4. Handling, Storage and Transportation

Overview

For safe and efficient handling, storage, and transportation, please read this section before working with HIMACS products. HIMACS products may be supplied on heavy pallets, and individual sheets are too heavy for a single person to handle safely. To ensure HIMACS products remain stable and perform optimally over the recommended period, specific storage conditions are required for each product type. Proper handling and storage will maintain HIMACS products in the best possible condition for your work.

1. General handling guidelines

All HIMACS products should be inspected promptly upon receipt, and any defects should be reported to your supplier immediately.

• Handle HIMACS products with care at all times.

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and safety shoes, and ensure proper handling equipment is used.

• Maintain a clean and organised workspace. Ensure that areas where HIMACS products are being moved are smooth and free from floor irregularities.

• When transporting HIMACS products within your warehouse or fabrication shop, move slowly but continuously.

• Forklift Handling:

  • Ensure the lifting arms are long and strong enough to lift heavy pallets safely from the front, allowing the pallet to be fully supported.

  • For standard container deliveries, unload from the head side using a forklift with sufficiently long arms for safe handling.

  • If lifting pallets from the side, use wide forklift arms to prevent bending or damage to the sheets. Due to the weight of the pallets, it is recommended to move one pallet at a time to avoid harmful bending.

• If suitable equipment for heavy pallets is unavailable, open the pallet on the vehicle bed and manually unload the HIMACS sheets one by one, following the handling guidelines for each product.

Note

Any Warping or damage resulting from incorrect handling, storage, or transportation is not covered by LX Hausys.

2. HIMACS Sheets

2.1 Handling

• Never attempt to handle individual HIMACS sheets alone.

• HIMACS sheets should be lifted by two people, one at each end.

• Always lift the sheets vertically on edge, with one hand underneath to support and one hand on top to control.

• Where possible, use a vacuum lifting system with suction cups.

• Avoid flexing the sheets while carrying, as this may cause damage.

• Never drag HIMACS sheets along the floor, as this can result in chipped or broken edges.

2.2 Storage

• Store HIMACS sheets in a dry, well-ventilated indoor area with a temperature between 15℃ and 25℃, such as a properly prepared warehouse.

• Protect sheets from any sources of damage, including direct sunlight, rain, and excessive heat.

• Implement a stock system that allows easy identification of sheet numbers, simple access, and safe handling. A first-in, first-out (FIFO) process is recommended.

• Shelving should be level, strong, and provide full underlayment support with rack supports every 600mm to prevent sheet distortion.

• Ideally, store one pallet per rack unit to ensure safe and stable storage. When placing a pallet in storage, open the steel transportation bands and remove the clear plastic wrap to minimise moisture accumulation.

• Always cover the top of the pallet with a protective wooden sheet to prevent the top sheet from becoming dirty or scratched.

• If it is necessary to stack multiple pallets temporarily, ensure there is sufficient support under each pallet to prevent distortion of the HIMACS sheets. Supports must be properly aligned to bear the full weight.

• Never leave sheets outdoors for extended periods.

• Do not remove the protective film during storage.

• For 12mm standard HIMACS sheets, LX Hausys flips the bottommost sheet on the pallet during shipment to reduce deformation. When storing leftover sheets or reloading pallets, the bottommost sheet should also be flipped to minimise deformation.

• Vertical storage of HIMACS sheets is generally not recommended.

• However, under unusual or temporary conditions, an ‘A’ Frame with full underlayment support or rack support at every 600mm may be used.

• When using an ‘A’ Frame, the entire surface of each HIMACS sheet should be leaned closely against the frame to prevent warping.

• Ensure there is no gap between sheets or between the sheets and the ‘A’ Frame, and that the sheets cannot slip during vertical storage.

2.3 Transportation (Fabricated products)

• Fabricated items should be treated as fragile and protected with appropriate packing materials, such as bubble wrap.

• Edges and corners must be safeguarded using pasteboards or other shock-absorbing materials.

• Cutouts in fabricated items require additional support during packing to prevent breakage during loading, unloading, and transportation.

• Fabricated products are best transported on edge and stored on a specially designed a-support rack.

• Ensure that pallets loaded onto lorries are levelled and fully supported at all times.

• Avoid transporting HIMACS fabricated products in open-top vehicles, as this may cause extreme thermal movement and exposure to changing air conditions.

• Prevent any movement of products during transportation by securing them with clamps, straps, or blocks.

3. HIMACS Adhesives

• HIMACS adhesives require specific storage, handling, transportation, and usage guidelines to ensure both performance and safety.

• Store HIMACS adhesives in a dry, well-ventilated indoor area at temperatures between 8℃ and 15℃, such as a dedicated cool cabinet. Protect the adhesives from sunlight, rain, high heat, and other potential sources of damage.

• A stock system should allow easy LOT number identification, convenient access, and simple handling of adhesives. A first-in, first-out (FIFO) process is recommended to maintain quality.

Note

• HIMACS adhesives are flammable materials, and safety must always be the primary consideration when using them in your work area.

• The storage environment can affect the performance and quality of HIMACS adhesives. The shelf life of HIMACS adhesives is five years from the date of manufacture, provided they are stored under the recommended conditions.

• For optimal performance, it is recommended to use HIMACS adhesives within one year of the manufacture date.

• LX Hausys shall not be liable for any reduction in performance resulting from poor or improper storage or handling of HIMACS adhesives.