The maximum capacity that FIBC containers can safely transport is provided by the safe working load. SWL is usually shown in pounds, and in order to prevent accidents and damage, this limit must be followed. To get to SWL, every FIBC bags manufacturer in India designs and manufactures FIBC bags with a variety of factors in mind. Since FIBC bulk bags are known across the world for carrying and transporting heavy loads, it is extremely important that the safe working load is calculated correctly to avoid injuries and accidents. We will discuss more about SWL and Safety Factor (SF) in this article.
The Importance of SWL in FIBC Bags
Working with FIBC bulk bags is made more secure by Safe Working Load. Workers may handle them with greater confidence because they are properly constructed to sustain specified weights, eliminating the possibility of injuries or even worse. Knowing SWL not only increases job safety but also keeps bags from rupturing or tearing, which stops spills, waste, and losses. You can safeguard machinery by following safe working load guidelines.
Hoists and other lifting apparatus may experience stress if bulk bags are loaded above their SWL. This may occasionally result in the equipment failing entirely. In addition to being costly to fix, this causes costly downtime as your business stalls.
Calculation Of SWL for FIBC Bulk Bags
Several tests must be conducted in order to determine the safe operating load of FIBCs. These tests need to adhere to strict industry standards in order to ensure the SWL of a FIBC. The Top Lift Test is a crucial component of the FIBC bag calculation for SWL. This test evaluates the integrity of components like lifting straps in addition to a bag’s general strength and composition. An FIBC can ultimately acquire a safe operating load rating after this testing is finished.
You’ll need a few metrics to finish the calculation in order to determine the precise safe working load of a FIBC bag. You must first determine the bulk bag’s total volume which is usually shown in cubic feet. The density per square foot of the substance you want to transport or store in a FIBC is also important to know. The safe working load of a FIBC is then calculated by multiplying these two figures together.
Understanding Safety Factor (SF) in FIBC bags
When determining a safe working load, you also need to take the Safety Factor (SF) into account. One of the two safety factors shown in ratio form 5:1 or 6:1 will be present in FIBCs. A bulk bag must be able to hold five times its safe working load before rupture in order to achieve a 5:1 safety factor.
The optimum use cases for 5:1 FIBCs are lighter, one-time use applications. In contrast, during testing, 6:1 FIBCs must be able to tolerate pressures six times greater than their SWL. They are reusable, in contrast to 5:1 bags. Before being utilized again, they must be thoroughly examined for indications of wear and tear.
Common mistakes while calculating SWL
There are many considerations to make before you can determine the safe working load of a bulk bag, even if calculating the SWL for FIBC bags may seem simple enough. Some of the most frequent errors people make while calculating SWL are listed below.
Overestimating the Bag’s Capacity
It may seem obvious, but while determining a safe working load, it’s crucial to avoid overestimating a FIBC’s capability. It is essential that you adhere to the capacity limits specified in all FIBCs when calculating SWL prior to filling them.
Failure to Account for Dynamic Loads
Dynamic loads, sometimes referred to as live loads by FIBC bags suppliers, cause a wide range of forces to be applied to a FIBC. Static loads simplify SWL calculations, but dynamic loads might make things more difficult. The bulk bag load rating must be strictly adhered to when calculating dynamic loads in order to prevent material degradation and worker injuries.
