General Recommendations
To ensure the durability and aesthetics of the zinc, specific recommendations must be followed in the handling and storage of zinc sheets and coils.
Transport and handling
- Avoid dropping sheet, coils and formed pieces. any blow or punch to the zinc can cause deformity in the zinc, in the form of folds or bumps. This can affect one or more of the sheets and coils. These deformities will affect the aesthetics of the zinc and may also damage its structural integrity, with cracks occurring over time
- Panels must be transported and stored vertically, standing on the l profile in the containers designed for them.
- When coils are shipped, they must be placed either on their horizontal axis or vertical axis, depending on the client’s request.
- Rough surfaces may scratch the zinc which can develop into cracks either during forming or after installation due to expansion and contraction. Therefore the dragging or sliding of sheets should be avoided.
- When handling the zinc, gloves and long sleeved shirts must be worn. The acid nature of perspiration will leave visible marks and finger prints on the zinc that over time will heal but can remain visible for quite some time.
- When the zinc is shipped in containers, it is essential to open the containers immediately upon receipt and store the products as soon as possible in the correct conditions.
Storage
The zinc sheets, coils, and formed pieces must be stored in a well-ventilated, sheltered and dry area where temperature variation is kept to a minimum.
- Temperature variations can cause condensation build-up, that in turn will cause zinc hydroxide (white rust) to form. ensure that the zinc is stored in an area without great temperature variations. Zinc hydroxide forms when the surface of zinc comes into contact with humidity without carbon dioxide. Zinc hydroxide provides no protection and leaves unattractive, indelible marks on the zinc. Consequently, we do not recommend installing any panel that has been affected by zinc hydroxide.
- The sheets, coils and formed pieces should be separated from the ground by pallet or similar storage device to allow sufficient ventilation of the zinc.
- Pallets or similar storage device should allow the zinc sheet to be stored flat to reduce risk of deformation.
- It is recommended that the coils be stored in their original packaging.
If the coils are to be stacked due to lack of storage space the following recommendations must be followed:
- If coils are delivered on their horizontal axis, the pallets must be stored in their original packaging and individually on separating racks.
- If coils are delivered on their vertical axis the pallets must be stored on top of one another with a maximum of 4 pallets for stability reasons.
- Zinc must never be stored outside.
