Livro Container Tecnology

Container Technology A-Z
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Container Architecture and ISBU Technology
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Using A DWB
This publication is a Digital Work Book (DWB) which is a digital publication designed by GreenCube Publishing. It o ers all eatures and usability o con!entional "hard co!er" publications# but with digital technology eatures to $a%i$i&e it's use ulness by the reader and yet be $ore ecologically e icient. ( DWB o ers so$e o the eatures o a PD) publication# but with $ore security and le%ibility than a traditional PD) or hard co!er publication. * The publication is locked to the +e$ber website or instant upgrades and in or$ation * ,a$e copyright protection * +a%i$u$ tracking o -ser locations * .uick ,earch o publication database * Printing o te%t or personal use * Print only the pages you need. /o paper waste * Printing o photos and diagra$s or personal use * +ake notations in DWB or PD) * ,a!e as PD) * 0ersion changes1 I$$ediate access daily or weekly * .uestions and Co$$ents access to sta * )(. updates1 I$$ediate access * ( "Green" publication1 /o paper and no pollution ro$ shipping
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Legal Information
Container Technology (*2 3 4565 by GreenCube /etwork# Inc. * 057.55 (dapted ro$ I,B- (ssociation research# $e$bers# and docu$ents 3 4558*4565. (ll rights reser!ed. /o part o this publication can be reproduced or utili&ed in any or$# either by any electronic# digital# $echanical# or any other $eans without the legally written consent o the publisher. (dditional copyrighted $aterials1 (ll photos and diagra$s herein are the legal property o GreenCube /etwork and I,B- (ssociation unless otherwise noted as credits per photo# diagra$ or or 9uotation. :diting# co$$entary# graphics and diagra$s by GreenCube Publishing sta . GreenCube Publishing 4765 Warren (!enue ,uite ;;<8 Cheyenne# W= >4556 -,( ;58.444.<>;? http1@@www.greencubepublishing.co$
Digital Work Book (DWB) is an ecological publishing concept developed by the GreenCube Publishing, division of the GreenCube et!ork"
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Introduction
This publication is 0ersion 7.5 o a co$pilation o $any key container $anu acturers# distributors# builders# DI= builders# architects# engineers# building inspectors# shipping co$panies# and leasing co$panies. The in or$ation spans the research# inter!iews and e%perience ro$ 455? to present. +uch has been learnedA so $uch has changed. We ha!e so$e terri ic Corporate +e$bers who ha!e been key to assisting us with in or$ation and people to inter!iew. We look orward to your participation. =ou 9uestions and co$$ent are another key to the in or$ation this will contain as it grows each $onth and each year. /ot e!eryone $ay appro!e with what we present here because it so$e goes against so$e strong misconceptions, howe!er we belie!e we ha!e inter!iewed enough pro essionals and participated in signi icant hands*on to eel con ident o the contents o this Bi&Guide. Thanks or your interest and support# ISBU Association Staff
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Understanding Shipping Containers & ISBU
A brief overview of the ISBU container industry and trends In The Beginning (container architecture)
The only discussion and in or$ation here will be regarding the group o shipping containers na$e "Dry" shipping containersA 45'# <5'# <7'# etc. These are the $ore co$$only used containers which beco$e I,B- $odules or storage and construction proBects. +ost other types# including the "Cee ers" are not actually suitable or building and construction purposes. The "Cee er"# howe!er is widely used or re rigerated storage units# both te$porary and per$anent. This is not $eant to be a co$plete history o the "shipping container"# rather a brie co$$entary on the container itsel and why there is so $uch con usion regarding so$e o its design# architecture and ra$e construction. D,ee ,hipping Container EistoryF (s with an auto$obile or $ost any other product there are design and structural changes ro$ year to year and decade to decade. Because the container is belie!ed to be an I,G standard ew people reali&e it's structural !ariations o!er the years or e!en since 4555. (lthough containers are 9uite standard in ra$e and architecture since 4555# all pre!ious years ro$ about 6H8< were what is called "I,G@I+G ,tandard" also1 height# width# length# strength tests# inspection procedure# certi ication plates# plate design# and $arkings. The corrugation shapes# designs# and certain rein orce$ent areas can !ary greatly
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and cause $uch con usion with architects and designers. The $ost co$$on e%a$ple $aybe the side corrugation panelsA so$e angled# and so$e s9uared. (nother co$$on con usion is in the roo . ,o$e ha!e the raised oblong o!al sta$p design while so$e o the older $odels are 9uite lat and ha!e s$all cross$e$ber supports. (lthough $ore difficult to !ork !ith, even these older designs !ith
cross#e#bers in the roof #eet the $%& standards" The Surplus Myth
It $ay be so$ewhat shocking or an organi&ation pro$oting the use o shipping containers and I,B- type construction to $ake a co$$ent that the "surplus hype" o 455? and 4558 was so$ewhat o a $yth. The reality is this. The "surplus concept" that was spread by the news $edia# "copy I pasted" by nu$erous websites and certain other people and groups was greatly o!er blown. We are thank ul# howe!er# since the hype and slight $isin or$ation has brought awareness to the use o one o the "greenest" and $ost !ersatile "construction building blocks" in decades. ...thank God we were !icti$s o this hype too or the I,B- (ssociation would not ha!e been or$ed.. It was only in early 455> as the I,B- (ssociation began to really grow and beco$e better connected with shipping co$panies# distributors and building contractors# that we ully began to reali&e $ost o the large stacks and stores o containers around the ports in the -.,. and globally were standard and nor$al in!entories which were needed or the shipping trade to do business. By $id 455> the hype and cost o steel $anu acturing !irtually depleted all in!entories globally e%cept or so$e slow $o!ing "!intage" containers.
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=es# they are the per ect green housing# storage and construction building blocks1 655J recyclable# strong# sustainable# non*to%ic and nearly indestructible# But "surplus"# e%cepting or so$e brie $o$ents when the $aBor shipping co$panies and lease owners were retiring so$e old in!entory and buying new# but there was !ery little surplus anywhere.
Understanding The Stacks
:!erything has in!entory ready or use1 * (uto$obiles ha!e stores o in!entory in certain geographic areas to ill orders. * )ood and agriculture products ha!e stores o in!entory. * +ost businesses ha!e in!entories o bo%es olded up and ready to ill and ship orders. But shipping containers are $uch larger# $ulticolored and less attracti!e so they are $ore noticeable than other in!entories. ( thousand shipping containers $ust be i$$ediately a!ailable to ill surge orders. There ore they $ust si$ply sit and wait or weeks or $onths until actories and shippers are ready or that une%pected surge. I$agine i they were not sitting in the correct area when they were needed. Eow $any weeks would it take to get hundreds or thousands o containers to the proper port or areaK There needs to be a certain in!entory in e!ery port# city and area so they can be a!ailable or shipping and transportation surges. That is not surplusL +ost shipping co$panies and lease operators recycle and replace older containers e!ery 8*65 years. Because o that# there will be brie $onths o e%cess containers a!ailable.
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Whether new or used# all I,G shipping containers and I,B- are "green" and ully recyclable.
ISO Standards vs. Trade Standards
The standards $entioned pre!iously regarding container strength and si&e are standards set by the I,G organi&ation and International +ariti$e Grgani&ation. Gther standards that see$ to be co$$on eatures on shipping containers are "$anu acturer" or "trade" standards. ISO/IMO Standards * (bsolute height# width# length * (bsolute strength tests * Inspection procedure * Certi ication plates# design# and $arkings !rade/"actor# Standards * Corrugation# wall# roo # and loor designs * Paints# pri$ers# and coatings * ,ealants * )looring $aterials * <5' looring and "gooseneck rein orce$ent" designs $%ample * (ny roo or wall corrugation design $ay be used as long as it $eets the I,G@I+G strength test. The corrugation pattern can be "w"# "!"# s9uare# round# o!al# etc. * (ny looring $aterial $ay be used as long as it $eets the I,G@I+G strength test.
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The $aterial $ay be plywood# apitong# birch# teak# $ahogony# ba$boo# $etal# EDP: plastics# or any co$posite (co$bination) thereo . There are se!eral !ariables in container construction as long as the strength tests and di$ensions are $eeting the I,G@I+G speci ications.
Trends: 2010
In 455># 455H# and again in 4565# I,B- construction has beco$e one the astest growing or$ o housing and storage construction in the -.,. and globally. That see$s to be a strong clai$ howe!er it is supported by acts and statistics ro$ the -.,. Eo$e Builders (ssociation# go!ern$ent studies# en!iron$ental organi&ations and our own e%perience since $id 4558. Green construction is growing twice as ast as con!entional construction# and the increase in actual I,B- technology storage and construction units is growing e!en aster. In 455> our I,B( +e$bership and sales o :ducational $aterials grew a $ini$u$ o 45J $onthly with surges o 655J about e!ery ; $onths. ...it ne!er declined e!en in one week during all 455>. Beginning /ew =ears Day 455H the I,B( +e$berships and :ducational Tool sales e%ploded by <55J and has not declined any week in 455H since it's e%plosion in Manuary. In Manuary 4565 it is e%actly 455J o 455H. The "trend" is Green construction. The astest growing Green construction globally is I,B- based construction.
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The building contractors and architects that are sur!i!ing right now are those pro$oting I,B- technology. ...new constructionA add on constructionA storage units. In 455> there were only about 655 I,B- ho$es or o ices under construction. In )ebruary 455H we ha!e !ery credible reports ro$ our I,B( +e$bers are already to o!er 4555 units Bust in the -.,. alone. These are acts... The use o I,B- $odules or all uses has increased greatly in the past two $onths. /ot Bust housing# o ices and cabins# but uni9ue storage# $obile e9uip$ent syste$s# e%po and trade show booths# $obile ood syste$s# ood and agri*cellars# etc. This econo$y has sti$ulated $uch creati!ity and interest toward the I,Btechnology application.
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Mis&Information
Below are a few of most concerning concepts and myths. Old !ncepts" Myths" and #e$ Techn!l!gy
Possibly the $ost di icult part o I,B- construction is all the "bad" in or$ation out there regarding the$# their construction# and their $odi ication procedures. There are a $ountain o books# news articles and internet blogs with absolutely inaccurate in or$ation. The $isin or$ation is not only costly but $uch o it is actually 9uite dangerous. We will na$e $uch o this in or$ation "+yths". Gne o the best de initions o the word "$yth" is1 "+yths are stories that are based on tradition. ,o$e $ay ha!e actual origins# while others are co$pletely ictional or based on old belie s# research or technology". M#th '( ,hipping containers beco$e rusty old bo%es. Correction These co$$ents are usually based on e%tre$e photos and sightings o !ery old and poorly $aintained and abused shipping containers. * An# )ood $aterial can age and deteriorate pre$aturely when unprotected in certain en!iron$ents. * An# concrete $aterial can age and cru$ble pre$aturely when unprotected in certain en!iron$ents. * An# stainless steel $aterial can rust and corrode pre$aturely unprotected in certain en!iron$ents. * An# metal or steel $aterials can rust and corrode pre$aturely when unprotected in certain en!iron$ents.
