ITW Shippers Dunnage Air Bag Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Dunnage air bag?
2. Are dunnage Air Bags called differently?
3. What are the functions of a dunnage air bag?
4. What are the key benefits of using a dunnage air bag?
5. What type of equipment do I need to inflate an ITW Shippers dunnage bag?
6. What type of dunnage air bag is needed for each mode of transportation?
7. What is the maximum void recommended to use a dunnage air bag?
8. What can be used to reduce void when exceeding maximum recommended size?
9. Can I re-use and ITW Shippers dunnage air bag?
10. Why should I use ITW Shippers as dunnage air bag supplier?
11. Is ITW Shippers ISO certified?
12. Can ITW Shippers provide other load securement products?
13. Are ITW Shippers dunnage air bags verified by the AAR (Association of American Railroad)?
14. Can ITW Shippers dunnage air bags be recycled?

What is a Dunnage air bag?

• Its fabrication consists of a plastic bladder, which contains the air, in most cases covered by an outer shell in paper or polywoven.
• It is used to prevent load movement during transit while shipping products by truck, sea container, intermodal, railcar or ocean vessel.

Are Dunnage Air Bags called differently?

• Yes, sometimes they are called Disposable Inflatable Dunnage or D.I.D, or Reusable Dunnage Air Bag or Disposable Dunnage bag or Inflatable Dunnage Bag, or Dunnage Bags.

What are the functions of a dunnage air bag?

• When inflated, a dunnage air bag prevents loads from shifting while being transported by truck, sea container, railcar or vessels.
• It reduces the risk of product damage.
• It repositions the load and creates bulk head forces to prevent load shifts

What are the key benefits of using a dunnage air bag?

• Product damage reduction also called “Unsalables” during transport.
• Reduce the labor cost of securing your load compare to using lumber
• To enhance customer satisfaction by providing undamaged products during shipment.
• The most versatile history proven method of load securement

What type of equipment do I need to inflate an ITW Shippers dunnage bag?

• You will need the following:
1. A compressor or air lines if available
2. An Inflator device (Provided by ITW Shippers)
3. Pressure measuring gauge (Provided by ITW Shippers)

What type of dunnage air bag is needed for each mode of transportation?

• For truck shipment you will need a 2 ply paper or plastic dunnage bag
• For intermodal (piggyback) shipment you will need a 2 ply level 1 paper bag
• For sea container you will need level 1 or level 2 dunnage bag
• For rail car shipment: Depending on the load of the products transported you will need level 2, Level 3, level 4 or level 5 dunnage bag
• For vessel shipment: Depending on the cargo configuration you will use Level 3, level 4 or level 5 dunnage bags

What is the maximum void recommended to use a dunnage air bag?

• For void less than 8”(20 cm): 24” wide (60cm) dunnage air bag
• For void between 8” (20cm) and 12”(30cm): 36” wide (90cm) dunnage air bag
• For void between 12” (30cm) and 16”(40cm): 48” wide (1200cm) dunnage air bag
• For void between 16” (40cm) and 20” (50cm): 60” wide (1500cm) dunnage air bag
• For shipment by rail the void cannot exceed 12”(30cm) after infaltion

What can be used to reduce void when exceeding maximum recommended size?

• Corrugated void fillers, cardboard panels or old pallets can be placed either against the side wall of the truck or the sea container, or in between the dunnage air bag and the load to be secured.
• Pinwheeling the pallets (Turning one pallet in length direction and the other one in width direction) where air bags are used will also reduce the void.

Can I re-use and ITW Shippers dunnage air bag?

• Yes, ITW Shippers has a line of reusable dunnage air bags. However, when dunnage air bags are used for the shipment by rail the AAR (Association of American Railroad) prohibits reusability.
• Reusability depends on the application as well as caution used by using and handling the dunnage air bag. Before re-using a dunnage bag you should always verify that it is free of any tear.

Why should I use ITW Shippers as my dunnage air bag supplier?

• ITW Shippers has been manufacturing dunnage air bags for more than 40 years.
• We provide a full line of dunnage air bags in terms of material (Paper, Plastic, Polywoven) and many sizes.

Is ITW Shippers ISO certified?

• Yes, all ITW Shippers manufacturing plants are ISO 9001-2000 certified

Can ITW Shippers provide other load securement products?

• Yes, ITW Shippers also offers a complete line of void fillers, rubber mats and load bars

Are ITW Shippers dunnage air bags verified by the AAR (Association of American Railroad)?

• Yes, ITW Shippers dunnage air bags are “Verified” by the AAR for shipments by rail.

Can ITW Shippers dunnage air bags be recycled?

• Yes, all the materials used to manufacture our dunnage air bags are recyclable after the valve mechanism is removed.