ASTM D7478/D7478M-11(2017)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Heavy Duty Sheathed Wood Crates
Standard Specification for Heavy Duty Sheathed Wood Crates
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers requirements for two types and two classes of sheathed crates each of which may have two base styles. The crates are designed for net loads not exceeding 30 000 pounds lb [13 607 kg] and to withstand the most severe overseas shipping and storage conditions.
1.2 The crates described by this specification are intended to protect items from atmospheric elements during shipment and storage. They are designed to withstand the rough handling of logistic operations including stacking and outside storage for a prolonged period.
1.3 Class 1 and 2 crates may be used interchangeably as desired. However, the Class 2 crate should be used when weight is a prime consideration, as the lack of diagonals and thinner plywood sheathing results in a lighter crate.
1.4 Demountable crates, Type II, should be used whenever it is expected that the contained item will require reshipping to another destination.
1.5 Sill bases, Style B, are intended for items that project below their mounting points, such as disassembled vehicles.
1.6 If the use of other construction method or techniques is acceptable and permitted (see 5.10), the resulting packaging systems shall be of equal or better performance than would result from the use of these specified materials and procedures. The appropriate distribution cycle, specified in Practice D4169 can be used to develop comparative procedures and criteria.
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. See IEEE/ASTM SI 10 for conversion of units.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D7478/D7478M −11(Reapproved 2017)
Standard Specification for
Heavy Duty Sheathed Wood Crates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7478/D7478M; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversrequirementsfortwotypesand
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
two classes of sheathed crates each of which may have two
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
basestyles.Thecratesaredesignedfornetloadsnotexceeding
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
30000poundslb[13607kg]andtowithstandthemostsevere
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
overseas shipping and storage conditions.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 Thecratesdescribedbythisspecificationareintendedto
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
protect items from atmospheric elements during shipment and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
storage. They are designed to withstand the rough handling of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
logistic operations including stacking and outside storage for a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
prolonged period.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 Class 1 and 2 crates may be used interchangeably as
2.1 ASTM Standards:
desired. However, the Class 2 crate should be used when
D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
weight is a prime consideration, as the lack of diagonals and
ments
thinner plywood sheathing results in a lighter crate.
D3953Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
1.4 Demountable crates, Type II, should be used whenever
D4169Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
it is expected that the contained item will require reshipping to
tainers and Systems
another destination.
D4442Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
1.5 Sill bases, Style B, are intended for items that project
ment of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
below their mounting points, such as disassembled vehicles.
D4675Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Ma-
terials
1.6 If the use of other construction method or techniques is
D6199PracticeforQualityofWoodMembersofContainers
acceptable and permitted (see 5.10), the resulting packaging
and Pallets
systems shall be of equal or better performance than would
D6253Practice for Treatment and/or Marking of Wood
resultfromtheuseofthesespecifiedmaterialsandprocedures.
Packaging Materials
The appropriate distribution cycle, specified in Practice D4169
F1667SpecificationforDrivenFasteners:Nails,Spikes,and
can be used to develop comparative procedures and criteria.
Staples
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
IEEE/ASTMSI10StandardforUseofInternationalSystem
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
2.2 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
Standards:
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
PS 1Voluntary Product Standard, Structural Plywood
with the standard. See IEEE/ASTM SI 10 for conversion of 4
PS 20American Softwood Lumber Standard
units.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.12 on Shipping the ASTM website.
Containers, Crates, Pallets, Skids and Related Structures. Available fromAPA, The Engineered WoodAssociation, 7011 South 19th St.,
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017. Published September 2017. Originally Tacoma, WA 98466–5399, http://www.apawood.org.
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D7478/D7478M–11. Available from American Lumber Standards Committee, Inc., (ALSC), P.O.
DOI: 10.1520/D7478_D7478M-11R17. Box 210, Germantown, MD 20875–0210, http://www.alsc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7478/D7478M−11(2017)
2.3 Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association Standard: 3.2.7 headers—headers are either transverse members at
ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2004American National Standard for each end of skid bases or longitudinal members at each end of
Hardwood and Decorative Plywood top joists. Headers in bases serve to hold the base together as
a unit, to transfer loads to outside skids, and to provide a
2.4 National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) Stan-
fastening member for end panels. Headers in top panels serve
dard:
to position and support joists and to provide a fastening
NHLA Rulesfor the Measurement and Inspection of Hard-
member for side panels.
wood and Cypress
2.5 ASME Standards:
3.2.8 horizontal braces—horizontal braces are members
ASME B18.2.1-2010Square, Hex, Heavy Hex, and Askew
positioned between struts and parallel to the upper and lower
Head Bolts and Hex, Heavy Hex, Hex Flange, Lobed
frame members and serve to reduce the unsupported span of
Head, and Lag Screws (Inch Series)
the sheathing.
