What are the different types of FIBC bags?

There are four main types of FIBC bags. A, B, C, and D. When FIBCs are filled and discharged, it is possible for the movement of the contents to have a build-up of static electricity. Stopping this electrical charge from increasing is crucial if you are dealing with flammable and combustible materials. Other materials may not have issues with flammability.

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1    01. Type A FIBC Bags (no electrostatic protection)

Type A FIBCs provide no static protection. Made of woven polypropylene (woven pp), static electricity is generated as materials rub against the inside surface of the bag as they are filled and emptied. Since there is no static protection provided by Type A bags, it is essential that they are not used to store or transport combustible materials, or used in flammable or combustible environments.

Primary Uses for Type A FIBCs:

• Non-hazardous materials.
• Locations with non-hazardous conditions.

Do NOT use for:

• When transporting flammable or hazardous materials.
• When flammable materials or gases are present in your location.
• When a flammable atmosphere with minimum ignition energy less than 1,000mJ is present.

02. Type B FIBC Bags (Surface breakdown voltage of <6kV)

ike Type A bulk bags, Type B bulk bags do not have any mechanism for dissipating static electricity. The difference is that Type B bulk bags are made from materials that have a low breakdown voltage to prevent the occurrence of highly energetic, and dangerous propagating brush discharges (PBD). Although Type B FIBCs can prevent PBD, they cannot be considered antistatic FIBC because they do not dissipate electrostatic charge. Normal brush discharges can still occur, which can ignite flammable solvent vapours.

Primary Uses of Type B FIBCs:

• Transporting dry, flammable powders
• Where no flammable solvents or gases are present.
• Environments with dust with ignition energies less than 3mJ.

Do NOT use for:

• When transporting flammable or hazardous materials.

            03. Type C FIBC Bags (Electrically conductive or groundable)

Are also known as conductive or groundable FIBC. Originally they were made from entirely conductive materials. Groundable Type C FIBCs are more commonly made from non-conductive polypropylene interwoven with conducting yarns, normally in a grid pattern. The interconnection of conductive yarns and the connection to ground or earth are critical to the safe use of Type C FIBC. As with any manual operation, ensuring interconnection and grounding of Type C FIBC is subject to human error.

Primary Uses for Type C conductive FIBCs:

• Transporting flammable powders.
• When flammable vapors, gases, or combustible dusts are present.

Do NOT use for:

• When ground connection is not present or has become damaged.
• Resistance from any location FIBC to ground-able point.
• When a flammable atmosphere with minimum ignition energy less than 1,000mJ is present.

04. Type D FIBC Bags (Chromic static dissipative or antistatic)

Anti static bulk bags are made from static protective fabric designed to safely prevent the occurrence of incendiary sparks, brush discharges and propagating brush discharges, without the need for a connection from the bulk bag to ground or earth. Using CROHMIQ fabric to construct anti-static bulk bags eliminates the inherent risk of grounding failure that is always present whenever conductive Type C FIBCs (grounded FIBCs) are used.

Primary Uses for Type D antistatic FIBCs:

• ·        Transporting flammable powders
• ·        When flammable vapors, gases, or combustible dusts are present.

Do NOT use blue Crohmiq bulk bags for:

• ·        When surface of FIBC is contaminated or coated with conductive material such as grease or other flammable and/or combustible materials.