Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC)

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) are used to transport hundreds of gallons (thousands of liters) of liquids from one location to other in a single container. Moving that much ignitable liquid can be difficult, but with the advent of non-metallic IBCs, the risk of a fire involving multiple IBCs has significantly increased. IBCs that are certified by FM Approvals mitigate the risk of multiple IBCs being involved in a fire.

FM Approvals tests and certifies IBCs with a capacities of 275 gallons (1000 L) or 330 gallons (1250 L). For FM Approvals certification, the IBC is subjected to a large scale fire which includes eight IBCs filled with ignitable mineral oil in a scenario that replicates the discharging of all the liquid from one IBC to investigate if that spill and subsequent fire will cause the adjacent IBCs to rupture and burn.