ASME B18.2.2-2010Nuts for General Applications: Ma-
3.2.9 joists—joists are members extending across the crate
chine Screw Nuts, Hex, Square, Hex Flange, and Cou-
underneaththetop,whichservetosupportandtransfervertical
pling Nuts (Inch Series)
stacking loads to the side panels. Joists also serve to prevent
ASME B18.2.3.8M - 1981Metric Hex Lag Screws
crushing or buckling of crate tops when slings or grab hooks
ASME B18.2.4.3M-1979Metric Slotted Hex Nuts
are used.
ASME B18.5-2008Round Head Bolts (Inch Series)
ASME B18.5.2.2M-1982Metric Round head Square Neck
3.2.10 lag screw strap—lag screw strap is a metal reinforc-
Bolts ing strap used on bolted crates sides and ends to reinforce and
ASME B18.22M-1981Metric Plain Washers
increase lag screw lateral resistance.
ASME B18.21.1-2009Washers: Helical Spring-Lock,Tooth
3.2.11 load-bearing floorboards—load-bearing floorboards
Lock, and Plain Washers (Inch Series)
are transverse base members which serve to distribute and
2.6 International Standard:
transfer loads to the outside skids.
ISPM15InternationalStandardsforPhytosanitaryMeasures
3.2.12 rubbing strips—rubbing strips are longitudinal mem-
Publication No. 15 (ISPM 15), Regulation of Wood
bers nailed to the skid bottom to provide for sling and forklift
Packaging Material in International Trade
truck handling.
3. Terminology
3.2.13 sheathing—sheathing is the plywood or boards
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis- nailed to the frame members and enclose the crate. Sheathing
tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
used on the top panels is called top sheathing; that used on the
sideorendpanelsiscalledsideorendsheathing;thatnailedto
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
thetopofskidsiscalledflooring;andthatnailedtothebottom
3.2.1 The crate component parts discussed herein were
of sills is called bottom sheathing.
selected on the basis of part function. Alternate names are
sometimes used by industry.
3.2.14 side frame members—side frame members are the
3.2.2 diagonals—diagonals are frame members positioned
members of the crate top, without joists, which are parallel to
between parallel frame members and placed at nearly 45°
the long dimension and serve as fastening members and to tie
anglestothem.Diagonalsserveasbracesandensurerigidityin
the crate construction together.
the crate.
3.2.15 sill bridging—sill bridging are members of the same
3.2.3 end frame members—end frame members are similar
depth as the sills, which are inserted at right angles to the
to side frame members but perpendicular to the long dimen-
intermediate sills, and serve to prevent lateral sill turning or
sion.
buckling.
3.2.4 filler strips—filler strips are boards placed across the
3.2.16 sills—sills are the members, which with sill bridging
ends of thin, non-load-bearing floorboards, which serve to fill
form the frame work of sill-type bases. Sills carry and transfer
the space below the lower frame member of the crate sides.
loads to side panels and serve as fastening members.There are
3.2.5 frame members—frame members are those parts
side, end, and intermediate sills.
which form the fundamental crate structure upon which the
3.2.17 skids—skids are longitudinal members attached to
strength and rigidity of a lumber-sheathed crate depends.
the crate bottom, which serve to support and transfer the load
3.2.6 hanger-metal—hanger-metal is a metal nailed strap
to the side panels.
used to aid in support of the intermediate sill in sill-type bases.
3.2.18 sleepers—sleepers are members underneath the floor
of skid-type bases to which the item is anchored (through the
Available from Hardwood Plywood and VeneerAssociation (HPVA), P.O. Box
floor) so that the tie-down stress will be distributed.
2789, Reston, VA 22090–0789, http://www.hpva.org.
3.2.19 struts—struts are vertical frame members, placed
Available from National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), 6830 Ra-
leigh LaGrange Rd., Memphis, TN 38134, http://www.natlhardwood.org.
between the side and end panels’ upper and lower frame
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
members, and serve as columns for supporting vertical stack-
International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016–5990, http://
ing loads. The end struts are sometimes referred to as corner
www.asme.org.
