Usage Guidelines

I. Correct loop Attachment and Operation Methods

1.  Inspect loops and equipment: Before lifting, confirm loops are free from wear, tears, or aging. Check hooks, ropes, and other equipment are intact, ensuring their load capacity meets the FIBC payload requirements. If using a forklift, ensure fork tines are smooth and free of burrs to avoid puncturing the bag body.

2.  Loop attachment point selection: Hooks must be attached to the center point of the loops or lifting ropes to ensure even load distribution on both sides, preventing the FIBC from tilting or tipping. For multi-loop designs (e.g., four-loop slings), attach all slings simultaneously to avoid unilateral loading.

3.  Lifting and securing the load: During lifting, slowly raise the FIBC to approximately 40 cm off the ground. Confirm stability before continuing to elevate. When lowering the load, maintain the FIBC body approximately 40 cm above the ground or bin floor. Lower slowly only after stability is confirmed.

4.  Transport and stacking: Utilize pallets for transport where possible to avoid direct hook attachment and swinging during movement. When stacking, position FIBCs upright with spouts facing upwards, avoiding crushing or inversion.

II. Prohibited Operations and Key Considerations

1.  Slanted lifting or unilateral lifting is strictly prohibited: Do not lift at an angle, lift from one side only, or attach only some slings. This causes the FIBC's center of gravity to shift, leading to cargo spillage or sling failure.

2.  Personnel standing in the lifting zone is strictly prohibited: During lifting operations, personnel are strictly forbidden from standing beneath the FIBC or within the surrounding danger zone to prevent injury from accidental falls or impacts.

3.  Avoid friction and collision: During operation, keep clear of sharp objects or rough surfaces to prevent loops from rubbing against or snagging other cargo, which could cause damage or breakage.

4.  Overloading and eccentric loading are strictly prohibited: Strictly adhere to the Maximum Safe Working Load (SWL) marked on the FIBC. Overloading can cause immediate sling failure. Simultaneously, avoid shifting cargo centers of gravity to prevent overloading individual loops.

5.  Rapid lifting/lowering or sudden stops are strictly prohibited: Quick starts, braking, or lifting/lowering generates shock loads (instantaneous forces potentially 2-3 times the rated load). Operate smoothly to avoid inertial forces damaging slings.

6.  Forklift operation prohibitions: When using a forklift, fork tines must not directly contact the bag body. Lift must be via pallets or a dedicated support frame to prevent puncturing the bag.

Long-term FIBC storage should prioritize indoor warehouses that are dry, shaded, and ventilated, with strict temperature/humidity control and standardized stacking. Outdoor long-term storage is prohibited. Temporary outdoor storage requires full sun, moisture, and damage protection, with evaluation of material aging impacts on load-bearing safety. Scientific storage management extends FIBC service life and prevents accidents/losses from improper storage.

● Priority Recommendation: Indoor Storage  

1. Environmental Requirements: Store in dry, ventilated areas. Warehouse humidity must be ≤60% to prevent condensation/dampness (causes sling mold and fabric strength loss). Avoid direct sunlight. Maintain stable temperatures; keep away from heat sources (e.g., boilers, heaters) and open flames to prevent fabric softening/embrittlement.  

2. Storage Methods:  

- Empty FIBCs: Fold flat and store on pallets/racks in layers. Stack height ≤3m (prevents deformation of bottom units).  

- Loaded FIBCs: Ensure contents are dry. Segregate by cargo type (e.g., chemicals/food isolation).  

- Moisture prevention: Use moisture barriers (wooden/plastic pallets ≥10cm above ground). Never place directly on soil.  

- Pre-storage: Wipe surface dust/stains off FIBCs to avoid chemical residue (e.g., acids/alkalis) corrosion.  

3. Regular Maintenance: Inspect every 3 months. Check slings for fading, embrittlement, or breaks; inspect bags for pests/rodent damage or abrasion. Discard if defects are found.

