Reply To: Need a UN approved IBC tank for coolant storage

[Bella Barnes]

The UN markings confused me too when I first started dealing with bulk fluid storage but once someone broke it down for me it became much simpler. The number after UN just identifies the packaging type, what you actually need to pay attention to is the specific gravity and hydrostatic pressure rating printed on the plate because those tell you whether the tank can handle the weight and internal pressure of your coolant at operating temperature. For used coolant which is generally classified as non hazardous in most jurisdictions you still want a UN approved IBC because the moment you are transporting it off site or storing volumes above regulatory thresholds you fall under the same documentation requirements as mildly hazardous fluids. Crateco stocks UN approved IBC tanks and their specs are clearly listed so you can match the rating to your actual application without guessing. On the cage question the difference between a flimsy and a solid cage is usually the steel tube diameter and the weld quality at the corner joints, a proper industrial cage should not flex visibly when the tank is full, if it does the structural integrity under transport vibration is compromised.