Available from the International Plant Protection Convention, www.ippc.int. posts.
D7478/D7478M−11(2017)
3.2.20 upper and lower frame members—upper and lower 6.2.2 Outside Dimensions—Outside dimensions are the
frame members are those horizontal members at the top and crate, or its contents, overall length, width, and height, which-
bottom of the side and end panels which serve to tie the ever is greater. Actual dimensions, except in designing, are
construction together. corrected whole inches [25 mm increments], any fraction less
1 1
than ⁄2 in. [13 mm] being disregarded, and any fraction of ⁄2
3.2.21 vertical joist supports—vertical joist supports are
in. [13 mm] or greater being considered a full inch [25 mm
vertical members attached to the crate sides inside face, which
increment].
serve to support the joists and assist the struts in supporting
6.2.3 Cubic Displacement—Cratecubicdisplacementiscal-
vertical stacking loads.
culated from the outside dimensions in inches [millimetres]
4. Classification and is stated in cubic feet [cubic metres].
6.2.4 Limitations—The crate exterior dimensions shall not
4.1 Crates shall be of the following types, classes, and
exceed the following limitations:
styles:
6.2.4.1 Length—30 ft [9144 mm].
4.2 Type:
6.2.4.2 Width—9 ft [2743 mm].
4.2.1 Type I—Nailed.
6.2.4.3 Height—10 ft [3048 mm].
4.2.2 Type II—Bolted.
6.2.5 Interior Clearance—Aclearance of not less than 2 in.
4.3 Class:
[50 mm] shall be allowed between the item and the closest
4.3.1 Class 1—Lumber sheathed.
side, end, or top crate member. Additional clearances may be
4.3.2 Class 2—Plywood sheathed.
provided for shock-mounted items. Protruding parts at the top
4.4 Style: may be allowed to extend between joists; joist spacing may be
adjusted slightly to accommodate projections.
4.4.1 Style A—Skid base.
4.4.2 Style B—Sill base.
7. Materials and Manufacture
5. Ordering Information
7.1 Materials—Materials shall be as specified herein. Ma-
5.1 Purchasers should select the preferred permitted options
terials not specified shall be selected by the contractor or crate
and include the following information in procurement docu-
builder and shall be subject to all provisions of this specifica-
ments:
tion (see Section 11). Materials shall be free of defects, which
adversely affect performance or serviceability of the finished
5.2 Specification title, number, and date.
product.
5.3 Crate type, class, and style (see Section 4).
7.2 Lumber—LumbercomponentsshallconformtoPractice
5.4 Contents weight.
D6199, PS 20, or the NHLARules.All lumber sizes specified
5.5 Crate dimensions specified in order of length by width
herein shall be nominal and shall be the minimum acceptable
by depth.
sizesforlumbercomponents.Lumbercomponentsshallhavea
target thickness and width uniform in dimension and 50% of
5.6 When inspection doors are required.
components shall meet or exceed the target dimensions at the
5.7 When top, sides, and ends shall be assembled with nails
time of component manufacture.
and the entire assembly bolted to the base.
7.3 Plywood—Plywood shall conform to PS 1 or ANSI/
5.8 Whether crates are to be shipped assembled or knocked
HPVA HP-1-2004. All panels shall be bonded with moisture
down.
resistant adhesive and be identified as either Exposure 1 or
5.9 Whether other construction methods or techniques are
Exterior.
acceptable and permitted (see 1.6).
7.4 Fasteners—Fasteners are classified as driven nails,
5.10 Whether proof that other constructions methods or
bolts, lag bolts, wood screws, and metal strapping.
techniques are acceptable (see 1.6) is required.
7.4.1 Nails—NailsshallbeinaccordancewithSpecification
5.11 If packaging is other than as specified. F1667 and other industry standards. Nails are classified as
plain-shank, helically threaded, annularly threaded, fluted, or
5.12 When ISPM 15 compliance is required (see 12.1).
twisted square wire.
7.4.2 Staples—Staples have either round-wire or approxi-
6. General Requirements
mately square-wire legs, referring to the cross-sectional shape
6.1 Crate Loading—When crates are furnished as filled
of the wire. Staples should be made of low carbon steel wire
containers, the extent of contents disassembly, the anchoring,
and galvanized.
blocking, and lifting attachments application shall be in accor-
7.4.3 Bolts, Lag Bolts, Nuts and Washers—Bolts, lag bolts,
dance with this specification’s Supplemental Requirements.
nuts and washers shall
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