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DraftVerify Standards Library · F-16

Distributor Transport & Storage Requirements

Version 1.0 · Publication Date: 2025-01-01 · Status: Active
© 2025 DraftVerify™ Standards Initiative. All rights reserved.

This Standard defines the mandatory storage, cold-chain, segregation, and transport rules required for distributors handling non-alcoholic (NA) draft kegs under DraftVerify.

Transport and storage are the highest-risk points for:

  • Tag damage
  • Identity loss
  • Mis-stacking
  • NA/alcoholic cross-contamination
  • Temperature excursions
  • Chain-of-custody failures

F-16 ensures that DraftVerify identity survives the entire distribution lifecycle.

1. Purpose

The purpose of F-16 is to ensure:

  • NA kegs remain correctly identified
  • Coupler Tags remain intact and scannable
  • Transport does not compromise tag durability
  • Temperature remains within safe beverage parameters
  • NA/alcoholic separation is preserved end-to-end
  • Warehouse procedures uphold identity integrity

This protects venues, breweries, consumers, and distributors.

2. Scope

This Standard applies to:

  • Distribution warehouses
  • Cold storage facilities
  • Delivery vehicles
  • 3PL partners
  • Cross-dock operations
  • Any handler moving NA draft kegs

Covered responsibilities include:

  • Storage setup
  • Cold-chain management
  • Segregation rules
  • Transport configuration
  • Stability and movement control
  • Tag visibility during handling
  • Incident response

3. Storage Requirements

3.1 NA-Only Storage Zones (Mandatory)

Every distributor must maintain dedicated NA storage zones, either:

  • A fully separate room, or
  • A physically segregated area with dividers/pallets

Requirements:

  • Clearly labeled “NON-ALCOHOLIC ONLY” signage
  • No alcoholic product stored above, below, or beside NA product
  • No mixed pallets

3.2 Stacking Requirements

Kegs must be stacked so that:

  • Coupler Tags are not crushed
  • Zip ties cannot snag
  • Tags remain visible when possible
  • Sidewall NA bands (if used) remain viewable

Tag safety overrides pallet efficiency.

3.3 Temperature Requirements

Distributors must maintain:

  • Cold storage consistent with brewery specifications
  • Stability during opening/closing cycles
  • Logs showing temperature consistency (recommended)

Tags must withstand cold-chain conditions, but excessive freeze/thaw cycling may weaken adhesives or ties.

4. Warehouse Handling Requirements

4.1 Forklift & Pallet Jack Movement

Operators must:

  • Avoid scooping pallets underneath tag areas
  • Never drag kegs across floors
  • Avoid pinching or crushing coupler areas

4.2 Visibility During Handling

Handlers must:

  • Keep the Coupler Tag facing outward during new placement
  • Avoid orienting tags downward where they cannot be inspected

4.3 Tag Integrity Checks

During movement, staff must check:

  • Zip tie intact and tight
  • Tag unmoved and unrotated
  • No tear, bend, or adhesive failure

If a tag is damaged:

Keg must be quarantined.

5. Pre-Transport Procedures

Before loading kegs:

5.1 Verification Scan (Mandatory)

Every NA keg must be scanned to confirm:

  • Correct product identity
  • Activation status
  • No mismatched tag or inactive DTI

5.2 Load Mapping

Distributors must record:

  • Products and quantities
  • Batch or fill dates (if provided)
  • Destination venues
  • Vehicle route
  • Driver identity

5.3 Vehicle Preparation

Vehicles must:

  • Be free of alcoholic product near NA cargo
  • Have clean loading surfaces
  • Be pre-chilled when required
  • Feature internal barriers to prevent keg movement

6. Transport Requirements

6.1 NA/Alcoholic Separation (Mandatory)

During transport:

  • NA kegs must be stored in their own zone
  • No alcoholic products may contact or stack above NA products
  • If mixed loads are unavoidable → hard physical barriers are required

Separation prevents:

  • Product mix-ups
  • Mis-delivery
  • Brand contamination
  • Compliance failures

6.2 Stability & Movement Control

Kegs must be secured using:

  • Load bars
  • Straps
  • Chocks
  • Tight pallet shrink

They must not:

  • Roll freely
  • Tip over
  • Rub against metal surfaces
  • Hit rear or side doors

6.3 Environmental Protection

Drivers must:

  • Avoid prolonged exposure to heat
  • Keep doors closed between stops
  • Protect tags from rain or impact
  • Report any temperature excursion (if monitored)

7. Delivery Handling

7.1 Unloading Requirements

During unloading:

  • Tags must remain visible
  • Drivers must avoid grabbing kegs by the coupler
  • No keg may be rolled on its top surface

7.2 Venue Delivery Conditions

If the venue’s storage conditions compromise:

  • Tag visibility
  • NA separation
  • Temperature

The driver must notify the venue and distributor supervisor.

7.3 Mandatory Delivery Scan

Driver scans each keg with venue staff, confirming:

  • Correct identity
  • Active DTI
  • Correct NA categorization
  • No damage since leaving warehouse

8. Incident Management in Transport

8.1 Examples of Incidents

  • Tag ripped off
  • Tag rotated or loosened
  • Zip tie broken
  • Keg tipped and rolled
  • Keg exposed to extreme heat
  • Mixed stacking with alcoholic kegs
  • Delivery of wrong SKU

8.2 Required Actions

For any incident:

  • Stop delivery of affected keg
  • Quarantine keg
  • Document incident
  • Notify brewery and DraftVerify
  • Replace keg if available

8.3 Vehicle Accident Protocol

If the vehicle is involved in an accident:

  • All NA kegs must be quarantined
  • Every tag must be rescanned
  • Structural integrity must be verified

9. Distributor Documentation Requirements

Distributors must maintain:

9.1 Storage Logs

  • NA zone verification
  • Temperature logs (recommended)
  • Separation compliance checks

9.2 Transport Logs

  • Load list
  • Route map
  • Driver identity
  • Vehicle ID
  • Pre-transport verification scans

9.3 Incident Logs

Each incident must include:

  • Description
  • Location
  • Driver statement
  • Photo evidence (recommended)
  • Action taken

9.4 Audit Readiness

Documentation must be:

  • Accurate
  • Up to date
  • Available upon request

10. Training Requirements

Staff must be trained in:

  • NA separation rules
  • Tag integrity identification
  • Verification scanning
  • Safe keg handling
  • Warehouse and vehicle loading standards

Training frequency:

  • At onboarding
  • Annually
  • After major Standard revisions

11. Compliance Requirements

A distributor is DraftVerify-compliant when:

  • NA kegs remain separated end-to-end
  • Tags are intact throughout lifecycle
  • Verification scans are completed
  • Documentation is accurate
  • Incidents are reported
  • Delivery scans confirm identity

Non-compliance may result in:

  • Certification suspension
  • Required corrective action
  • Removal from DraftVerify distribution network

12. Summary

F-16 ensures that NA kegs are protected from identity loss, physical damage, and cross-contamination during transport and storage.

The Standard establishes:

  • Proper warehouse configuration
  • End-to-end NA segregation
  • Cold-chain consistency
  • Transport safety
  • Verification workflows
  • Accountability through documentation

Distributors uphold the identity chain from brewery to venue, ensuring NA draft arrives safely, accurately, and in full compliance with DraftVerify.