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"act (ny unpainted piece o $etal in a $oist en!iron$ent can rust and corrode. Eowe!er# $ost "rusty" containers we see are !ery old# abused# $oist and unpainted. (lthough Corten (Cor*ten) steel is a tough and $ore durable steel# it too can be abused and deteriorate pre$aturely especially when standing in water. Generally# "Corten steel" is sel healing and only "o%idi&es" and not really rust or corrode. G%idation is o ten con used with rusting. In a nor$al en!iron$ent an unpainted# e%posed piece o Corten steel with turn the orange*red rusty color but ne!er rust or corrode like nor$al steel. When coated with an epo%y paint or coating a piece o Corten steel or shipping container can ha!e a near eternal li e span. When you see a standard shipping container used or transportation# you are looking at a steel bo% that is $o!ed# banged# scraped# seriously abused and o ten ti$es not re painted properly. =es# it can rust and corrode !ery pre$aturely. But when you take that sa$e container or use as an I,B- storage or construction $oduleA prepare# pri$er# and coat it with an epo%y or elasto$eric paint based coating# it will not $o!e# get banged# scraped# or abused like a transport container does. Co$paring the abuse o a shipping container sur ace to the sur ace o a non $o!able I,B- is absolutely "apples and oranges".
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M#th '* ,hipping containers are hot o!ens. Correction (ny un insulated cubical# shed or ho$e can beco$e a hot o!en. =es# un*treated $etal can absorb heat but when the proper blend o non*to%ic Cera$ic spheres are added the the paint or coating o a shipping container# the $etal beco$es e!en cooler in direct sun than wood or other $aterials. D,ee Cera$ic CoatingsF When insulated according to standard Building Codes# the te$perature o an I,Bwill re$ain as stable as any other building or storage acility# especially i it is also coated with the low cost Cera$ic $aterial. M#th '+ ,hipping containers can be buried underground because o their strength. Correction (bsolutelyL ...i done properly. But $ost people do not do this properly in calculating the earth weight or I,B- structural loads and i done i$properly can be !ery dangerous. D,ee Cellars I Cold ,torageF M#th ', ,hipping containers are di icult to $odi y and work with. Correction (bsolutely untrueL When cutting with a si$ple "Plas$a Torch"# a nor$al person can cut# re$o!e and $odi y a container easier and $ore accurately than when cutting wood or sheet rock wall and ceilings. (dding rein orce can be done with standard welding e9uip$ent# and adding windows and doors to an I,B- is the the sa$e as adding windows and doors to con!entional construction. =ou will either use a steel ra$e or wood ra$e. M#th '- ,hipping containers can be crisscrossed and o!erlapped on top o each other. Correction CautionL This is one o the $ost co$plicated and dangerous
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construction designs you could e!er atte$pt with an I,B-. =es# it "can" be done but crisscrossing and o!erlapping greatly increases the cost o the proBect due to the need o rein orce$ent# engineering certi ications and co$pliance with local building codes $akes these designs and use 9uite un*realistic. This is not to be con used with the nor$al stacking o containers. This co$$ent is relating to the crisscross and o!erlapping o containers only# and they $ust be properly rein orced. D,ee Basic Plans# Designs I Con igurationsF M#th '. Ce rigerator shipping containers can be used in I,B- building construction. Correction This is not necessarily correct and will not be atte$pted by an e%perienced designer or builder. The $ore co$$on ter$ or these are "Cee ers". These re rigerated shipping containers are !ery well $ade and designed or cooling or ree&ing. ...but only as single# uncut units. They are e%cellent or transport# te$porary# or e!en per$anent storage units. But these should not be cut# $odi ied# connected and integrated into other construction. It is di icult# not cost e ecti!e# and will usually re9uire additional engineering e%penses. -se in ho$e@o ice construction is not reco$$ended. When used or single or $ultiple "re rigeration" units they can be an e%cellent choice. Coating the$ with a Cera$ic paint# or Cera$ic additi!e to the paint is highly reco$$ended.
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Understanding !he !rade
Understanding the shipping container and ISBU trades !ntainer Manu%acturers
( shipping container $anu acturer is generally an independent actory producing shipping containers or the shipping co$panies and leet leasing operators. They $anu acture the containers to the color and speci ication o the shipping or leet operator# then add their logoA ...(PN# +aersk# 2i$$# O*Nine# Te%tainer# etc. +ost large shipping co$panies and leet leasing co$panies ha!e their containers $ade in China where about H5J o all shipping containers in the world are $ade. CI+C has been the largest $anu acturer in China since the early 4555's but in 4558 they began loosing $uch business to independents in both China and Thailand. :!en as late as the ourth 9uarter o 455> the 9uality control issues with CI+C were orcing custo$ers to lea!e and support the s$all but better $anaged co$petition. CI+C is a !ery large and well inanced go!ern$ent corporation but their business ethic and 9uality control has beco$e a bigger issue than botto$ line pricing. ( ew co$panies such as +aersk and EanBin ha!e began their own actories to produce the $ain 45' and <5' containers. )oreign owned co$panies such as )le%* Bo% ha!e beco$e !ery success ul as I,B- $anu acturers due to the act they are :uropean owned e!en though they $anu acture in China. We think this trend toward s$aller independent actories will continue or so$e ti$e to co$e.
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(lthough a ew containers are $anu actured in Thailand and :urope# China will no doubt re$ain the hub o all container $anu acturing and ship building or $any decades due to the lower cost o steel production and steel recycling. We $ust note1 :!en though the shipping co$panies and leet owners all use !irtually the sa$e actories# each co$pany has it's own particular designs and speci ications not Bust the uni9ue colors or logo. (lthough "all" co$panies $anu acture to the $ini$u$ I,G@I+G standards these shipping co$panies and leet owners speci y certain rein orce$ents# looring# paints# coatings and corrugation designs they eel are better or wear and longe!ity. "(ll" shipping containers and I,B- $ust co$ply with the $ini$u$ I,G@I+G standards but so$e co$panies wish to e%ceed the standards or $aintenance and $arketing reasons.
Shipping !&panies
It's i$portant to understand the layers and le!els o ownership and distribution in the I,B-@shipping container industry. The ,hipping co$panies are not the only $anu acturers and owners o shipping containers. ( shipping co$pany is the actually shipper and ship owner. These are co$panies such as O*Nine# EanBin# 2i$# +aersk# :!ergreen# Eyundai# Cosco# GGCN# etc. They ha!e their containers $ade to their own speci ication then ship the$# $aintain the$# lease the$ and then sell the$ when the ti$e is right.
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When is the ti$e rightK It really depends. ,o$eti$es the ti$e is when a container is 8 years oldA so$eti$es it's when they ha!e too $any containers in a certain portA so$eti$es it's only a ter one trip to an inland destination and the cost o returning it to a port isn't easible. ,hipping co$panies $ay sell their used containers directly# howe!er they pre er to sell to e9uip$ent dealers who will buy the$ in 9uantities o hundreds or thousands at a ti$e. /GT:1 In the shipping industry the ter$ or shipping containers and I,B- is "e9uip$ent". :%a$ple1 Container :9uip$ent Dealers
'leet O$ners
( leet owner can be either a ,hipping co$pany or a Container lessor.

!ntainer (ess!rs
+ost people don't reali&e the role o Container lessors. These are usually !ery large co$panies who $anu acture containers Bust like a shipping co$pany# then either lease the$ out or sell the$. There custo$ers are shipping co$panies and so$eti$es large actories. Must as a shipping co$pany# the Container lessors $ay retire their containers in 8 years or whene!er they ha!e a surplus in a certain area. Container lessors are co$panies such as ($ icon# C(I# Cronos# )le%i*0an# )lorens# G: ,eaco# Gold# ,eacastle# Te%tainer# Trac# Tal# and Triton.
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(bout 75J o the worlds shipping containers are owned by Container lessors. Container leasing co$panies are seldo$ known sources or larger 9uantities o shipping containers.
)ep!ts
The "Depot" has $any unctions. The depots are in e!ery country and port globally and they do work or $ost all the ,hipping co$panies and Container lessors. They $ight be considered the "truck stops" o the shipping industry. ( depot is where a shipping container is repaired# $aintained# inspected and and o ten recycled. ( depot is o ten a good source or container parts and older shipping containers that the shipping co$panies and leasing co$panies no longer want. Depots sell $any di erent grades and 9ualities o shipping containers and also can sell newer# good 9uality containers Bust like :9uip$ent dealers. Depots are o)ned /# * shipping co$panies * so$e are owned by Container lessors * so$e depots such as ConGlobal are independently owned and do contract work or $any other global co$panies.
!ntainer *+uip&ent )ealers ,ISBU )ealers-
The ter$ "e9uip$ent" does not necessarily $ean parts or accessories# but generally $eans the shipping container itsel . The trade ter$ or a shipping container or I,B- is called "e9uip$ent".
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(n e9uip$ent dealer can be a ,hipping co$pany or Container lessor or an independent e9uip$ent dealer. (ll o these type sources can o er solutions or so$eone buying containers. 0irtually all ,hipping co$panies and Container lessors ha!e their own separate :9uip$ent sales di!isions. ,o$e o these co$panies ha!e e%clusi!e distributors which sell and distribute their new and used e9uip$ent which includes shipping
containers and I,B-. There can be $any distribution le!els o containers and I,B- Bust as with cars or any other product. +ost container e9uip$ent dealers sell 6555 or $ore annually.
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ISBU !echnologies
The number of ISBU technologies are endless. Below are a few of the most popular ISBU technologies .reen u/es
The na$e GreenCubeP has beco$e a copyrighted na$e and trade$ark o the I,B(ssociation. It presently represents an o!erall concept o the I,B- container technology. The na$e e%e$pli ies the uni9ue ability o an I,B- to be a nucleus o !arious "Green" construction technologies.
*nergy u/es
The na$e :nergyCubeP has beco$e a copyrighted na$e and trade$ark o the I,B- (ssociation. We belie!e the :nergyCube technology will soon beco$e one o the $ost widely used I,B- products ne%t to storage units. We are in the process o writing and de!eloping co$plete in or$ation and engineering to be releases !ery soon.
0rtistic 0rchitecture 1 Structures
(lthough the I,B- i$age is growing into that o a "super ra$e" or con!entional construction# storage# housing and other technologies# it will always be a popular tool or artists and designers in it's pure# rustic or$. The eature o it's corrugated shape and also the o%idi&ing properties o the Corten steel $ake it an endless and le%ible obBect or architectural designers and artists.
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2!&es" O%%ices 1 0dditi!ns
We strongly encourage the use o I,B- as the $ain ra$e and building blocks or con!entional housing# o ices and roo$ additions or ho$e or o ice re$odeling. During this di icult econo$ic ti$es re$odeling and redecorating o older ho$es will be $ore realistic than new ho$e construction. The addition o a "Green" add on roo$ or a "super tu " ,a e Coo$ $ay be $uch easier to sell to the consu$er than new ho$e construction during the ne%t two years.
