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05/03/2021

FRAGILE BOXES: HOW TO PACK THEM

The transportation of the items that fall under the definition of fragile is a responsible task since ensuring their safety is not always easy to achieve.  To deliver fragile boxes safe and sound you need to have specific knowledge and skills.

FRAGILE BOXES: HOW TO PACK THEM

What items can be considered fragile?

  • Fragile goods are those that require protection from mechanical damage, falling, and extraneous weight loads:
  • glassware, porcelain, crystal, and serving items;
  • household, office, and computer equipment;
  • antiques;
  • musical instruments;
  • home accessories and various fragile interior items;
  • some auto parts (for example, optics and glass);
  • indoor flowers and ornamental plants.

According to ATA data, in 2018 only 19% of Americans used professional movers when changing their place of residence. The other 81% rented a truck or moved themselves. This means that self-relocation is still popular in the United States. The risk of damage during such moves is high, especially when you are transporting fragile items.

All in Moving Systems has prepared a few rules and recommendations regarding packing of fragile items. If you keep them, you will avoid a lot of damages and unexpected challenges.

1. Use bubble wrap.

Bubble wrap is the most versatile, modern, and environmentally friendly packaging made of high-pressure low-density polyethylene, also called bubble wrap. Due to its protective properties, it ensures the safety of products from hits, scratches, dirt.

Packing of fragile equipment, including household, accessories, auto parts, glass, porcelain, ceramics is the main area of ​​application of bubble film.

Some advantages of bubble wrap:

– Does not get wet, does not sink, does not rot.

– Provides high shock-absorbing and shockproof properties, protects the product or product from vibration, friction; it has high mechanical strength, is resistant to damage and tearing.

– Not sensitive to temperature changes.

– The film is distinguished by high thermal insulation properties, provided by closed cavities (“bubbles”) between the layers of polyethylene, which contain dry air – an excellent heat insulator.

– Dustproof.

– It takes the form of a product, has a low weight, and practically does not take up space.

– Excellent hydro and vapor barrier and properties to protect the product or product from moisture.

– Not afraid of corrosion and bacterial influence.

– Not interesting for insects and rodents.

– Does not emit harmful substances, is odorless and non-toxic.

– Has high elasticity.

– Not affected by organic solvents.

– Withstands the influence of acids of various concentrations (with the exception of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids).

– Possesses shockproof and soundproof properties, which can be used for repairs and construction.

– Can be used in contact with food.

– Has significant electrical resistance.

– Easy to recycle and does not pollute the environment.

2. Don’t forget about labeling.

You should make marks on the boxes giving information about the specifics of the items inside, their methods of transportation, unloading, and storage. Fragile goods must be marked with a black glass icon called “Fragile. Handle with care”. Seeing such a designation, the movers will be more attentive to this box, and observe certain precautions during its transportation and storage.

Together with the main designation of fragile boxes, other types of marking for fragile items are often used. They indicate the permissible ways of using it:

  • Two arrows up. This marking indicates that the box should only stand in a certain position, and shows where it is top.
  • A hook with two lines crossed. Top unloading using a hook is prohibited.
  • Up arrow. Indicates where the box must be opened to retrieve the items.
  • Two black squares with the top crossed out. This marking warns that the stacking of goods is prohibited.
  • A black square with two crossed-out arrows. It is prohibited to roll and lay the box on its side during loading and unloading.
  • Black umbrella with raindrops. The box must be protected from moisture.

3. Packing Materials for fragile items.

It is necessary to understand that attempts to save on packing material most often end in damage to the transported items. You should also not pack fragile items too tightly in order to save space on the vehicle – the consequences can be very negative. Here you need to adhere to a simple rule – the volume of the package must correspond to the size of the transported items. So what packaging materials can you use for fragile items?

  • As mentioned earlier bubble wrap is a must!
  • Carton boxes. Boxes for office equipment, which are specially designed for packaging equipment, small ones (for transporting dishes, for example), medium-sized (for bulky items) – all types of boxes will help you reduce the possibility of damage to items when moving. Do not skimp on their quality, because the safety of your property depends on it!
  • Bulk packaging, so-called foam “flakes” or “chips”. It is used for secure and careful fixation of fragile and valuable cargo in the box, so as not to damage it during transportation or transportation. If you need to transport, for example, a chandelier, then be sure to take note of this type of packaging.
  • Adhesive tapes, polyethylene, and paper! They don’t need an introduction.
  • Wrapping paper. Yes, not only gifts for the New Year are packed in it. It is also used when moving. You can either just wrap the item in it and put it in the box, or put the individual items inside the box with sheets of wrapping paper (this is convenient for transportation, plates, for example).

4. Do not overpack.

It should be noted that not all fragile goods can be packed in any universal way. Each category of fragile cargo must be approached individually. The packaging of fragile goods for transportation is selected depending on certain features of the cargo itself.

Each fragile item is packed in a plastic bubble wrap or wrapping paper and placed in a separate cell, separated from its neighbors by cardboard sheets. The cells are packed into wooden boxes and insulated on the sides with waterproof material.

Fragile goods such as household appliances or computer equipment are packed differently. Each item is wrapped in waterproof plastic wrap and placed in a separate cardboard box, inside which is securely fixed with pieces of foam. The boxes are placed next to each other at a certain distance, the space between them is also filled with foam. Then the entire cargo is additionally insulated from moisture penetration. This method of transporting equipment excludes its free movement inside the body or wagon.

Flat and light-breaking loads, for example, car glass, window blocks, tiles, mirrors, are attached to special wooden pallets, located on top of each other. A soft material is inserted between the objects. The stacks are placed in ribbed timber frames and wrapped with packing tape.

But the most important thing in this situation is not to overpack. Heavy boxes are much more difficult to carry. In this case, the likelihood that you drop them or hurt yourself is much higher. If you want to play it safe, you can use heavy-duty tape to reinforce the bottom of the boxes.

There are a lot of fragile or non-standard items in your apartment or office, and you don’t know how to start packing them? Consider hiring professionals for this. A professional moving company, such as All in Moving Systems, for example, will not only be able to quality pack and transport your belongings but will also be responsible for the safety of your property under the contract. Therefore, if the list of things includes a Murano glass chandelier, a model of a sailboat presented to you by business partners, or bulky equipment, it is better not to rely on chance, but play it safe and let professionals help you in this delicate matter.