ASTM_D_7386_-_12.pdf

Designation:D738612Standard Practice forPerformance Testing of Packages for Single Parcel DeliverySystems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7386;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating,ina laboratory,the ability of shipping units,weighing up to butnot exceeding 150 lb(68 kg),intended for the single parceldelivery system to withstand the hazards associated with thedistribution environment.This is accomplished by subjectingthem to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipatedhazard elements encountered in the distribution cycles.Thispractice is not intended to supplant material specifications orexisting pre-shipment test procedures.1.2 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardousmaterials has not been determined.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific precau-tionary statements are given in 1.1.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-tainers by Spray MethodD996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers,Packages,orPackaging Components for TestingD5265 Test Method for Bridge Impact TestingD5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Contain-ers by Shock MachinesD6179 Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loadsand Large Shipping Cases and CratesD6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to TransportPackagesD6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of HighAltitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsGeneral definitions for the packaging anddistribution environments are found in Terminology D996.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 acceptance criteriathe acceptable quality level thatmust be met after the shipping unit has been subjected to thetest plan.See Section 7.3.2.2 assurance levelthe level of test intensity based on itsprobability of occurring in a typical shipment.3.2.3 hazard elementa specific event that occurs in ashipment that may pose a hazard to a shipping unit.Theelement will usually be simulated by a single test schedule.SeeSection 9.3.2.4 shipping unitthe smallest complete unit that will besubjected to the distribution environment,for example,ashipping container and its contents.3.2.5 single parcel delivery systemdistribution carrier thattransports packages weighing up to 150 lb through groundand/or air transport systems.3.2.6 test plana specific listing of the test sequence to befollowed to simulate the hazards anticipated during the distri-bution cycle of a shipping unit.Included will be the testintensity and number of sequential tests to be conducted.See8.1.3.2.7 test schedulethe specific procedure to be used,including the three assurance level intensities(if applicable),and a reference to the test method that is the basis of theschedule.3.2.8 unitizing baga bag made of a poly material,mea-suring approximately 39 by 27 in.(991 by 686 mm),used tocontain and transport several small sized packages and enve-lopes.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packagingand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers andSystems-Application of Performance Test Methods.Current edition approved April 1,2012.Published May 2012.Originallyapproved in 2008.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D7386 08.DOI:10.1520/D7386-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.Significance and Use4.1 This practice provides a guide for the evaluation ofshipping units in accordance with a uniform system,usingestablished test methods at levels representative of thoseoccurring in actual distribution.The recommended test levelsare based on available information on the shipping andhandling environment,and current industry/government prac-tice and experience.The tests should be performed sequentiallyon the same containers in the order given.For use as aperformance test,this practice requires that the ship