ASTM D1185-98a

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact
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Designation: D 1185 – 98a
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Methods for
Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials
1
Handling and Shipping
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1185; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.4.1 General-Purpose Pallets—When the objective of the
test is to determine the safe working load or to classify a
1.1 These test methods cover the performance of pallets and
general-purpose pallet as a single- or multiple-use pallet, all
related structures, functioning as skids, bases, platforms, and
tests described in these test methods shall be performed in the
bins in materials handling and shipping. Their use facilitates
order specified. The same pallet shall be used for all static and
the protection of both packaged and unpackaged products
dynamic tests, where feasible.
during storage and transportation. The test methods include
1.4.2 Special-Purpose Pallets—When the objective of the
measurements of the relative resistance of pallets and related
test is to determine the safe working load or to classify a
structures to deformations, damages, and structural failures
special-purpose pallet, as a single- or multiple-use pallet, only
which detrimentally affect the functionality of the unit load.
those tests representing the intended condition of use shall be
1.2 These test methods include conditioning requirements,
performed. Certain special–purpose pallet designs, because of
static stiffness and strength tests, and dynamic tests of struc-
the pallet size, its shape, or the material of fabrication, or
tural reliability. These test methods are used to evaluate the
combinations thereof, cannot be reliably tested using this
relative performance of new, used, or reconditioned general
methodology. When available, alternative test methods should
and special-purpose pallets fabricated from various materials
be used.
including solid wood, wood composites, fiberboard, honey-
1.4.3 Field Testing—It is recommended that pallet designs
comb, plastics, or metal, or to compare the performance of
passing these acceptance tests be further subjected to field
such pallets and related structures to specified performance
testing in the distribution environment.
criteria. Recommended criteria for all tests specified in this
1.5 Simulation of the Distribution Environment—These test
standard are listed in Appendix X2.
methods are not intended to lead to exact simulations of pallet
1.2.1 These test methods are also used to classify pallets as
performance in the distribution environment. These test meth-
single- or multiple-use pallets and to determine the safe
ods are designed to relate to practice with the added provision
working loads for pallets under specified load and support
that they are repeatable, do not depend on exceptional skills,
conditions.
and are safe to conduct without elaborate precautions. The test
1.3 Nonmandatory Preliminary Tests—Because each pallet
findings are not expected to lead to unalterable conclusions.
may be used under several different conditions of load and
Testing in the distribution environment may be necessary to
support, pallet-design considerations and safe working-load
verify the results obtained from laboratory tests.
estimates shall be based on that condition under which the
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pallet offers least resistance or is most severely stressed.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3.1 Preliminary, short-duration static tests up to the ulti-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mate (see 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4) shall be performed on previously
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
non-tested pallets to determine which load and support condi-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
tions influence most severely the pallet load-carrying capacity
tions are given in 9.5.3.5, Note 5.
and safe working loads.
1.3.2 During the development of prototypes leading to
2. Referenced Documents
designs that will be subject to acceptance testing, as described
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in 1.4, these preliminary tests shall include the free-fall drop
D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-
tests in accordance with 9.1.
tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit
1.4 Mandatory Acceptance Tests:
2
Loads
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
2
...