During the oil discovery era, drums came into existence for transporting crude. Today, industrial and production companies use them to store and ship finished products, goods and raw materials.
You must select the appropriate container and follow domestic and international guidelines and regulations for storage and shipment.
What is a 55 Gallon Drum?
A 55-gallon drum is a cylindrical shipping container for storing and transporting liquids, solids, and other materials. The capacity of 55-gallon drums is equivalent to 208 liters.
55-gallon drums are commonly made of steel and come in plastic, fiber, and stainless-steel varieties. The history of the 55-gallon drum dates back to the early 20th century, when drums were made of wood and used for transporting oil.
With the oil industry’s rise, the need for a standardized container surpassed the quality of wooden barrels, emerging 55-gallon containers.
As industries evolved, the design and materials used for 55-gallon containers changed, with steel becoming the standard due to its durability and robustness.
Compared to wood, steel drums offer more resistance to breakage and a more effective seal, providing a safer solution for storing flammable or volatile materials.
Types of 55 Gallon Drums
#1. Closed-Head Drum
Closed head drums are used for hazardous waste and are required to meet strict standards. They are tested to meet drop, stack, leak, hydrostatic, and vibration requirements as established by the United Nations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has four categories of hazardous waste.
When storing hazardous waste, industrial companies must use closed-head drums. They must meet United Nations and U.S. Department of Transportation standards and requirements. Use them to store semi-solids, including dirt, liquids, sand, soil and gravel.
Purchase a closed-head drum with a removable lid or cover. These drums are preferable because of their long-term storage sustainability. They must pass tests for leakage, hydrostatic and vibration.
#2. Open-Head Drum
Open head drums are very popular, reliable, and are normally used for storage or shipping. They are designed for harsh conditions and constant use with the ability to survive the demands of shipping.
Open head drops are highly durable and can be used indoors or outdoors depending on the job requirements. They come in a variety of colors and can be easily labeled for easy identification of the contents.
You can Utilize open-head drums for shipping, storage and indoor or outdoor purposes. Manufacturers design their containers with materials that withstand harsh conditions and are for continuous use. Unlike the closed-headed drum, the open-head type does not feature a removable cover or lid.
There is a bung on top of the container to access the content inside. On a 55-gallon drum, the standard size of the bung is approximately 1 to 3 inches in diameter. Some drums may feature another opening for ventilation.
#3. Carbon Steel Drum
Carbon Steel Drums have proven to be a durable and heavy-duty package for storage and transportation.
Suitable for packaging a variety of contents, including hazardous materials, they are available in open and tight head configurations, in sizes from 5-110 gallons, including the Workhorse 55 Gallon Drum.
For companies needing durability and heavy-duty packaging for transporting and storing hazardous liquids, carbon steel drums are a suitable choice. Each drum features durable, heavy-duty materials to prevent spillage or other unsafe accidents.
Carbon steel drums comply with U.S. and U.N. regulations. For your business to ship toxic or flammable liquids, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Standards require 55-gallon containers secured by dikes or pans.
#4. Fiber Drum
Fibre drums are versatile storage cylinders constructed from fibreboard, a material that is similar in look to cardboard but is much stronger and more durable.
They have a fibre cylindrical body but will usually have a solid, removable lid that can be produced from plastic or steel.
The fibre used for a cylinder’s body is made from recyclable materials, and the lid can be repurposed and reused.
Fibre drums come in a wide range of sizes and have a wide range of benefits and uses.
#5. Rain Barrel Drum
A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams.
Usually, a rain barrel is composed of a 55-gallon drum, a vinyl hose, PVC couplings, a screen grate to keep debris and insects out, and other off-the-shelf items, a rain barrel is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct and can sit conveniently under any residential gutter down spout.
#6. Salvage Drum
Salvage drums are designed to rescue you if you have leaky dangerous goods packaging. If your drum or combination packaging is leaking, salvage drums can be used to ship them to where they need to go.
Salvage drums are structurally designed to contain leaking, damaged, or non-compliant packaging containing dangerous goods.
You just have to safely place the leaking drum or packaging inside the salvage drum using proper PPE, close the drum, add cushioning or absorbent if necessary, and it is ready to ship or store the dangerous goods.
One thing I must clarify here, a salvage drum is not an overpack, it is a UN regulated drum that is meant to be used to ship or store packaging with dangerous goods that have leaks in them.
#7. Nitric Drum
For purity and compatibility, nitric drums are excellent storage solutions. They are resistant to oxidation and nitric acid when shipping materials overseas. You can find nitric drums in stainless stain that meets sanitation standards.
#8. TIH Over-Packed Drum
TIH Overpack Drums are specifically designed for customers shipping Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) materials. These overpack drums provide an extra layer of protection and convenience, consolidating multiple packages or safeguarding difficult-to-handle containers.
TIH (toxic by inhalation) over-packed drums receive testing for solids and certification based on U.N. requirements. The drum must qualify as secure outer packaging for shipping or storage.
#9. Crevice-Free Process Drum
Crevice-free process drums feature tensile strength because of their stainless-steel material. You can use the containers for pharmaceuticals, processed food and personal care products. They have a design comprising straight lines and a smooth interior. You can reuse them or sell your used drums.
#10. Plastic Drums.
Polyethylene drums, more commonly referred to as plastic drums, are industrial-grade containers made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
They are lighter weight and are considered to be more cost effective than their steel drum counterparts. Plastic drums have widespread applications spanning both the residential and commercial sectors.
If you’re interested in using polyethylene drums for shipping chemicals and other manufactured materials, this guide will help you determine the right chemical packaging choice and answer some common questions about the polyethylene (HDPE) drum.
#11. Overpack Drums
An overpack drum is a large container designed to provide an additional layer of protection and containment for smaller containers during storage or transportation. It’s used when the original container is compromised or when multiple containers need to be consolidated.
The primary purpose of an overpack drum is to prevent leaks, spills, and further damage to the original containers, as well as to facilitate handling and transport. It acts as a secondary container that envelops and contains the primary containers within it.
#12. Wine Barrels
The wine industry is increasingly adopting stainless steel drums for the development, fermentation, maturation, and storage of wine. New designs are being created to accommodate wine barrel racks.
#13. Taper Sided Drums
A tapered open head plastic drum features its distinctive shape primarily for reasons related to efficiency in storage, transportation, and handling.
The tapering allows the drums to be nested when empty, which significantly reduces the amount of space required for storage and transport.
This design feature is particularly valuable in logistics and supply chain management, where space efficiency translates directly into cost savings and operational efficiency.