm or ~ 3 inches in diameter.

• The “S” in the mark signifies that it is either a “solid” rated drum

or there is an inner packaging.

U

n 1A2 / X225/S / 18/ USA / M-4601

Steel Open-head drum marking

Steel drums filled with flammable and combustible liquids can be safety stacked four high and even higher with nonhazardous materials where allowed by local authorities.1

Safely Stacking Steel Drums

The embossed U.N. mark on a drum demonstrates that is has passed rigorous performance testing, meets international standards and is properly rated for many materials.1

The Importance of the U.N. Mark

Steel drums can carry the broadest range of products, including, high-hazard or PG1 materials.1

Steel Drums Carry the Broadest Range of Products

Steel drums perform very well in extreme temperature, humidity and pressure variations.1

Steel Drums Withstand Extreme Conditions

Optimum Protection Even in a High-Temperature Fire

Paired with a proper fire-suppression system, relieving-style steel drums provide optimum protection even in a high-temperature fire.1

Many municipal fire codes allow steel drums for short-term storage of flammable liquids.1

Steel Drums and Storage of Flammable Liquids

NFPA 30 Flammable Liquids Code Storage Limits

NFPA Code 30

• It is law in at least 34 States

• A Fire District can Codify NFPA 30 even if the state does not

• It is designed to protect lives and property and the environment

• Classifications are not the same as the UN/DOT Classifications for flammable and combustible materials

– UN Classifies Class 3 into 3 packing groups

– DOT Adds a fourth NA 1993 Combustible liquid n.o.s.

– NFPA 30 has Six Classes

• IA, IB, IC

• II

• IIIA, IIIB

• Also addresses required sprinkler systems

• NFPA 30 is not uniformly enforced if at all

There is a disconnect between UN/DOT and NFPA—Transport vs Storage

NFPA Classification Flash Point (degrees C) Boiling Point (degrees C)

IA <22.8 <37.8

IB <22.8 >37.8

IC >22.8 <37.8

II >37.8 fp < 60 >37.8

IIIA >60 fp <93 >37.8

IIIB >93 >37.8

DOT Packing Group (49CFR 173.121)

I <23 <35

II <23 >35

III >23 fp <60 >35

Antstatic and NFPA Compliant IBCs4/8/2021

The Importance of Fusible Plugs

Video Links

• Gasoline Explosion:

• https://youtu.be/pwS6Bq3ruWA

• Hot Work:

• https://youtu.be/9DP5l9yYt-g

• Fire Performance of IBCs…”Introduction” shows exploding and

rocketing steel drums from IBC fires setting fire to neighboring

property.

• http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr564/index.htm

Compatibility

• The responsibility of determining the suitability and compatibility of a

packaging or IBC rests on the filler and shipper.

• A steel drum may be

– Unlined

– Rust inhibited, sometimes called size coat

– Phenolic coating lined

– Epoxy phenolic coating lined

– Custom formulated lining

• Which one to use is determined by the chemical

• Lining suppliers’ recommendations, drum manufacturers and

experience all play a part in the selection

Drums are NOT Storage Vessels; Lining Suppliers Recommend 1 Year Shelf Life

• Linings are insulators; they do not conduct static electricity.

• Steel drums must be grounded and bonded, if filling flammable and explosives where this is a risk of static discharge

UnlinedOils, solvents, hydrocarbons Must be filled as soon as made to keep from rusting.

Rust Inhibited (Clear)Basically unlined drums with a thin film of phenolic rust inhibitor. RI can impact compatibility.

Phenolic Linings (Olive, Red)Solvents, Low pH chemicals, foods, pesticides. Lining can be brittleNo aqueous chemicals, No high pH/alkaline chemicals.

Epoxy Phenolic Linings (Buff)Weaker solvents, high pH (<10 or so) chemicals, aqueous materials. Higher lining flexibility.No strong acids.

LOAD SECUREMENT

Load Securing U.S. DOT Modal Requirements

For Rail Reference 49CFR§174.55

(a) Each package containing a hazardous material being transported

by rail in a freight container or transport vehicle must be loaded so

that it cannot fail or slide and must be safeguarded in such a

manner that other freight cannot fall onto or slide into it under

conditions normally incident to transportation. When this protection

cannot be provided by using other freight, it must be provided by

blocking and bracing.

Each mode—Highway, Air, Vessel have similar requirements

UN Model regulations require load securement hence so does every

country

Regulations specify which chemicals can’t be shipped together and

which need physical segregation

North American Cargo Securement Standard – MODEL REGULATION

U.S. - FMCSA 49 CFR Parts 392 AND 393 SAFETY

REGULATIONS (393.106 – General Requirements For

Securing Articles Of Cargo)

CANADA – NATIONAL SAFETY CODE STANDARD 10

(JUN 2013)

UP is a direction

Most damage in transport is either from mishandling –

creative towmotor and forklift operators

Not securing the load against vertical forces

Poor stacking

U.S. - Performance Criteria 393.102 (a)Canada - Part 1 Division 2 – 5(1)

The cargo securement system shall be capable of withstanding the

forces that result if the vehicle is subjected to each of the following

accelerations

• (i) 0.8g deceleration in a forward direction

• (ii) 0.5g acceleration in a rearward direction

• (iii) 0.5g acceleration in either sideways direction

• (b) 0.2g downward force equivalent to a least 20% of the weight of

the article of cargo if the article is not fully contained within the

structure of the vehicle

No Vertical Load Securement

Note that the integral or welded in valves have been totally broken off and contents emptied. Product was a Class 8, PGII corrosive

Unsecured drums

Point Loading can Fatigue Drums and Cause Leaks and Stack Failures

• Improper stacking can multiply the force on the bottom drums by 4-5 times

the actual.

Shock Data # 3686

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52 55 58 61 64 67 70 73 76 79 82 85 88 91 94 97

Event

G

side-side

up-dow n

front-back

Day 42-endDay 2-9

Triaxial Shock Recorders

Proper Blocking and Bracing of Steel Drums

• Secured freight is critical when shipping steel drums.

• Correct blocking, bracing, loading:o ensure freight arrives in same condition as it was

shipped; ando help to avoid delays, rework costs due to your

load being rejected or “set out” while in transit.

Photo courtesy of Ty-Gard

Proper Blocking and Bracing of Steel Drums

Graphic courtesy of Ty-Gard

Questions?

For more information:

www.whysteeldrums.org

STEEL DRUMS 101PREPARED AND PRESENTED BY THE INDUSTRIAL STEEL DRUM INSTITUTE