3!rksh!ps" .arages 1 3areh!uses
Gther I,B- concepts to consider during the econo$ic correction o 455H and 4565 is the construction o ho$e workshops and garages. (lthough a ho$e owner $ay not ha!e the ability to sell or buy a new ho$e# the addition o a workshop or garage $ay satis y so$e o the urges to sell. These low cost proBects now can also add $ore !alue to the real estate when the global econo$y is stronger. ,o$e businesses are co$$enting that so$e o their e%pansion is on hold because o the lack o unds or inancing. (dditional o ice space or warehousing is $uch $ore econo$ical and realistic using I,B- concepts.
a/ins 1 *&ergency 2!using
The de!elop$ent and e$ergency housing $odules and rapid abrication concepts are still necessary in !irtually e!ery country globally. /atural disasters are an endless reality and their a!ailability will always be needed and pro itable. We irst wrote these words in 455># and in 4565 they continue to be e%tre$ely rele!ant.
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We are surprised to see a growing interest in cabins and s$all recreational ho$es by new I,B( +e$bers since Manuary 455H. :!idently the econo$ic conditions are creating 9uite an interest in second ho$es and cabins on recreational property. We see I,B- cabins are !ery realistic trend.
St!rage Units
It $ay be di icult or $ost o us to co$prehend but e!en though ew I,B- based ho$es were actually built and constructed in the -.,. and Canada during 4558 and 455> there were still $ore than 45#555 I,B- sold or use as portable and per$anent storage units. This $ay be a !ery low igure but it is based upon reports reports ro$ our I,B( +e$bers. <5#555 could be an e!en $ore realistic igure. I you are interested in a !ery solid in!est$ent# a $obile storage business or storage center using I,B- is possibly one o the best short and long ter$ in!est$ents a!ailable. I things really get tough or business plans change you $ay always sell or easily li9uidate your storage units $ade o I,B-. Gur $ain distributors e%pect 4565 to be an e!en bigger year or the sale and use o I,B- or ho$e# o ice# and co$$ercial storage units.
Bi4 5!ds
The use o I,B- or e9uip$ent housing and $obile trade show displays appears to beco$ing another !ery big trend# both near the end o 455># 455H# and e!en $ore in 4565. We'!e recei!ed $any orders or C(D drawings ro$ co$panies who design and $anu acture $obile trade show units# $obile kitchens# and housing or !arious types o $obile e9uip$ent.
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I you are a designer or building contractor and ha!e not in!estigated these $arkets you $ay be $issing out on so$e !ery pro itable trends or 4565 and beyond.
Tech 5!ds
The use o I,B- or technology shells is possibly one o the astest growing trends in 455H. In 4565 we e%pect to see actual use o this I,B- technology to e!en surpass the use o I,B- in ho$e construction. The I,B- shell beco$es the durable# per$anent protecti!e ho$e or e9uip$ent and technologies. They can be shipped easilyA be locally transportedA easily re* locatedA and the I,B- pro!ides a strong# per$anent housing. e%a$ples o these per$anent technology shells are the housing or data centers# cleaning e9uip$ent# $edical labs# waste processing# re rigerators# and ree&ers# high tech cleaning e9uip$ent# and energy syste$s. The use o I,B- or "shell technologies" is absolutely endless.
Base&ents" 6!!t cellars" Sa%er!!&s" and 3ine cellars
We ha!e recei!ed $any# $any in9uiries regarding I,B- or underground uses. W(C/I/GL W(C/I/GL It can absolutely be acco$plished# /ut $ust be done properly and with the appro!al o a co$petent engineer. We see $any co$$ents on the internet in oru$s and blogs with e%tre$ely dangerous in or$ation# and 9uite rankly we doubt so$e o the co$$ents ro$ persons who ha!e supposedly buried the$# 000/ut it can /e done0
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In contrast# there are al)a#s one or t)o c#nics who say burying a container unit cannot be done# or is not easible. This si$ply isn't true. The $aBority o pro essional engineers know that using a container or base$ents# root cellars# sa eroo$s# or wine cellars is not only easible but has $any bene its o!er other type construction. *When done properly* ind an engineer who is a positive thin!ing professional.... We are in the process o publishing a Ceport entitled "Thinking Deep" and it will include suggestions and tips ro$ success ul proBects we ha!e !isited and also or$ structural engineers we'!e hired to ad!ise us. Please wait or the publication and@or consult a structural engineer be ore atte$pting to use I,B- underground.
5er&anent !r Te&p!rary
Building Per$its and licensing ha!e beco$e one o the biggest proble$s our +e$bers are acing# especially in the -,# Canada and (ustralia. Gne o the biggest proble$s is as si$ple as beginning the proBect "without" proper per$its or without getting the proper in or$ation and re9uire$ents in ad!ance. ,uch issues would cause proble$s with any type construction proBect but the newer non*con!entional housing types especially aggra!ate the situation. Please re!iew the "(ppro!al Ceport"# then re!iew the updates regularly. We began co$piling this report or the purpose o assisting our +e$bers and also Building Inspectors# architects# engineers and lenders. In the irst 65 days o the report being published we recei!ed !ery $uch response and so$e 9uite signi icant changes in the standardi&ation o I,B- certi ications
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ha!e resulted. This will beco$e an enor$ous asset or Building Inspectors and architects. Whether your proBect is per$anent or te$poraryA housing or storage unitsA !irtually e!ery country has so$e type per$it re9uire$ent. In the -,# Building Per$its are airly consistent ,tate to ,tate# howe!er Per$its or te$porary or per$anent storage units can !ary greatly. +ost per$itting or storage units is not co$plicated and o ten not e!en necessary or te$porary use. (!oid serious costs and proble$s by getting in or$ation ro$ you local city or country irst. Oeep the con!ersations si$pleA re er to the units as I,B- or pre ab steel $odules and not shipping containersA ad!ise the$ o the "(ppro!al Ceport" and the new go!ern$ent I,B- Inspection guidelines were published +arch 67# 455H. (see Ceports1 Getting (ppro!ed)
1O!$ Storage Units In $ost o the -, and probably other countries# a "storage unit" or "$obile storage unit" or ho$e or business only needs a si$ple Per$it and can o ten re$ain or $any years i used Bust or storage. Gbtaining the per$its to place the units are ine%pensi!e and easily to obtained. In $any areas per$its are not e!en necessary. Please check to be certain# but don't a!oid.
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2our 3lans and Designs
A discussion of common errors and problems that can be avoided in the design, preparation, and approval of your pro"ects. The Biggest Mistakes
This section will be updated regularly as we hear eedback ro$ our +e$bers. This particular section and topic will only be e ecti!e i we ha!e good eedback ro$ our +e$bers. 3resentl# the most common errors are * I$proper cleaning and paint preparation. * I$proper approach to obtain Building Per$its. * I$proper cutting and $odi ications without rein orce$ent. * :ngineering consultation in the designing phase.
.etting 0ppr!ved and Inspected
(lthough it is co$$only belie!ed the International Building Code (IBC) is consistent globally it is si$ply not reality. In the -.,. or any other country certain aspects o building codes can !ary with e!ery city# state# county# pro!ince# and ward. ,o how do you prepare or constructionK
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1O!$ 4lo/al 3ro5ect Information It is not possible for #any# person, boo!, or organi$ation to provide complete information for planning and building a home or office in all geographic areas of any country or even every state or province. The local conditions and personalities vary too much from city to city, county to county and province to province. The best our organi&ation# or any other organi&ation can atte$pt do is to gi!e you accurate tips on how to get this in or$ation and the appro!al o your proBect easiest in your locality. We ha6e attempted to assist and educate our Mem/ers in (7 6er# 8e# categories 6) -nderstand the characteristics and speci ications o an I,B4) Onow how to choose a sa e# good 9uality I,B;) Eow to choose an I,B- dealer or other source <) (ccurate architectural drawings# $aterials and di$ensions 7) Physical strengths o the basic I,B- be ore it is cut or $odi ied ?) Basic building code in or$ation# tips and co$parisons 8) Certi ication in or$ation to protect you and also to assist your local Building Inspector and 2oning Depart$ent. >) Basic designs and plans that are speci ic to I,B- construction H) Eow to get your structural $odi ications certi ied 65)-nderstanding how to adapt other Green and sustainable accessories
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3lease see the e%panded details and lin8s /elo) 6) Understand the characteristics and specifications of an ISBU Nink1 ,peci ications I $aterials (,ee Ceports1 Getting (ppro!ed) Nink1 (rchitectural drawings (,ee Tools section ) 4) 9no) ho) to choose a safe: good ;ualit# ISBU Nink1 Choosing =our Container Nink1 ,IC inspection and certi ication (,ee Ceports1 Getting (ppro!ed) ;) <o) to choose an ISBU dealer or other source Nink1 Choosing =our Container Nink1 GreenCube /etwork Directory Nink1 Wholesale Contacts (corporate $e$bers only) <) Accurate architectural dra)ings: materials and dimensions Nink1 (rchitectural drawings (,ee Tools section ) 7) 3h#sical strengths of the /asic ISBU /efore it is cut or modified Nink1 ,peci ications I $aterials (,ee Ceports1 Getting (ppro!ed) ?) Basic /uilding code information: tips and comparisons Nink1 Getting (ppro!ed Ceport 8) Certification information to protect #ou and also to assist #our local Building Inspector and 2oning Depart$ent. Nink1 Getting (ppro!ed Ceport
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>) Basic designs and plans that are specific to ISBU construction Nink1 Basic Plans# Designs I Con igurations Nink1 ;D Designs1 ;?5Q H) <o) to get #our structural modifications certified Nink1 )inding ( Pro essional 65) Understanding ho) to adapt other 4reen and sustaina/le accessories Nink1 GreenCubes Nink1 Green :nergy
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Choosing 2our Container
A discussion of common errors and problems that can be avoided in the design, preparation, and approval of your pro"ects. .rades 1 7ualities
During our irst year we had been atte$pting to obtain guidelines ro$ the container trade that ha!e all containers and I,B- standardi&ed# howe!er there see$ to be too $any !ariables in grading the$. We o ten ind certain container dealers creating their own ter$inology or the !arious grades. Below is a best e ort grading syste$ without getting too co$plicated. We ha!e li$ited it to our categories# howe!er there can be $uch aesthetic !ariation within each category. 1e)& It see$s ob!ious that "new" is new and direct ro$ the actory. Eowe!er "Gne Trip" containers are also considered new by $any dealers and distributors. Truly new is a container direct ro$ the actory and shipped to it's destination e$pty. That is true new. One !rip& ( "one trip" is a container that has only been shipped once# ... ro$ the actory to one destination. These are technically and ethically "new" containers i they are truly one trip. The proble$ is that so$e dealers ha!e been known to ha!e a super clean container in good condition that $ay ha!e had $ultiple trips# but try to sell the$ as "one trip" containers.
