One of the special things that make dry and liquid bulk transportation a whole different animal from regular dry-van transportation perhaps is not only the movement of the product – surge – but the logistics involved for both shippers and carriers coordinating the trailer tank wash. It is a crucial necessity that prevents cross-contamination between loads, but it is also what adds a lot of time and cost to most bulk shipments.
What is a Tank Wash?
Whether it’s a liquid or dry bulk shipment, food grade, or chemical, the tank trailer and equipment used to transport the product must be thoroughly washed before it can be used again to haul another product. This happens at a tank wash facility. For many products, a simple detergent wash with pressurized water and steam or a caustic wash will do, for others, a more extensive wash may be required.
For certain dry bulk shipments, a conversion wash may be necessary. With this type of wash, the pipe running along the bottom of the trailer is removed, along with all fittings, and the trailer is cleaned to ensure that no stray particles are hiding anywhere.
The average wash can take over an hour or more, with conversion washes taking closer to three hours.
Tank Wash Locations
There are many different bulk commodities and restrictions the bulk transport world is very different than many other products and loads such as in dry van loads a driver can unload at the delivery point, and get reloaded not too far away. That’s not the case with bulk loads, once delivered one must coordinate an appropriate wash location. This often results in big deadhead miles, not only empty miles but hours of travel.
In many parts of the country, there simply aren’t enough wash locations, which creates backlogs and wait times to get washed. Also, not every tank wash will wash out every type of commodity. This can create distance for not only several miles to get to the nearest location but can mean crossing several states, tolls and traffic.
Once finally at the tank wash, the driver typically must wait in line as many wash facilities have only two or three wash bays with several trucks waiting at each. These bottlenecks can add several hours to the already time-consuming wash and travel, and with the hours of services (HOS) requirements, making it hard to get quickly to the next load.
Tank Cleaning Directory
The Directory is published as a service by TBS Directory, LLC to help fleets, Owner operators as well as drivers not only find, and search for tank wash facilities, but, also help with Truck Repair, Trailer Repair, Tires, Truck stops, and many other listings.
The information was supplied to us by the operators of commercial and carrier-owned tank wash facilities interested in participating in this resource. Tank operators should contact a facility directly to determine if limitations apply and to verify certifications before sending equipment.
To submit a new listing or to report an error, contact: [email protected]
There is no charge to participate, but we do offer add-on packages to add website, email and logos. For listing upgrades and advertising, contact us or check out our https://tbsdirectory.com/our-service/providers for pricing and details.
Food Grade Tank Wash
The general population has confidence in the food and drinks they consume as we have regulations to keep our food supply chain safe. These regulations include how the food is handled, stored and transported, which also includes, how a bulk tank trailer needs to be washed.
Kosher Food Grade Tank Wash
Kosher transport must adhere to Jewish kashrut laws just as strictly as food production. According to kashrut food laws, any hot non-kosher items can’t touch kosher food. If that happens, then the kosher food is no longer kosher. In turn, if a tanker holds non-kosher food items and then carries kosher food — the kosher certification is lost. All Food grade tank trailers, wash locations, and storage facilities must be certified kosher by rabbis who specialize in the certification process.
Kosher Certification Process
There are misconceptions about kosher certification. Many people have the mistaken belief that storage or transportation tanks can be made kosher by having a rabbi merely giving a blessing over the product or trailer. There’s actually far more to the process of kosher certification. These specialized rabbis have to inspect the facility, but also inspect the history of what the tanks previously hauled. A kosher certificate has to travel with each shipment of food throughout the entire food transportation process, from where it’s produced to its final destination.
There are several steps that need to be followed on a Kosher Wash, to keep in good standing with kosher certification each time at Kosher Food Grade Tank Trailer is cleaned and sanitized.
- Step 1: Perform a standard clean, flush out any remaining liquids and wash the exterior of any dirt and debris.
- Step 2: Use a special cleaner for the interiors of the tank trailer.
- Step 3: Rinse the interiors of the tanks using water that is over 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 4: Sanitize thoroughly the Food Grade Tank Trailer.
Once a Food Grade Tanker has achieved kosher certification, carriers ensure that it never comes into any contact with any foodstuffs like pork or shellfish, or any other non-kosher food items. That’s why it’s so crucially important that accurate records are kept and all 3 prior loads are recorded properly. making sure that the food grade transportation chain is kept clean and that your food product is being handled appropriately along the way.
