The First 40 FT Freight Container in Europe Qualified as an IP-2/IP-3 and Type a Package

Abstract

AbstractThe first successful free fall drop test with a 40 ft ISO freight container in Europe (as far as we know also in the world) took place in Bremen (Germany) at the dry dock of the former Vulkan ship yard on 25 September 1998. This drop test was performed to qualify the ISO Boxcontainer as an IP-2/IP-3 and Type A package in accordance with IAEA Regulations Safety Series No 6 (1985 edition, as amended 1990) and the new IAEA Safety Standards Series No ST-1 (1996 Edition). The freight container has successfully passed the whole sequence of required tests to demonstrate compliance with Type A requirements (free drop test, stacking test, penetration test and, instead of the water spray test, the more stringent pressure and bubble test was performed) of the IAEA Regulations. This paper concentrates on the free fall drop test because this is the most difficult of the required Type A tests which needs to be passed. Further, the free fall drop test is required to qualify a freight container in accordance with...