A new high-density polyethylene pallet from Orbis (www.orbiscorporation.com) has met the fire rating requirements equivalent to wood pallets, according to Factory Mutual Research Corporation. Factory Mutual is a testing lab and division of Factory Mutual Global Insurance.

The rating for the Heavy Duty Structo-Cell plastic pallet means that it can be stored with the same fire protection classification systems as wood pallets. The testing was based on "idle" pallets holding no products.

This new 40 × 48-inch pallet is designed to be easy to handle and durable, with an anticipated life up to 250 trips. It is molded as a one-piece, double-face pallet with the hygienic properties that make it suitable for pharmaceutical and food applications, among others.

Orbis also offers a 40 × 48-inch Rack'R pallet that has been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratory. It too meets fire protection classification.