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Why is this truth i$portant i the container is still in e%cellent conditionK Because a truly "one trip" container is generally absolutely clean and ree o any possible conta$inants or spills. The only reason this is i$portant is i you are e%pecting to use the original loor and not replace it. ,o why is it co$$on to ship a "new" container to it's destination ully loadedK Why not Bust send it to it's destination e$ptyK The answer is costL I a new container is sent ro$ China to N( truly new and unloaded there will be the ob!ious shipping charges which can be ro$ R6?55* R;755 depending on it's ulti$ate -.,. destination. I the owner or buyer can arrange or the container to be illed in China with clean co$$on goods then the container will arri!e to it's destination !irtually ree. (ll shipping costs are borne by the co$pany who sent the goods. When it arri!es the container is still clean and strong but it has arri!ed without $ost shipping costs. (dditionally# i you are purchasing "new" containers ro$ a China actory or shipping co$pany they will still do e!erything possible to send the containers to the -.,. destination ully loaded so you will ha!e not added shipping charges. /ew# or truly "one trip" are the sa$e. =efur/ished & These units are !ery acceptable or any I,B- storage units or construction proBects. Ce urbished units can !ary in age. They $ay still ha!e so$e dents or light repair# howe!er they do not ha!e any rust or $aBor da$age. (dditionally they are coated
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with DT+ paint which $eans "Direct To +etal". This type paint and inishing can be critical to it's uture aging process. /ote1 /ot all I,B- proBect will need or want paint until they are $o!ed# cut welded and $odi ied. But i you are buying an I,B- and want the paint or longe!ity# be certain to ha!e the dealer guarantee the paint coating was actually DT+ paint. The $ain use or "painted" re urbished units are or I,B- that will be used or storage and not construction. Construction I,B- only need the paint coating a ter $odi ication is co$plete. "Ce urbished" I,B- are also usually inspected but all I,B-# new or used should ha!e the additional ",IC" inspection i they will be used or construction or storage. We belie!e this certi ication will beco$e the standard or architects# engineers# building inspectors# lenders# and insurance underwriters. >A> 4rade or >ASIS>& The trade ter$inology or these units is "(,I,". ,i$ply $eaning "(s Is" and with no warranty or $odi ications. Eere is one area o great con usion in the industry. ,ince "(" $eans top 9uality in $ost areas o business# "(" Grade or an I,B- or shipping container "does not" $ean top 9uality. (s you $ay guess# "(s Is" $eans take it as it is which can ha!e $any connotations. Don't be concerned. 0irtually all (,I, containers and $any Ce urbished containers ha!e the C,C Plates and identi ications re$o!ed. This is 9uite co$$on. The only i$portant ID is the CI/ code sta$ped inside.
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1ote Generally speaking# the "(,I," units are !ery# !ery acceptable or I,Bconstruction proBects because your containers will be cut and $odi ied be ore painting anyway. I the physical appearance is acceptable then also re9uest the container has the ",IC" certi ication and check to see i the CI/ code inside the container $atches the CI/ code on the ,IC certi ication. I an (,I, container passes a ,IC certi ication there is no reason to doubt is strength# 9uality and sa ety or use as a construction or storage I,B-.
Sh!uld 8!u Buy #e$ !r Used9
(lthough this 9uestion $ay see$ ob!ious to $ost people there are $any reasons to buy used# and $any reasons to buy new. It si$ply depends upon your end use. (ccording to our inter!iews and statistics# appro%i$ately 75J o all construction proBects globally were "new" containers. +uch o this is due to the larger proBects by such co$panies as Te$poEousing and 0erbus. Gthers that are new include the single "cabin type" I,B- which are 9uite popular globally. Wh# 1e)? The reality is# that e!en i an I,B- container is new and shipped e$pty there is still substantial cost sa!ings or the entire proBect o about 45* 47J and still built in record ti$e. It is di icult to argue with such acts when the end result is also a stronger building unit. Wh# Used? Ceducing local in!entories is not such an issue in 455> and 455H# but i the
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containers are a!ailable there is si$ply no reason or $ost builders to pay e%tra or a new unit. :!en i you choose to replace the looring the sa!ings is signi icant when you buy !ery use or e!en "one trip". 1e) Benefits * =ou know e%actly what you are getting. * =ou can ha!e $inor $odi ications $ade at the actory. * =ou can bring decor# urnishings and other supplies inside the new containers. * =ou are certain o a!ailability e!en i there is a local shortage o used. Used Benefits * Generally a sa!ings o R6555 to R;555 per unit. * :!en i you choose to always replace the plywood looring the cost is not signi icant. * =ou are assisting in keeping local container in!entories in balance. * +ost proBects do not need new or e!en e%cellent 9uality I,B- or their in rastructure. * +any proBects can e!en use the "!intage" or well used I,B- i the $ain ra$e is the only i$portance. * +ost used containers can be I,B- certi ied using the new ,IC certi ication $ethod and CI/ nu$bers. Depending on your end use or i you are also purchasing decor or building $aterials ro$ China both new and used will always ha!e a place in using I,B- technologies.
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!ntainer )ealers
The ter$ "Container Dealer" can also ha!e $any le!els and $eanings. ( container dealer can be dealer selling to the end user# or a dealer could e!en be a lease operator or shipping co$pany selling their own in!entory. Please note1 :!en i you think you are buying direct ro$ a shipper or lease operator does not $ean your are getting the lowest prices. +any dealers contract to buy hundreds and thousands annually an can ha!e o er you the best prices. It is $ost i$portant to deal with a dealer who knows what they are doingA ha!e e%perienceA and o er the proper certi ications without being pushed. I you are buying your I,B- ro$ a dealer who is an I,B- (ssociation $e$ber it is !ery unlikely you will ha!e any proble$s with the dealer# their e9uip$ent or ethic. I,B- (ssociation "dealers" $ust undergo a background check and signi icant re erences be ore they can ad!ertise or be reco$$ended as an I,B- dealer. Gb!iously we do not !eri y dealers and resellers who are not I,B- (ssociation $e$bers and we ha!e no way to !eri y their credentials and per or$ance. Whether you want to buy 6 or 6555A retail or wholesaleA buy ro$ a certi ied I,B(ssociation $e$ber.
!ntainer )ep!ts
The container depots are essential to the container industry and to the container owners and shipping co$panies. (lthough they ha!e $uch e%perience with containers $any dealers suggest the containers sold by the depots are o lesser 9uality.
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(lthough they deal $ostly in older and !ery used shipping containers# a depot does ha!e the ability to buy top 9uality containers or the shipping co$panies and lease operators Bust the sa$e as any other dealer. They also ha!e the ability to re urbish a container as well as a standard container dealer. I you choose to buy your containers ro$ a "depot" si$ply re9uest they pro!ide a ",IC" certi ication as you would with any other dealer. Check the CI/ code inside the container with the CI/ code listed on the C,C*ED inspection certi ication and there should be no other concerns with your transaction.
5rivate 5arties 'his is possibly the #ost difficult area" Private parties could be selling containers for a variety of reasons" &ur concern is that they certainly have less e(perience) less liability and responsibility in the course of a sale" *s as a !ord of caution++,ust because so#eone is a certified $%B* -e#ber .does not. #ean they are a .certified. $%B/ *ssociation .dealer." 'hose are t!o very separate processes and categories" + ever buy a container fro# a .Private party. !ithout seeing the container and !riting do!n the C$ code sta#ped inside the container" + *l!ays get a price !hich includes deliver unless you have the ability to haul it yourself" + Be certain the .Private party. has the ability to load the container onto your vehicle if you are hauling it yourself" + *l!ays re0uest a %$1 certification) have the certification verified) and check to see if the C$ code on the docu#ent #atches the code inside the container before paying for the unit(s)"
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Choosing A 3rofessional
It's i$portant to reali&e that you will need to ha!e pro essionals who reside or are licensed in your own local state or pro!ince. There is 9uite a $isconception that inding and engineer or architect who has e%perience so$ewhere else in the world or e!en in another state can work on your proBect. These pro essionals $ust reside in# or be licensed locally to ully understand your building codes and be appro!ed by your local inspectors. Eowe!er# a pro essional "outside" your area or e!en country $ay collaborate with your pro essional in your local area but the " inal sta$p"# architecture and engineering $ust co$e ro$ so$eone licensed to do business in your state or pro!ince. The architect and structural engineer are critical to your proBect and possibly $ore so than the general contractor (GC). +ost any GC can build an I,B- proBect i the engineering and architecture are done properly.
0rchitects
,eldo$ does an architect atte$pt to also do the engineering. +ost architects ha!e a structural engineer they work with to guide the$ in cutting# strengths# and $odi ications as they design the proBect. The architect needn't be a$ous to easily produce an e%cellent and beauti ul I,BproBect. The two $ost i$portant assets to a success ul architect and I,B- proBect are the architects creati!ity and their relationship with a 9uali ied structural engineer.
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With the proper guidance ro$ the engineer# an architect can create or integrate !irtually any design with I,B- $odules.
*ngineers
When we discuss engineers we are generally re erring to "structural engineers". (dditionally a structural engineer should ha!e e%perience in both steel engineering and steel*concrete rein orce$ent. In other parts o the (*2 Guide we will ha!e e%tensi!e in or$ation relating to cutting and $odi ying the I,B- in !arious ways. (ll o this is critical and $ust be done with the guidance o a structural engineer. ,ince the I,B( is only an organi&ation to support and pro$ote I,B- construction and technology we ha!e hired !ery 9uali ied "structural engineers" to guide us in writing the sections o our (*2 Guide regarding the I,B- ra$e# loads# $odi ications and re*certi ications. We are not writing this ad!ice blindly. Gne thing i$portant to noteA as with any pro ession# there are structural engineers to $ake calculations and gi!e ad!ice# then there are engineers who are !ery thorough be ore gi!ing the ad!ice. )ro$ our e%perience with engineers we ha!e paid to ad!ise us# we reali&e that not all are co$pletely thorough and $any suggest options and rein orce$ent calculations that are 9uite costly. It's i$portant to work with an engineer that gi!es co$plete# and cost e ecti!e e!aluations. We'!e had to work with $any to ind the ew with these i$portant characteristics. I$proper guidance ro$ the architect and engineer can o ten double the construction costs o your proBect.
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We are inding that so$e o the $ost !isible "container architects" in the news are $aking so$e o the biggest errors in I,B- construction# yet less a$ous architects are sailing through with ew proble$s. ,o $uch o this is due to the$ to either not seeking the proper engineering ad!ice# or not listening to the ad!ice. A good engineer is critical to your project! A good architect will associate themselves with a good engineer....
Building !ntract!rs
Certainly the building contractor or GC is also i$portant but the reason we put so $uch stress on the engineer is that without the proper engineering# strengths# and architect the G+ will always ha!e co$plications and usually ail. Gne o the $ost co$$on 9uestions we continue to recei!e is# "can you reco$$end a good building contractor in $y area"K The answer we continue to gi!e is# "!irtually an building contractor can construct and I,B- based proBect. The irst concerns should be the architect@engineer tea$. ( good contractor will ocus on 9uality and costs# but he irst needs the proper tools that only the engineer and architect can pro!ide.
