Tag: AAR approved

System Strength of Synthetic Cord Strap

Posted on by teamA-GG

When trying to determine the proper strength of synthetic cord strap needed in your load plan there are two types of measurements commonly referred to – Break Strength and System Strength – but what do these mean? Below are descriptions of each of these terms and why they are just some of the important terms to know when trying to decide which type of synthetic cord strap you need to secure your cargo.

Break Strength (also referred to as Tensile Strength):  The Break Strength of synthetic cord strap is the amount of force (commonly measured in pounds or dekanewtons) that a piece of strap can withstand before breaking and/or splitting. The Break Strength of strap is used to determine the strength of the synthetic cord strap alone, without the addition of a buckle (i.e. Joint Efficiency).

Joint Efficiency: Joint Efficiency is a percentage of the strap strength with the incorporation of a wire buckle or ladder buckle. The Joint Efficiency is critical when trying to calculate the System Strength.

System Strength: System Strength is the force (commonly measured in pounds or dekanewtons) required to break a unit of strap. This consists of one loop of strap and one buckle used to connect the ends of the strap, forming a “belt loop”. The System Strength can be found by multiplying two times the Break Strength of the strap by the Joint Efficiency of the buckle (Ex. System Strength = (Break Strength x 2) x Joint Efficiency).

Below is a diagram of the different types of measurements being tested.

When trying to obtain the proper System Strength of your strap, it is important that the same strap and compliant buckle combo are being used that was originally tested to achieve the AAR approval. Using an unapproved strap and buckle combination can lead to a different System Strength and cause your load to be non-compliant. The approved strap and their corresponding buckle can be found on the AAR’s website in Table 19.2 of the AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules. The list of AAR approved strap for doorway protection can be found in the AAR’s publication “Nonmetallic Strap Substitution for Steel Strap as Doorway Protection in Boxcars”.

Please note, not all the factors that need to be considered when choosing a strap for your load plan were mentioned in this blog. Understanding Break Strength, Joint Efficiency and System Strength will provide you with a good start on your search for your cargo strap. For more information about the strength of synthetic cord strapping and the corresponding buckles, speak to one of our knowledgeable technical sales and services representatives by calling us toll free at 866-858-8800.

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PSI Levels for Dunnage Bags

Posted on by teamA-GG

Dunnage bags are a versatile and easy way to fill voids in load plans, but there are user recommendations for dunnage bags the operator should follow. In this blog, we will describe the importance of filling your dunnage bags to the recommended PSI level in order to use the dunnage bag safely and obtain the optimal performance of the bag. This blog will also explain the consequences of not following the PSI level recommendations and provide some easy tips to help you get the proper PSI level when filling your dunnage bags.

What is the PSI Level of dunnage bags and where can it be found?

The dunnage bag PSI level is the measurement of air pressure within the bag measured in Pounds per Square Inch. When you fill the dunnage bag with air, the air pressure will build inside the dunnage bag, reading as the PSI. In Europe, they use the pressure measurement of kPa (kilopascals) to measure the pressure within dunnage bags. One kilopascal is equal to 0.145038 PSI. Each type of dunnage bag will have a different recommended PSI or “fill” level. The recommended PSI level should be printed on the bag itself. On our CYCLONE dunnage bags, the PSI level is printed on the front of each bag in a text box filled with user recommendations. To the right is an image depicting the user recommendations on our CYCLONE dunnage bags with the recommendations outlined in red for reference.

Consequences of not following the dunnage bag recommendations:

Filling your dunnage bag to the recommended PSI level allows for the optimal function of the bag during transit. Under filling a dunnage bag can lead to unwanted product movement as the bag will not tightly fill up the void, leaving room/spaces for your product to move into during transit. If you overfill a dunnage bag this can cause the bag to pop and/or split especially if there is a large amount of pressure applied to the bag. If the bag pops during transit then the void the bag was filling will open, allowing room for your product to move and possibly become damaged during transit. If a dunnage bag pops while an operator is handling the bag, this can cause harm to the operator. Although dunnage bags are easy to use, everything has a breaking point when used incorrectly. Following the guidelines for filling dunnage bags will lead to the best outcome of the dunnage during transit.

Tips for obtaining the proper PSI level in dunnage bags:

  • The dunnage bag should be filled using an approved inflator for your dunnage bag and the bag’s specific valve design.
  • Your dunnage bags should be cared for and stored according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Use a digital or manual air gauge to check the PSI fill to ensure you have reached the optimal PSI reading.
  • The AAR recommends rechecking the air pressure in all dunnage bags 30 minutes after the initial inflation.
  • Use clean and dry air to fill the dunnage bags.

 

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Safety Warning! Make Sure You Know If Your Dunnage Bags are AAR Approved

Posted on by teamA-GG

Are your dunnage bags up-to-date with their AAR safety verification? If not, you are assuming significant risk, in the form of personal and public safety, damage, and the associated costs.

Many options are available for dunnage air bags. You may simply look for the best price or a local supplier who will provide easier access. However, you must not overlook whether the dunnage bags are approved for use on railways by the Association of American Railroads.

The Product Performance Profile for Pneumatic Dunnage (PPPPD) General Information Bulletin No. 9, approved by the damage prevention and freight claim committee of the AAR, explains the guidelines for dunnage bag approval. Developed with input from manufacturers, this document provides the acceptable confidence level for use of dunnage bags for shippers, vendors, and transportation carriers.

 Click here to download the PPPPD General Information Bulletin No. 9. 

Beyond outlining the performance requirements for approval, the document details the re-verification requirements and procedures for after test failures. Today, we must concern ourselves with the re-verification requirements; we encourage rail shippers to periodically check the AAR website to verify the bags they are using are compliant.

According to the document:

“All pneumatic dunnage that has successfully completed testing, as outlined in this document, will require Association of American Railroads re-verification every three years. … Failure to re-verify will result in revocation of existing verification.” *emphasis added.

This means any manufacturer that does not have their product re-verified after three years is no longer AAR approved, and their dunnage bags could potentially suffer from product deficiencies.

Finding out which products are still AAR approved is a relatively straightforward process. The AAR provides a PPPPD Product Verification List, which lists manufacturers, the level of verification, and – most importantly – the date of verification.

If the date of verification is over three years ago, that product is no longer approved. It has not been re-verified. On today’s date of April 25, 2014, anything from before April 25, 2011 is now outdated.

You will note, for example, the first outdated item on the list: Cargo Perfect Co., Ltd. Level 1, which has a verification date of January 13, 2011. There are many others on the list.

We encourage you to investigate this list for yourself, to ensure that you are not using unapproved and potentially unsafe products.

 Click here to download the PPPPD Product Verification List.


>> All Complete Packaging dunnage air bags are currently AAR approved and verified. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please don’t hesitate to contact us immediately.

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