Life is risky, but that doesn’t mean your packing solutions need to be.
In industrial settings, your choice of plastic pallet impacts not only your operations, but also your operations’ safety.
In today’s piece we examine FM approved pallets; these pallets are not only safe but can also act as key helpers within your daily operations. These pallets have numerous benefits and applications in different industries. We will unpack these benefits and potential applications in today’s article. We will cap off our discussion with a handy guide on how to choose the right FM approved pallets for your organization and how to verify their authenticity.
To start, what does FM approval mean and why is it important?
Understanding FM Approval
FM approval refers to certification issued, confirming that a plastic pallet meets the strict testing standards of performance, safety and reliability set by FM Global. FM Global, now known as FM, is a leading provider of commercial property insurance that helps protect businesses against risk. Their approval is widely revered in the industry and signifies that the product has passed rigorous fire and safety tests.
The criteria for FM approval of plastic pallets are set out in FM 4996. The approval requirements are aimed at determining if plastic pallets perform equal to (or better) than conventional wood pallets specifically in reference to heat release and fire extinguishing.
Testing the fire resistance of pallets involves placing a sample of the pallet in a calorimeter. A calorimeter is an instrument that measures the amount of heat released during combustion. The measured heat is then compared to established safety thresholds. After this, the quantities of water required to suppress and extinguish the fire are measured.
To be in accordance with FM standards and regulations, the fire must be controlled when a water application density of 5.9 mm/min is applied within 10 minutes of the test time frame. For those of us not in the fire-testing sphere, this simply means that the pallet can be effectively extinguished using water within a short period. This ensures that the pallet does not contribute significantly to the spread of fire and is extinguishable.
At this stage the importance of being FM approved speaks for itself. FM approved pallets are a safer option than plastic pallets that have not been tested, which can be highly flammable and difficult to extinguish. The benefits associated with this fire resistance are multiple and below we discuss them in detail.
Benefits of FM Approved Pallets
Using FM approved pallets provides various benefits to an organization. These benefits range from better safety and compliance to a significant reduction concerning the risk of accelerated fires.
Let’s dive in a bit deeper:
Fire Resistance
FM approved pallets are certified to be equally or less combustible than wooden pallets. These characteristics significantly reduce the risk of severe fire incidents and include:
- Low Heat Release Rate: These pallets are tested to ensure that they release minimal heat during combustion. This helps reduce the intensity of fires and stops them from spreading rapidly.
- Minimal Smoke Production: These pallets are certified to produce minimal smoke in the case of combustion. This reduces the risk of smoke inhalation, which can cause respiratory problems like struggling to breathe or long-term health effects like chronic asthma. Minimal smoke production also means better visibility in fire incidents, allowing firefighting personnel to better manage any fires.
Implementing these pallets in your operation also means that your overall fire protection strategies can be better optimized. The lower risk of severe fire results in you requiring minimal fire suppression. This means you only need to cater for fires that are equivalent to those of wooden pallets. Not needing more intense fire fighting equipment also helps save on costs, a benefit we’ll touch upon in the following section.
Safety and Compliance:
The use of FM approved pallets inherently means a safer operation. This reduced risk assists companies in better adhering to regulatory requirements, like those set by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and local fire codes.
Implementing these pallets in an operation also allows companies to gain favorable terms from insurance providers. These favorable terms typically culminate in reduced insurance premiums, adding monetary benefits to the list of why you need to implement these pallets.
For more information on implementing FM approved pallets, visit our FM approved pallet page.
Applications in Different Industries
The inherent characteristics of FM approved pallets, such as a high resistance to flammability and their benefits such as low smoke production and heat release, make them a standout choice in most industries. Let’s dive into some of these industries by exploring the applications of these pallets in the manufacturing, logistics and food and beverage industries.
Manufacturing:
In manufacturing industries, FM approved pallets are an ideal choice owing to their fire-resistant properties and the durable design associated with their plastic nature. These pallets ensure a safer operation and mitigate risks associated with severe fire hazards, which can be a significant concern in manufacturing environments where flammable materials and equipment are often present. FM approved pallets are also more cost-effective than their wooden counterparts in the long-run thanks to their plastic nature. Plastic has shown to be more durable than wood. It is less likely to break down on repeated trips and requires less maintenance. These pallets are also ideal for carrying heavy cargo during shipping and being moved around via forklift in a warehouse.
Logistics:
The lighter weight associated with plastic pallets make them a great choice for logistics companies. They tend to be lighter than wooden units and this typically leads to lower freight rates. These lower freight rates are applicable whether you are transporting goods by road, sea or air. FM approved pallets are also safer than wood pallets as they do not have weak spots at select points, like wooden pallets do. This is accredited to the way these pallets are manufactured. Plastic pallets are typically constructed in one solid piece. The uniform construction results in the pallet as a whole having equal strength. This uniform construction results in a lower risk of these pallets failing under a heavy load. Additionally, the cost of travel insurance is also lessened due to the lower flammability of FM approved pallets.
Food and Beverage:
FM approved pallets are ideal to use in the food and beverage industry. This is due to their plastic nature that’s hygienic and easy to clean – a must in industries that demand highly hygienic conditions. Plastic pallets do not absorb moisture or experience the common issues associated with wooden pallets such as absorbing odors, rotting or infestations. They also provide fire safety, ensuring your produce ends up on a shelf and not as a smoldering pile of ash.
If you are looking for a long-lasting, light-weight and hygienic solution to your packaging needs, reach out to one of our experts.
Choosing the Right FM Approved Pallets
When choosing FM approved pallets, there are various factors to take into account. These factors include the pallets’ load-bearing capacities, environmental conditions and specific industry requirements.
The load-bearing capacity should be selected to allow the pallet to carry the intended load of the products. This ensures that the pallets do not break under load and result in any incidents.
The environment in which the pallet will be used should also be considered. Factors like temperature fluctuation, moisture and exposure to chemicals all play a role in selecting the correct pallet. As an example, if the pallets are to be used in a chemical manufacturing facility, they should be able to withstand exposure to various chemicals such as acids and solvents. Flame resistance should also be a critical consideration to ensure safety in high-risk environments.
Finally, one must bear in mind the specific industry requirements which can include size, shape and hygiene standards. As an example, in the pharmaceutical industry pallets must meet stringent hygiene and contamination control standards. Ensure your pallet complies with any industry-specific applications.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a FM approved pallet is to ensure that the pallet is indeed FM approved. For this, FM has a handy approval guide that lists tens of thousands of products and services that have been tested and approved. This approval guide also provides essential engineering data, technical information and the intended use of the listed products.
Some applications require a more customized plastic pallet solution, in cases like these, be sure to reach out to Polymer Solutions International, Inc. and let us assist you in creating the ideal solution for your needs.
No order is too small and no requirement is too difficult. Have a look at our custom plastic pallet solutions and let us help you fulfill your needs.
As detailed earlier, it is clear to see that if you are not already investing in FM approved pallets, it is time to do something about it.
Implementing these pallets within your operations helps ensure a lower risk of fire related incidents. What’s more, plastic pallets are more durable, cost-effective and safer than traditional wooden pallets.
Contact Polymer Solutions International, Inc. today and get started implementing FM approved pallets at your operation.