!ntainer !nstructi!n !nsultant
BewareLL ,uddenly there are people ad!ertising the$sel!es as pro essionals called# SContainer Construction ConsultantsT. Be ore contracting with# or paying ees to such a person# be certain that he# or she actually has su icient e%perience to be a SConsultantT. Not everyone who has built a container home has done it correctly.
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(sk e%actly what they ha!e built# and what their Bob was during the process. Most important, ...ask for a list of clients and projects they have completed. Do not atte$pt to do business with any person who does not openly o er this type in or$ation.
(**) erti%ied
There is a continued e$phasis on "N::D Certi ied"K The pro essionals and also the proBect.... N::D is a Green building progra$ and Green rating syste$ co$$itted to pro$oting sustainable building practices. The N::D progra$ is under the direction o the -. ,. Green Building Council. /o $atter what type o pro essional you are# the wisest thing you could do right nowA this yearA is to beco$e N::D Certi ied. This is the trend and the uture. +ake yoursel !aluable... NI/O1 N::D Certi ication and in or$ation
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4reen Cu/es
A discussion of utili$ing the strength and abilities of an ISBU and to promote the use of other #%reen# and #Sustainable# technologies. *c! Insulati!ns and Ther&al !atings
There are only two type :co Insulations we presently reco$$end1 (@ Closed&Cell Spra# "oam insulation due to the ollowing properties1 * ,trength * /on polluting and non*to%ic * Water proo (used in boats and boat $arinas) * +ildew resistant * Co$pact * Nonge!ity * :%cellent bonding and sealant * (nti*condensation *@ Ceramic Coatings & 3aint insulation due to the ollowing properties1 * /on polluting and non*to%ic * +ildew resistant * )ire resistant * Co$pact * Nonge!ity * :%cellent bonding and sealant * (nti*condensation * Cost e ecti!e * -se le%ibility * ,ound absorbing
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1O!$ We do not reco$$end "Cera$ic Coatings" as a direct replace$ent or ,pray oa$ insulation. It is a !ery e icient and a cost e ecti!e booster or additi!e. +ay be used bene icially on sheds# storage or in housing in Third World countries which do no co$$only use insulations or ther$al coatings. I you are aware o other insulations that $eet the sa$e standards o the two insulation listed abo!e and are cost e ecti!e with good docu$entation please orward the in or$ation to our sta or re!iew.
.reen 6!!%
The Green Coo and Green Wall concepts are well adapted to I,B- construction proBects due to the basic strength and stability o both the roo and side wall o the I,B- $odules. WA=1I14A It is i$portant to re$e$ber the strength li$itations o the I,B- roo which can be seen in the "Getting (ppro!ed Ceport". The inner roo strength is 455U s9@ t and not the e%tre$e strength o the corner posts o the I,B-. The roo "(s Is" will only support grass or lowers and the supporting layers and rubber $e$branes including the light water weight. It will support that $uch o a Green Coo 9uite easily. I the I,B- roo will be used as a patio or balcony as well# then you should consult a structural engineer to reco$$end the proper rein orce$ents and ra$ing.
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'l!!ring 1 0ccess!ries
The looring o I,B- has beco$e a $uch debated issue. Whether to replace the 6.47" $arine hardwood loor with other looring depends on a ew actors. I the I,B- will be used or storage# shed or workshop it is no likely it would be necessary to replace the original loor. (t $ost it $ay need to be sanded and sealed. )or housing construction there are other actors to consider1 * Is the I,B- new or "Gne Way"K These loors should pose no concern whatsoe!er. * (re you absolutely certain it is sa e and not conta$inatedK ,hipping co$panies and depots are e%tre$ely care ul and keep any "to%ic" type containers !ery separated ro$ the basic shipping containers. =ou $ust reali&e they also ha!e liability concerns and these co$panies ha!e $any procedures in place to isolate containers that transport to%ic or dangerous $aterials. * Building Inspectors Whether the loor looks good or not# a local Building Inspector will usually re9uest new loors. ,IC inspections also re9uest new loors or no loors or this reason. (gain# or storage units there is little concern or need to replace the looring# but when using and I,B- or housing# o ices or cabins it is highly reco$$ended to replace all looring and clean and paint all sur aces well. The actual cost o replacing the loor with standard plywood is not signi icant. This is an e%cellent ti$e to add# not only the new looring# but we reco$$end adding loors $ade or Teak or Ba$boo or longe!ity.
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While Teak is so$ewhat rare and e%pensi!e# Ba$boo is ast beco$ing the ":co Wood" o choice since it is not only strong and sustainable but grows ast and cost e ecti!e in plantations.
3ater 1 3aste 6ecycling
(lthough any type housing can support water recycling and gray water treat$ent syste$s# the I,B- is well adapted to any o these syste$s due to its structural strength and adaptability or e9uip$ent. The strength and under ra$e o the I,B- $ake this a per ect ti$e to e%plore "Gray Water" syste$s and recycling technology.
.reen 2!uses 1 0triu&s
The super strength o an I,B- lends itsel well to its use as a Greenhouse or (triu$ shell. Certainly there are $any low cost (triu$ and Greenhouse ra$es on the $arket but the strength o an I,B- could also beco$e the ideal superstructure or this type architecture.
)or so$e other adaptable GreenCube ideas see the "Green :nergy" section.
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4reen $nerg#
The main types of %reen energy and how to use them with the ISBU technology *nergy u/es
Geo*air I ,olar*air (n :nergyCube is used in co$bination with SGeo (irT and S,olar (irT energy sources which are highly e icient# low initial cost# and !irtually $aintenance ree. ( special Ceport entitled ":nergyCubes" is in the inal stages. The research began in the )all o 455>. We are waiting or so$e graphics with C(D and e%pect to publish the Ceport soon . It is our pre$ise that a <5' I,B- can be con!erted to produce and store enough energy to supply $ore than 7555 s9@ t o heating@cooling which is up to one $illion BT- daily. This :nergyCube Ceport will be co$plete with $anu acturing instructions and docu$entation. (lso# the 4eo Air publication# SCitrus In The ,now is a!ailable now. =ou can read about it in the SCeports I Bi&GuidesT area o the +e$ber website. The Geo*air greenhouse produces oranges# le$ons#grapes and other ruits year around in sub*&ero cli$ate with no additional heating or cooling e%pense# Bust the cost o a circulating an. The sa$e concept is used or heating ho$es and o ices.
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1O!$ (s you $ay ha!e already reali&ed# the use o "Green :nergy" is not restricted to I,Bconstruction howe!er we ha!e chosen to include the topics si$ply to rein orce to our +e$bers the urgency and and !alue o Green :nergy. (dditionally# so$e o these products are well adapted due to the strength o I,B- construction. +oreo!er# we want to use these areas to include i$portant in or$ation and links or you since we belie!e strongly in their i$portance right now. I you ha!e technology in or$ation you would like us to add please orward it or our re!iew.
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S!lar 2eating
,olar :nergy1 ,olar Collectors
,olar heating is one o the $ost !iable or$s o Green energy right now. It is e%tre$ely cost e ecti!e and e icient co$pared to other or$s o Green energy.
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,i$ply# we are re erring to $etal tubes illed with either li9uid or air which !ery 9uickly absorb the heat ro$ the sun. The heated li9uid or air can either be stored or used direct. When using li9uid a heat e%changer is necessary to trans er the heat to another or$. We will e%pand this particular Green energy or$ as we introduce our :nergyCubes since we ha!e in!estigated and e!en de!eloped so$e !ery cost e ecti!e*e icient ,olar collectors to integrate into the :nergyCube syste$. (ll solar energy syste$s are ob!iously dependent on the 9uality o sunlight to unction.
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S!lar 5anels
,olar :nergy1 Photo!oltaics -nlike standard ",olar Collectors" which use the suns heat# a ,olar Panel is generally re erring to a group o Photo!oltaic solar cells which actually con!ert the suns rays directly to electricity which can be used directly or stored in an array o batteries or use when the sun light is gone. This type o ,olar energy is e%pensi!e initially but !ery cost e ecti!e o!er a 65 or 67 year period o ti$e. (n I,B- or I,B- ho$e has the strength to utili&e this type Green energy without the need o rein orce$ent. These P0 solar panels also are $anu actured in si&es appro%i$ately 4'%<' which adapt well to a single or $ultiple I,B- housing unit. The .ube*;?5 :co*Green design is one concept that uses the roo s strength directly e!en though it is raised and tilted.
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3ind 5!$er
Wind energy has see$ed to us as a !ery positi!e and cost e ecti!e energy source# howe!er it really has $ore li$itations than ,olar and we'!e done $uch irst hand research be ore concluding this. ...we really wanted wind energy to be a !iable option. The biggest drawbacks are si$ply "lack" o enough wind in residential areas where the ho$es are. :!en in rural areas there isn't enough wind unless the wind turbine tower is e%tre$ely high or in a !ery long open !alley or near a canyon. We# as well as others# see these s$all wind turbines on sail boats and think we can do that at ho$e on the side o the garage. The reality is there is 65 or 45 ti$es $ore wind anywhere near the beach or on the ocean. ( residential area cannot generate enough $o!e$ent. ,econdly# we'!e all seen these wonder ul "concept" drawings on the internet with shipping container ho$es and a wind$ill on top. (s with $ost "concept" architecture and ho$e drawings they are the "cool" ideas by an architect who didn't do his research. Below is an actual test o a Wind turbine on a <5' I,B-. This was thought through !ery well and done !ery pro essionally and correct. Gur greatest concern was the probability o !ibration when the rotor was spinning. In reality# that was "not" an issue at all. (s you can see in the photos# at the suggestion o an engineer# the roo was well rein orced with a 6%>"steel tube on the roo # then eye bolts to attach the support cables.
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The proble$ ca$e when tightening the support cables and the downward pressure on the center o the roo was still $ore than calculated. It's unctioning well# howe!er there is a !ery slight sag in the roo .
Photo: ISBU Association
( ter the act# the sa$e engineer suggests it should ha!e been supported by two s$all parallel "I" bea$s or $a%i$u$ per or$ance.
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:!en so# our conclusion is that any ho$e or roo with a Wind turbine is destined or proble$s. The potential proble$s would be1 !ibration sooner or later and not enough height or good wind current. ( better solution1 (n abo!e ground per$anent or $obile :nergy Cube or e$ergencies or re$ote housing. The Cube would "only" be to generate and house energy. The secure cube (s) could house solar energy o both types# plus a $obile Wind turbine on the sa$e :nergy Cube unit. This would allow or all electrical in!erters# e9uip$ent and storage batteries to be housed in one con!enient location. There ore the proble$ o rein orcing the roo with s$all additional "I" bea$s is not the real issue# but that a total "energy solution" should ha!e it's own housing unit i one chooses to utili&e a Wind turbine. This Green :nergy option is only reco$$ended or windy prairie# $ountain passes or coastal e%posure. 1O!$ We are !ery $uch in support o Wind :nergy# howe!er it is our opinion that at this ti$e it $ay only be e icient and realistic with the large# tall wind turbines in a network such as T. Boone Pickens is organi&ing. We are hope ul or new technology that will ha!e the ability to capture slower $o!ing air or residential use.
