FMC Policy:
Prohibiting Wooden Pallets
for H2O2 Drums
The purpose of this letter is to document FMCs position regarding the storage of Hydrogen
Peroxide drums on wooden pallets and provides a clear rationale of why we have taken this
position.
FMC Policy: The storage of Hydrogen Peroxide drums on wooden pallets is prohibited.
Since FMC initially began the manufacture of Hydrogen Peroxide in the 1930s (at former BECCO
plant in Tonawanda, NY), there have been countless case histories of fires, both major and minor in
nature, that have been directly attributed to the storage of peroxide drums on wooden pallets. As a
more recent example, one of FMCs major distributors lost an entire warehouse to fire in the early
1990s, at a cost in excess of $1,000,000. The follow-up investigation determined that a single
wooden pallet, ignited by a leaking drum of 35% Hydrogen Peroxide, initiated this warehouse fire.
Although the fire hazards associated with higher peroxide concentrations (e.g. 70% H2O2) are well
known and understood, it is actually the lower concentrations (e.g. 50% & 35% H2O2) that very
often can result in a more serious incident, due to the time delay factor. Unlike 70% H2O2, which
can ignite a combustible material within a few minutes, the lower H2O2 concentrations, when
contacted with a dry combustible material, can smolder several hours or even days before finally
igniting. This time delay ignition typically occurs when it is least expected. Under the right
conditions (i.e. high temperature/low humidity; and dry, porous, combustible surface), the
combined effect of slow peroxide decomposition and evaporation can cause the peroxide to slowly
concentrate. Once the concentration reaches about 70%, further decomposition evaporates the
remaining water and the temperature rapidly rises to the point where a combustible material will
spontaneously ignite with the pure oxygen released by the decomposing peroxide.
FMCs experience is that wooden pallets, typically constructed from dry, very porous softwoods,
are ideal candidates for peroxide induced fires. Unlike the hard, non-absorbent wooden floors of
the trucks typically used in the transportation of peroxide drums, wooden pallets provide an
absorbent surface, which is very conducive to the slow H2O2 decomposition/evaporation/
concentration effect described above. This is why wooden pallet fires have been quite common,
whereas fires caused by peroxide spillage on truck floors have been extremely rare. Another
problem with wooden pallets is that they are assembled with nails that, over time, can protrude out
of the wooden surface and actually create a puncture hazard for plastic drums.
Please call FMC Engineering Services for assistance at (716) 879-0494 / (716) 879-0495 or
visit the FMC website at www.fmcchemicals.com for more information
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FMC Policy:
Prohibiting Wooden Pallets
for H2O2 Drums
It was specifically due to this relatively high frequency of wooden pallet fires caused by peroxide
contact, that the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has also adapted FMCs policy
prohibiting use of wooden pallets for peroxide service. NFPA 430 Code for the Storage of Liquid
and Solid Oxidizers (2000 Edition) includes the following statement in paragraph 2-4.2;
Hydrogen Peroxide (Classes 2 through 4) stored in drums shall not be stored on wooden
pallets. This NFPA prohibition applies to all Hydrogen Peroxide concentrations greater than
27.5%.
Furthermore, the North American Peroxide Producers Association and the European Chemical
Industry Council support FMCs position.
Following are a few reasonable alternatives to wooden pallets:
Use of non-wooden pallets (e.g. plastic) for peroxide drum service.
Shipment and/or storage of peroxide drums loose, without pallets.
Treatment of wooden pallets with an effective fireproofing agent.
Please call FMC Engineering Services for assistance at (716) 879-0494 / (716) 879-0495 or
visit the FMC website at www.fmcchemicals.com for more information
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