● Temporary Use Only: Outdoor Storage

1. Full Coverage Protection: Completely cover FIBCs with waterproof canvas/PE UV-resistant tarps (top + sides), secured by ropes to block rain/sunlight.  

2. Elevate for Drainage: Place FIBCs on concrete blocks/plastic pallets ≥30cm high to ensure ventilation and prevent water immersion.  

3. Avoid Hazard Zones: Keep away from drainage ditches, low-lying areas, chemical contamination zones, and high-traffic machinery areas to reduce physical/chemical damage risks.  

● Primary Risks of Outdoor Storage:  

1. Accelerated Material Aging:  

- PP/PET fabrics under direct sunlight show visible fading/fiber breaks within 1–3 months (UV degrades polymer chains, reducing strength by 30%–50%).  

- Indoor aging typically occurs over ≥2 years.  

- Large day-night temperature swings cause thermal expansion/contraction cycles, accelerating fiber fatigue. Below -10°C, fabric brittleness increases, risking cracks.  

2. Moisture & Corrosion Risks:  

- Prolonged rain may cause edge seepage, leading to cargo moisture damage (e.g., cement/fertilizer clumping) and mold at sling seams.  

- Acidic gases (e.g., SO₂/NOx in industrial areas) or ground chemicals mix with rainwater, forming corrosive liquids that erode FIBC fabric.  

3. Physical & Biological Damage:  

- FIBCs are vulnerable to scratches from branches/metal debris, or pecking/biting by birds/rodents.  

- Unsecured FIBCs in ≥6-level winds may topple, causing uneven sling stress and premature failure.  

4. Cargo Safety Risks:  

- For food/pharmaceutical FIBCs, uncontrolled outdoor temperature/humidity risks cargo spoilage. Pollutants (e.g., dust/insects) may adhere to bags, compromising hygiene standards.

Core Principle: Base decisions on manufacturer specifications, dynamically adjusting for liner properties, fabric-liner bond strength, cargo sensitivity, and actual loads. Mitigate liner-related risks via protective measures (e.g., interlayer sheets, reinforcement) to ensure both stacking safety and cargo integrity.  

1.Warehouse Space & Equipment Constraints:

- Consider ceiling height and manual operation limits.  

- Flat-roof warehouses: Maintain ≥50cm clearance to ceiling.  

- Sloped-roof warehouses: Stack height must not exceed roof beams.  

- Main aisle width: ≥1.2 meters to ensure fire sprinkler coverage and personnel access.  

● Cargo Characteristics Impact:

1.  Free-flowing granules (e.g., grain, fertilizer): Use bond stacking or stepped stacking, with each tier recessed 15cm inward for stability.  

2. Blocky/hard materials: Stack up to 4 tiers max, but verify structural strength of bottom FIBCs.  

3. Hazardous/fragile cargo: Typically single/double tier stacking; prioritize frame reinforcement structures.  

4.  Hygroscopic materials (e.g., cement, mineral powder):  

- Stack height ≤3 tiers.  

- Place bottom tier on **moisture barrier pallets**.  

- Avoid compaction during stacking.  

5.  Liquid chemicals (FIBC with inner liner):  

- Single-tier, flat placement only.  

- Stacking prohibited.  

- Maintain ≥1.5m clearance to prevent cross-contamination.  

● Packaging Type Differences:

1. Standard FIBC (PP fabric): Conventional stack height 3-4 tiers using column stacking or bond stacking.  

2. Static-control FIBC: Max 2 tiers; ≥1.2m clearance to prevent electrostatic accumulation.  

3. UV-coated FIBC: Outdoor stacking ≤4 tiers; ensure bottom FIBC structural strength; use support frames if needed.  

4. PE-liner FIBC: Similar tier limits as standard FIBC (typically ≤3 tiers), but monitor liner-to-fabric bond strength. Reduce by 1 tier in humid environments.  

5. Aluminum-foil-liner FIBC: Strictly ≤2 tiers due to foil brittleness; use smooth interlayer separators to avoid crushing.