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Bi!:%uels
The o!erall "Bio uel" concept is not one that we will continue to pursue at this ti$e. (lthough it see$ed to be an interesting concept all these years to utili&e certain starch based crops and un*used ar$ land# it already appears the interest in these type Bio uels has already created global econo$ic proble$s by raising the cost o corn# soy# wheat# etc. We eel there is too $uch potential in other energy sources such as ,olar# Wind and Geother$al that don't re9uire the use o water# !aluable crop production# or burning o any kind. Eope ully hydrogen energy will soon beco$e a !iable technology.
.e!ther&al
There are three (;) basic types o Geother$al energy a!ailable right now. 6) Eigh grade sources with te$peratures o!er 464 ). 4) +ediu$ grade sources with te$peratures ro$ 655 ). ;) Now grade sources with te$peratures ro$ 75*?5). "Now grade" geother$al energy is a!ailable in !irtually all the world where annual cli$atic te$peratures range ro$ *45) to 647). The low grade geother$al is presently a growing trend in $ost o the -, and other countries howe!er there are two principle drawbacks in its use1 6) Initial e%ca!ation and e9uip$ent costs 4) Cost e icient heat e%change and storage technology Gur director o I,B( has been in!ol!ed in Geother$al research or $ore than ;5 years# both co$$ercially and with acade$ic and -, Depart$ent o :nergy grants.
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( ter his e%posure to I,B- in 455? we belie!e he has re ined a signi icant and realistic technology using I,B-# Geother$al# and ,olar. This is the basis o the :nergyCube Ceport which will be a!ailable soon to I,B( +e$bers ree o charge. 4eo&air ,ee :nergyCube and Citrus In The ,now publications.
(ighting
Incandescent1 ,tandard energy wasting# short li e light bulbs In our opinion# incandescent lights (the co$$on light bulb) should be illegal to sell anywhere in the world. Their energy consu$ption in ho$e or o ice is one o the $ost serious energy wastes in a ho$e and adds terri ically to our global proble$s.
Photo: GreenCube
C)N
Co$pact )luorescent Nights
N:D
,ince 4557 the technology# cost and true brightness o the C)N bulbs ha!e beco$e !ery realistic. :!en or a low inco$e a$ily# the $onthly sa!ings ro$ these new lights is $ore than worth the s$all initial in!est$ent.
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(*): (ight *&itting )i!de
455> $ade so$e !ery signi icant ad!ances in N:D bulbs. (lthough we are !ery "pro" N:D there are still a ew disad!antages in their real li e use. We ha!e tested $any brands and types e!en at this writing. Though the prices are co$ing down the true brightness co$parison still is not there when atte$pting to replace a true ?5 or 87 watt bulb. To truly replace either the standard or C)N with N:D you $ust use e%cess o a 65 watt N:D not the ; watt as so$e ad!ertise# ...but WE=K The proble$s lie in atte$pting to $ake the light out put e!en# then you run into heat proble$s. G!erall# trying to $ake the N:D beco$e a nor$al si&e light bulb is what creates the e%tre$e costA e%tre$e heat proble$A and lower light out put. We will o er so$e !ery creati!e N:D solutions soon. -ntil then# the C)N is the only responsible lighting.
3ind!$s
There are basically no li$itations to the type windows or doors designs which can be installed in an I,B- $odule. G course all ra$ing o windows and doors is with steel# there will be no shrinkage or warping as can occur with wood. That can be a great source o energy loss in $ost ho$es.
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Graphic: US DOE
Double pane windows are standard# while single pane are now 9uite obsolete.
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Gnly purchase windows and doors that ha!e and C*!alue so you know the energy e iciency o what you are installing. (lthough $ost Sdouble paneT windows can ha!e an C*!alue o up to ;.5# there are now windows with special treat$ents and il$ that are substantially $ore energy e icient. Due to the rigidity o the container $odule the :nergy e iciency o your proBect can be $ore easily adapted and success ul in the long ter$ than $any other types o building construction.
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ISBU 3reparation
&elivery of the container, and delivery preparation is important to understand. Understanding this can save hundreds or thousands of dollars. )elivery 1 M!ving
Whether you units are co$ing ro$ o!erseas or ro$ across the city# you should be dealing with a co$pany or person with the ability to handle all aspects o the deli!ery process. The cost o deli!ery should either be included in the 9uotation o each I,B- or it should be a ir$ additional cost that will not !ary# no $atter what the distance or cli$ate. -n ortunately# the "deli!ery charge" can be a bit o a ga$e with so$e o the sales people in the industry. The topic o deli!ery should be di!ided into a ew categories since the deli!ery $ethod will depend greatly on the use o your container and proBect. Categories <o) )ill #our containers /e used? * Te$porary storage * Per$anent storage * Technology ,hell * Te$porary ho$e or o ice construction * Per$anent ho$e or o ice construction (@ Discuss #our pro5ect needs and e%pectations clearl# )ith #our dealer0 *@ Confirm #our deli6er# costs and terms in )riting0 +@ Be certain #our site is read# for deli6er# and /e there to recei6e it0
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=our dealer needs to know e%actly what you want done with the units when they arri!e# and where they need to be placed. This way he can ully understand which e9uip$ent will be need ed to o *load and place the containers. Will the dealer need a tilt*bed# ork li t# or a crane# and which typeK I the dealer understands clearly it will be a positi!e e%perience. With $any proBects the containers are Bust deli!ered and the custo$er or building contractor will pro!ide the e9uip$ent or actual place$ent o the containers when ready or use or construction. Care ully think through e!ery detail. or specific details on delivery and setup, see the specific container use category' & ISBU Building Construction unit & ISBU !echnolog# Shell
+obile housings or data centers# cleaning e9uip$ent# waste recycling# e%po booths# etc. Eo$es# o ices# apart$ents# worker housing# cabins# hotels# Bi&Pods# clinics# e$ergency shelters# etc.
& ISBU Storage unit

+obile or per$anent storage units or ho$e# o ice# Bob sites# other industry# etc.
%ee si( (2) #ain delivery e(a#ples on the follo!ing pages3
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Whether your units are co$ing ro$ o!erseas or ro$ across the city# you should be dealing with a co$pany or person with the ability to handle any deli!er situation you $ay ha!e or your proBect.
Photo::Al Karsf
Will the containers be empty or loaded with cargo Deli!ery to location with the large " latbed tractor*trailerT is generally used only when the container is ull o cargo.
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Photo: Out-Back Stora e
I you are hauling Se$ptyT 45' or <5' containers# it can be acco$plished easily with a 7th wheel trailer like this# or e!en a hea!y duty tande$ trailer and ,-0# ...i e$pty. I a container is loaded# such as with storage units# then a 7 th wheel (see abo!e) is reco$$ended due to the e%tra weight.
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Photo::Cle!son-See"
There are !arious types o "swing li ts" which are !ery con!enient or units that don't need i$$ediate stacking. This type is especially designed to carry ull# hea!y containers which is not necessary or $ost I,B-.
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Photo::Cle!son-See"
This is a !ery e icient "truck $ounted crane" which can easily handle e$pty 45' or <5' containers.
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Photo: #an"all
( "tilt bed" truck is co$$on or si$ple o loading but re9uire large areas to easily $aneu!er# o *load and pull orward. -sually 655' $ini$u$.
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Photo: ISBU Association
Eea!y duty " ork li ts" are 9uite co$$on and easy to use when $o!ing or stacking containers on location.
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6epairing
The topic o "repairing" is not the sa$e as the topic o $aking "$odi ications". The topic o repairing is discussing what $ust be done to the container be ore you begin $aking $odi ications. Cead this section care ully# because the 9uality o your container(s)# and the repairs you $ay ace could $ean the di erence between proBect ailure and success. D see also# Choosing =our Container F What is your proBectK This will always be an i$portant 9uestion or nearly e!ery topic o this report. I your proBect is a Technology ,hell# ,torage -nit# or Eousing ,hell# you will probably bene it by purchasing a higher 9uality container. I you si$ply want an old storage unit or will use the container or building construction that will be ully co!ered by so$e e%terior $aterial like %%%%# you can eel $ore co$ ortable buying a container that is older# or with a ew dings and dents. The "dings and dents" do not usually cause a weakness# but the can# and do cause proble$s in your inish work inside and out. (lso# i the container is too da$aged# then you $ay ind the ti$e and cost o repairs are not worth the sa!ings as co$pared to buying a better grade container to begin with.
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=ule '( =ou should always buy ro$ a reputable dealer =ule '* Buy containers that can pass ,IC inspections D see# ,IC F =ule '+ ( dealer can usually repair a container cheaper and easier because they ha!e scrap parts and re9uent e%perience. =ule ', Don't let the paint coating ool you. Nike a newly painted car# it can hide $any de ects. =ule '- (lways buy ro$ a reputable dealer. (=es# a repeat) Buestions !o As8& 6) Is the container ,IC certi iedK I so# you $ust ha!e a certi icate or each container. 4) I the container is painted# what was the cleaning processK Che$ical cleaner# or Blast cleanedK D see# Cleaning F <ere is a guide for repairs& /ot all repairs to a container are done properly. I you buy ro$ a credible container dealer it will be $ore certain the repairs were per or$ed properly# but this is still not 655J certain. What can be wrong with a container that is reshly painted and looks niceK * Deep dents see$ so ter * Bad welding or repair can be less ob!ious * Corrosion can see$ less ob!ious Gne reason we suggest "third party" inspections such as ,IC# is because it basically guarantees the 9uality and sa ety inside# outside# and underside. :!en i it has repairs and so$e dents# it will still be structurally sa e and $ore easily certi ied by an engineer or go!ern$ent Building Inspector. Eowe!er# this does not guarantee the way it was prepared be ore it was painted.
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It does not guarantee the 9uality o paint or the 9uality o the preparation. The ,IC or other inspection are designed to only certi y the strength# to%ic sa ety# and unit code. I you "do not" ha!e an ,IC inspection# or# i you do pre er an older unit that needs repair then here are so$e !ery i$portant tips and photos to re!iew.
1ote the ,IC inspection does not necessarily apply to ,torage containers or Technology shells.
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Container =epair 3hotos I you are using the I,B- containers or storage# $obile e%pos# or the housing or your specialty e9uip$ent you $ay ind the "!intage" containers unsatis actory and the use o newer containers $ay be para$ount. Door and door ra$e e%a$ples and co$$entary :%a$ples1 Door & door frame repair (45 photos) :%a$ples1 $%terior =epair (6> photos) :%a$ples1 "looring =epair (8 photos) :%a$ples1 "rame and Super&structure =epair (6; photos) :%a$ples1 Interior =epair (6? photos) :%a$ples1 Understructure =epair (6H photos)
(see e%a$ples on the ollowing pages)
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V Door S#stem $%amples
Photos and co$$entary or re erence only. Containers should not be purchased without an ,IC certi ication unless or usage as storage units. It should be noted that $ost o these photos represent the e%tre$e conditions o age# neglect and abuse. This would generally be ound on the "!intage" units.
