Open Holding Yard Storage for Cotton Bales smartRISK 1

Open Holding Yard

Storage for Cotton Bales

Cotton is used in textile industry as one of the main

raw materials. It usually stored as cotton bales

which the fibres are compressed and wrapped with

LLDPE (liner low-density polyethylene) film.

While the cotton is in the custody of the

warehouse, it must be protected against damage.

The principal perils which must be guarded against

are fire damage that can causes total loss of the

cotton, and fungi or other damages resulting

from prolonged exposure to humid or moisture on

the cotton.

Consequently, cotton bales are normally stored in

enclosed warehouses to protect it from weather

and integrated fire protection in the form of

sprinkler system. However, warehousing cotton is

expensive as the initial cost of the buildings, the

sprinkler system, hydrant line, and other fixed fire

protection are relatively cost extensive. Even with

the expensive fire protection system, there is

always the possibility of a loss of enormous

amounts of cotton due to fire.

Although general industry practice store cotton

bales in covered warehouses, some cotton bales are

stored in open holding yards due to lack of

available indoor storage.

FIRE DAMAGE

Cotton fibres were considered combustible fibres

in the U.S. fire and building code standards;

however, in 2005 NFPA fire and building codes

recognize that densely-packed baled cotton with

packing density of at least 22 lbs/ft (352 kg/m3)

complies with ISO 8115, is not a combustible fibre

or a hazardous material unless it is in a loose form.

Nevertheless, fire occurrence in storage yards can

damages the cotton bales and causing total loss of

the cotton.

WEATHER DAMAGE

Covering film of cotton bales is usually made with

hole patterns to allow air to escape during bagging

and to allow some passage of air into and out of

bale during storage. However, it can also suggests

some permeability to moisture when stored in high

humidity conditions.

Cotton bales in the open holding yards can be

protected from weather condition by setting up

some bale cover made from water resistant

material.

OPEN HOLDING YARD CODES

When cotton bales are stored temporarily at open

holding yards, there are some necessary measures

recommended to minimize the possibility of

damage.

1. Outside stored bales should be the first

ones to be used.

2. Outside storage piles should be limited to

500 bales per pile with a clear space of

preferably 15 m but not less than 10 m

between individual piles and between piles

and buildings. Piles three to five metres

high are convenient for handling and for

weather covering.

3. Adequate hydrants and hoses should be

provided to protect the outside storage.

Outdoor sprinklers should also installed if

necessary.

Open Holding Yard Storage for Cotton Bales smartRISK 2

4. Water supply shall be capable of supplying

at least for a minimum of 3 hours of fire

fighting. If the quantity of stored product is

1200 m3 or more, the water supply system

shall be capable of supplying at least 3780

L/min.

5. Remove dead grass and loose combustible

materials in the vicinity of the piles.

6. Lower bales should be placed on dunnage

or pallet to provide ventilation and prevent

excess damage by ground moisture.

7. The storage site shall be well drained and

be level.

8. Hot works or heating devices shall not be

operated in storage yards.

9. Smoking shall not take place in storage

yards.

10. Storage yard shall be provided with fire

access routes to permit fire fighting

vehicles and equipment access.

11. Establish an effective security system.

12. Storage yard shall be surrounded by a

firmly anchored fence or other approved

method of security that controls

unauthorized access.

CONCLUSION

Open holding yard storage for cotton bales is a

common industry practice which has been

practiced in various countries. The main

differences are the protection to natural hazards

which is varying in every places.

Some guidelines and standards are available to

ensure compliance to best practice of cotton bale

storage such as NFPA 46 and NFPA 230 which has

been incorporated to NFPA 1 in 2005.

Safeguard to fire hazards such as hydrants and

hoses, and consequently adequate water supplies,

are necessary for controlling and extinguishing

fires involving combustible fibres.

REFERENCES

NFPA 1 (2015), Fire Code

Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, Ontario

Regulation 213/07, Fire Code

U.S. Patent #4891918

http://www.cotton.org/tech/safety/firecodes.cfm

FIRE DAMAGEWEATHER DAMAGEOPEN HOLDING YARD CODESCONCLUSIONREFERENCES