Doors or no doors? The use o I,B- technology is not li$ited to $obile storage# nor is it li$ited to ho$e construction proBects. There are !ery $any applications or the use o I,Bcontainers there ore not all applications will re$o!e the doors in the $odi ication process. It should be noted that in "$ost" cases when you purchase your container ro$ a reputable dealer# it will already be repaired and re*conditioned appropriately and then certi ied. This section on Doors will be !aluable i you are purchasing containers and re urbishing the$ yoursel . It will gi!e you so$e !aluable tips on what is acceptable and what is not according to IICN and ,IC standards. The Door section is only key i they will actually be unctional to keep out weather and dust. ,tructurally the issues below or any door de ects will not weaken the structure but only create proble$s i using the door syste$.
3hoto Credits GreenCube ,ta # Te%tainer# Triton.
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This particular condition is $ost likely repairable by re$o!ing the corrosion# pri$ing and painting. It will be i$portant to closely e%a$ine the s$oothness and tightness where the seal touches the edge.
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This rear header corrosion is also repairable in $ost cases.
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This rear header corrosion is also repairable in $ost cases. ,$oothness a ter sanding $ust be checked.
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This rear header corrosion is not signi icant and $ay only need paint.
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This rear header is so$ewhat une!en. Check to see i the seal will lay lat when closed.
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This rear sill and lip corrosion is not signi icant and $ay only need light cleaning and paint.
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This corrosion on the !ertical door edge can usually be scraped# sanded and painted.
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/ote the rubber gasket. )olded or distorted gaskets can o ten beco$e bigger issues than corrosion. I the gasket can not be corrected and lay lat it $ust be replaced. Per or$ a light check.
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This is a da$aged top gasket. Per or$ a light check and replace the gasket i necessary.
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Per or$ a light check. +etal resur acing and gasket replace$ent $ay be necessary.
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This type da$age is $ore than si$ple corrosion. The cut in the gasket and corrosion beneath were caused by an i$pact ro$ either a ork li t or other container hitting it. There ore it is probably indented beneath the gasket where the corrosion began. Cepair the corrosion s$ooth as possible and either patch or replace the gasket.
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:!en i this upper gasket were not presently leaking and passed a light test# the $issing pieces would cause the gasket to ail a IICN or ,IC inspection. Gaskets $ust be replaced.
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(lthough the gasket $any not leak it is an i$proper gasket patch and would not pass IICN or ,IC inspection. Ceplace gasket.
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The is the correct gasket patch $aterial but an i$proper 9uality patch. Ceplace patch or gasket.
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This da$aged lower gasket $ay pass a light test but $ay easily and soon begin to deteriorate urther. The da$age is too long or a patch. Ceplace the gasket.
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This type breakage $ay pass a light test and $ay not leak but a new gasket is reco$$ended.
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This gasket has been i$properly repaired. (lthough is $ay pass a IICN inspection it should be replaced or I,B- use.
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(lthough 9uite un*attracti!e# this $ay actually pass a IICN or ,IC testing because it is not structural da$age and it is still water tight. The real 9uestion is# will this $eet your personal standardsK
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This also $ay be 9uite un*attracti!e but still $eets IICN and ,IC testing.
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This is a de ecti!e "hinge blade" Einge blades cannot be cracked or welded. This would no pass IICN or and ,IC inspection and re9uires a new hinge.
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V $%terior S#stem $%amples
$%terior =epairs The use o I,B- technology is not li$ited to $obile storage# nor is it li$ited to ho$e construction proBects. There are !ery $any applications or the use o I,Bcontainers there ore not all applications will re$o!e the doors in the $odi ication process. It should be noted that in "$ost" cases when you purchase your container ro$ a reputable dealer# it will already be repaired and re*conditioned appropriately and then certi ied. This section on $%teriors will be !aluable i you are purchasing containers and re urbishing the$ yoursel . It will gi!e you so$e !aluable tips on what is acceptable and what is not according to IICN and ,IC standards. The Door section is only key i they will actually be unctional to keep out weather and dust. ,tructurally the issues below or any door de ects will not weaken the structure but only create proble$s i using the door syste$.
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This is a good e%a$ple o replace$ent corrugation pieces or use in roo repair. These are pre* $anu actured replace$ent sections and should be used whene!er possible.
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Eere is an e%a$ple o s$all patches. Patches ha!e no si&e li$itation and can be $ade both inside or outside. Eowe!er# to $eet IICN and ,IC speci ications# all patches $ust o!erlap at least 6;$$ (6@4").
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I$proper repair and straightening.
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I$proper repair and straightening
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I$proper repair and straightening and $ust be corrected since it will e ect the handle usage.
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This is not the best# but is passable welding. It $ust be cleaned# pri$ed and painted
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(lthough passable# this is not done correctly. It should be straightened be ore welding.
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/GT:1 Welds in a panel cannot e%ceed 455$$ in length. This weld e%ceeds that length and could possibly challenge it's structural integrity.
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I$proper repair# weld and straightening and $ust be corrected to $eet IICN and ,IC inspections.
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I$proper weld and $ust be corrected to $eet certi ication.
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This is a porous weld (see s$all holes). I the holes do not show light the weld $ay be passable. .
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This is a proper roo repair when the replace$ent insert panel is not a!ailable. The na$e o the process is "cut# old# weld". This $ethod o repair retains structural integrity and would pass IICN and ,IC inspections.
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I$proper repair and straightening o panels.
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/ot all corrosion is serious to the structural integrity. Corrosion $ust under go a ha$$er test to deter$ine it's depth and re$aining thickness. I the ha$$er test causes the $etal to "hole or di$ple" easily then it $ust be replaced.
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This $ust be ha$$er tested or strength.
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This is properly repaired and will $eet IICN and ,IC speci ications.
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V "looring S#stem $%amples
$%terior =epairs /GT:1 )looring is the only area o an I,B- container that could be dangerous or beco$e an issue with the go!ern$ental Building Inspectors. This would co$pletely depend on the end use o your I,B- container. (n I,B- whose end use will be a storage unit or industrial e9uip$ent housing can sa ely retain the original looring by sanding and sealing the wood properly. Eowe!er any I,B- container used or hu$an habitation such as e$ergency shelters# student housing# ho$e or business construction will be probably be re9uired to re$o!e the loor entirely. Go!ern$ent inspectors usually re9uire it and there ore the ,IC inspection re9uires it to eli$inate any concerns. Ceplacing the looring with plywood is 9uite ine%pensi!e and then eli$inates any possible chance o to%ic or $ild en!iron$ental conta$ination or $old. This also is an e%cellent opportunity to co$pletely clean# seal and insulate the underside o the I,B- containers.
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Eere are so$e tips and co$$ents or those who wish to retain the original looring $aterials.
This is called " inger cracking" and is o ten only seen ro$ the underside. =ou should always inspect your containers ro$ the underside which will re!eal rust# structural da$age and also the " inger cracks". The " inger cracks" $ay only show ro$ the botto$ but they are a signi icant clue that so$ething was dropped on the top o the loor and the loor strength in that section will not support ull loads. )or this reason it is reco$$ended that section o the loor be replaced.
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The $ost co$$on da$age to the loor is at the door entry due to the constant loading and unloading o the container. This are should be closely e%a$ined ro$ not only the top but also the underside.
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Please note the wa!es in the loor between the steel cross$e$bers. This loor should be replaced.
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This wear $ay look bad but in act it is 9uite nor$al or a well used container. This is only nor$al wear and scratching o the sur ace and can easily be sanded# resur aced and coated. This should not be a concern.
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Eere is an e%a$ple o a hole that was repaired with a wooden dowel. This can be co$$on and sa e i it is also properly prepared# glued and inished. This repair is not an e%a$ple o !ery good work$anship.
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This is a an e%a$ple o !ery poor 9uality dowel repair. This is the underside !iew o the looring.
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This loor shows there was a ire in the container. Carely is the container steel da$aged but e!en a ter it's repair and painting the discolored loor tells the ull story. ,o$eti$es the loor can si$ply be resur aced i the da$age is not deep.
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This is a !iew ro$ the underside. Eere is one o the reason you $ust inspect the underside o the container. The abo!e photo indicates a spill occurred inside the container at so$e so$e. Carely would it be "to%ic" and o ten only paint# oil or so$e sa e che$ical. /e!ertheless# it is i$portant to deter$ine the che$ical and clean the underside cross$e$bers be ore re inishing and painting.
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V "rame S#stem $%amples
"rame and Structural =epairs The use o I,B- technology is not li$ited to $obile storage# nor is it li$ited to ho$e construction proBects. There are !ery $any applications or the use o I,Bcontainers there ore not all applications will re$o!e the doors in the $odi ication process. It should be noted that in "$ost" cases when you purchase your container ro$ a reputable dealer# it will already be repaired and re*conditioned appropriately and then certi ied.
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This is a top rail dent that could possibly e%ceed allowable da$age. :%a$ine and $easure to deter$ine.
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Eere is a proper patch and insert or a da$aged corner post. This is nearly the $a%i$u$ width o da$age allowed by IICN and ,IC. There are no set standards or length o da$age but width cannot be closer than 65$$ to the edge o the two corners.
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Eere is a corner post dent. The dent is not deep enough to consider any repair action.
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This corner post appears to be dented in e%cess o the 7$$ IICN and ,IC guidelines. (ny dent deeper than 7$$ $ust ha!e an insert welded.
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This is an insert in the "top rail" o a corner. (ll inserts butting to the corner $ust be a $ini$u$ o ;55$$ which is 64" in length. This insert is only >" in length and $ust be replace to pass inspection and retain it's structural integrity.
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This shows about a ;5$$ (6") tear in the rain gutter. The tear has not penetrated the weld and there ore does not pose a ha&ard to rail strength. Ce$o!e the burr and grind s$ooth.
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This is a bent "header lange" and according to inspectors does not need to be replaced unless it is actually cut or broken. (ccording to engineers it does not pose a structural ha&ard.
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This is a "botto$ side rail lange". It is clearly bent and torn. It $ust only be replaced i it has penetrated the weld. I it has not broken the weld then it can be ground s$ooth and painted.
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Eere is a "botto$ rail lange" that is bent and also has cracked the weld. It $ust be replaced to pass the IICN and ,IC inspection.
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(nother bent and dent "side rail lange" but since it has not broken the weld it need not be welded.
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This side rail repair is too short and $ust be replaced since it is adBoining to the corner. It is also reco$$ended that both sides be welded when at a corner.
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This is actually one o the "$ost serious" breaks and da$age to a container. When a corner post is broken or cut it re9uires intense repairing. This post has been repaired but i$properly. It $ust be cut out and replaced with both interior and e%terior inserts to retain it's structural integrity.
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This is a da$aged "corner casting". When a corner casting is on the botto$ it $ay not need to be replaced or use as an I,B-. It's principle purpose is or stacking. This could only be used or single le!el storage units or or base le!el housing.
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This is another da$aged "corner casting". Dented and da$aged "top" corner castings can be dangerous e!en during the load and unload o the deli!ery or I,Busage. The entire "corner casting" should be replaced be ore deli!ery or atte$pting to stack with other I,B- or any purpose.
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V Interior S#stem $%amples
Interior =epairs The use o I,B- technology is not li$ited to $obile storage# nor is it li$ited to ho$e construction proBects. There are !ery $any applications or the use o I,Bcontainers there ore not all applications will re$o!e the doors in the $odi ication process. /GT:1 This section o inspections is i$portant because a properly re inished "shot blasted" container should be 9uite s$ooth and not show sur ace blotching such as seen in so$e o the photos below. I you can see any o the ripples or splotching beneath the paint then you know the sur ace was not cleaned# blasted and repaired properly and you should not purchase these I,B- containers.
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Ea$$er $arks ro$ straightening will beco$e less ob!ious with shot blasting and re*painting.
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(n e%a$ple o poor welding. When a weld e%ceeds 455$$ (?.7") it $ust be replaced with a steel patch to con or$ with IICN and ,IC standards.
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(n e%a$ple o !ery poor straightening and welding yet i the weld is not porous it $ay pass inspection.
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This is a roo weld and $ust be replaced to pass inspection. The weld is too long and the work$anship !ery e%tre$ely poor. This area should be itted with a roo panel insert with a 67$$ (6@4") o!erlap on all sides.
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0ery poor weld 9uality. Though not attracti!e it will pass inspection when cleaned and painted.
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Eere is an interior with !arious patches and repairs. Both interior and loor will $eet IICN and ,IC standards when re inished and painted.
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Eere is an e%terior panel dent which is 9uite ob!ious ro$ the interior. Dents cannot e%ceed 67$$ (6@4") or a steel patch $ust be inserted.
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This shows 4 lashing rings which ha!e been added to the interior. Depending on the application o your these un*sightly rings pose no proble$. They $ay be re$o!ed or le t attached and will not e ect inspection.
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+any people belie!e this diagonal bar in the corner is a necessary support ro$ the actory. These are not structural supports but are only a type o "lashing ring or bar" placed in the corner. Their re$o!al will not e ect any structural integrity and will certainly pass the inspections.
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These are only interior wall scratches ro$ a possible load o wire ence or other steel product. These scratches are not an issue. ,hot blast and paint to pass inspection.
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These are so$e type o "che$ical spatter". Che$icals should not be con used with the ter$ "to%ic". This is a !ery poor re inishing Bob. We only show this photo because this is a !ery poor e%a$ple o re inishing and painting. ( "shot blast" process will re$o!e "all" che$ical spatter and residue and $ust be done be ore re*painting the sur ace. (gain# che$ical residue and splatters are !ery di erent ro$ to%ic residue or to%ic $aterials.
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These dents are probably not deep enough to need a steel patch. ,traighten and re inish.
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This is an e%a$ple o "che$ical residue" not to%ic. This shrinking pattern on paints is usually caused by the !apor o leaking containers such as sol!ents or $ild acid. They are only har$ ul to the paint. ,i$ply "shot blast"# pri$er# and paint the sur ace to beco$e 655J sa e and pass IICN and ,IC inspections.
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This is another non*to%ic che$ical residue. ,hot blast and paint to neutrali&e and pass inspection.
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This is possibly !apor ro$ an acid leakage. We say this due to the corrosion which has penetrated the steel. This $ay not be structurally serious and $ay si$ply be super icial. Test with a ha$$er. I the corrosion is not deep then si$ply "shot blast" and re inish as nor$al to pass IICN or ,IC inspections.
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This is so$e type o glue or adhesi!e che$ical and nothing serious. ,hot blast and paint.
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1O!$ It is i$portant to e$phasi&e again there is a "!ast" di erence between standard che$icals and "to%ic" che$icals and $aterials". It $ust be noted the "all" shipping and container leasing co$panies ha!e !ery separate containers or hauling "ha&ardous $aterials and to%ic che$icals or products". These shipping containers are shipped separately and also stored and recycled separately. They do not enter the $ainstrea$ no $atter how $any un* docu$ented stories you see on so$e internet blogs. This has been the standard $ariti$e and shipping procedure and all ha!e been doing this or $any years to a!oid not only conta$ination but also to a!oid the potential o $assi!e law suites. Be con ident that your I,B- has not hauled to%ic wasteL Che$ical residues are a !ery di erent issue and easily neutrali&ed and re$o!ed. To be con ident your I,B- container is ree o any che$ical residues you can si$ply "shot blast" and re inish. /othing sur!i!es the proper "shot blasting" cleaning $ethod o re inishing.
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V Understructure and Underflooring $%amples
Understructure =epairs 1O!$ When purchasing a container one o the $ost ignored but critical areas is the under structure. +ost people will see photos o the interior and e%terior or e!en conduct their own physical inspection howe!er ew e!er see the underside o the container unit. This is where so$e o the $ost serious proble$s $ay be hidden.
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,urprisingly# this $ay be acceptable or shipping standards. It is "not" acceptable or use as an I,B-. IICN standards or a shipping container re9uire this corrosion be "ha$$er tested". I a corroded area does not dent or $ake a whole it is considered acceptable or continued shipping use. We should note that corrosion itsel does not weaken the steel unless it is se!ere. There ore the IICN standard is acceptable. Eowe!er# or your personal ownership and long ter$ use as a storage unit# technical shell or or ho$e construction# you will want this corrosion and rust re$o!ed# then coated again.
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=epair 3rocedure (s with all repairing o the I,B- container# the astest# $ost e ecti!e# and $ost $ost econo$ical $ethod o corrosion# cleaning and rust re$o!al is the "shot blast" $ethod. This is Bust as e ecti!e on the underside o a container as it is on the walls and roo o the container. This $ethod 9uickly re$o!es e!erything down to the bare steel or bare wood# then you can apply the coating you want. +ost coatings on an I,B- will last decades and will last longer on an I,B- container than on a container used or shipping. Inspecting and re*coating o the underside o an I,B- container is a "$ust".
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This is a "li9uid $ark" and generally indicating se!ere che$ical spill. Che$ical spill "does not $ean" to%ic che$ical spill# but it does need to be treated to eli$inate urther corrosion to the steel and deterioration to the wood looring. The reco$$ended action is both treat$entsA ,hot blasting# then high pressure spray wash to re$o!e any possible residue. Then seal and coat as nor$al.
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This is not serious but can and should be repaired when the loor is re$o!ed.
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Eere is an e%a$ple o i$proper repair o a da$aged underside cross$e$ber. The replace$ent steel went up to the top but should ha!e been lower# lea!ing at least 6@4" (6;$$) o the original steel or proper strength according to IICN standards. )or use as an I,B- this would not be considered critical. It would be considered critical or shipping purpose only i it were carrying hea!y payloads.
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These are co$plete inserts $ade to correct a series o da$aged cross$e$bers. This repair is considered !ery acceptable or use as an I,B- container. Please note the proper insertion o the repair steel. It has le t at least 6@4" (6;$$) o the original steel cross$e$ber on the top o each repair.
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The cross$e$bers o this loor carried too $uch weight at one ti$e and beca$e bowed. /ote the < repaired cross$e$bers. The weakened cross$e$bers were properly repaired with the inserts and will pre!ent cracking o the steel.
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I$proper repair o cross$e$bers. The sections will need to be replaced.
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Eere is a "stitch weld" added to the side o a cross$e$ber. This type repair is considered !ery sa e and acceptable or any I,B- use.
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The issue here is on the angle iron bolted to the cross$e$ber. This "is not" acceptable and $ust be replaced and welded to retain proper strength.
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Eere is another e%a$ple o i$proper repairing o a cross$e$ber. It $ust be replaced with "one" solid length and not pieces to bring it to acceptable strength or I,B- use.
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I$proper repair o the cross$e$ber# and also the second cross$e$ber $ust be repaired. /o bent or bowing cross$e$bers are allowed or I,B- unless they will be only used or light storage.
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This is an acceptable repair# howe!er the looring was not re*coated. ,IC standards and $ost Building Inspectors will re9uire the co$plete replace$ent o the loor or and I,B- construction proBect. /ew loors are not necessary or I,B- used as storage units.
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Cracked and $issing caulking. This can be repaired during the loor re$o!al and a ter cleaning.
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The gasket $ust be repaired or replaces. )or usage as an I,B- it $ay si$ply be caulked at the ti$e o loor replace$ent and underside cleaning.
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These are bent cross$e$bers. Bowed and bent cross$e$bers should be repaired or replaced. IICN strength sa ety standards allow a 6@4" (6;$$) bow# howe!er or $any I,Buses this would cause a looring proble$.
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This is an ob!iously i$proper repair. It $ust be repaired by proper ull inserts or replace cross$e$bers.
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Eere is an e%a$ple o i$proper repair o a da$aged underside cross$e$ber. The cross$e$bers were welded but not welded with inserts o at least ?" (675$$) length steel inserts. =ou can see the da$age due to i$proper repairs. Inserts are a $ust.
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This is a deep inward bend in the botto$ side rail o the container. This is not an easy i%L The solution is e%tensi!e ra$e straightening# and also a co$bination or other welds and steel inserts. +ost container dealers and shops do not ha!e " ra$e straightening" e9uip$ent to acco$plish this properly. This container should not be purchased unless this I,B- will be used only as a secondary storage unit.
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ISBU 3reparation
(ow well you #clean# will determine the life e)pectancy of your container pro"ect. leaning
The cleaning o the container is one o the !ery $ost i$portant issues o the entire proBect. I$proper cleaning will beco$e the "only" weak point or the longe!ity o your entire proBect. /o $atter what paint or coating you will apply to the e%terior o your I,Bcontainer# i it was not cleaned and prepared in the proper $anner# this one process alone will beco$e deter$ine the longe!ity o your I,B- unit# proBect# or ho$e. I you prepare your containers properly# including... * Cleaning * Painting * -nderside coating ...the sustainability# strength# and li espan o your I,B-# and@or I,B- proBect can easily reach 85 to 655 years. Eowe!er# i$proper cleaning and coating can produce a proBect li espan o less than 65 years.
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Methods Of Cleaning There are two basic $ethods o cleaning the steel I,B- container1 6) (brasi!e "Blast Cleaning" 4) Che$ical ",pray Wash" Blast Cleaning The irst# and $ost e icient $ethod is "Blast Cleaning". It has $any na$esA sand blasting# shot blasting# ping blasting# etc. Oey points1 * :%tre$ely e icient * Nea!es no che$ical residue * )ast * ,a e and non*polluting * Nabor sa!ing
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The U6 choice**"Blast Cleaning" with silica or cera$ic beads
This $ethod will re$o!e anything and in e!ery crack or cre!ice. It is dry sand or silica granules and there is no water in!ol!ed that can o ten create i$$ediate o%idation. I you choose to lea!e the looring# the wood can also be cleaned and stripped with Blast Cleaning. The entire containerA top# botto$# inside and out can beco$e clean# or cleaner than a new container. Then ready or an e%cellent# and per$anent bond with the paint or coating you ha!e chosen. There "is" no better way to clean an I,B-L
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Chemical Spra# Wash -n ortunately# this is a $ethod chosen by $ost DI= (Do It =oursel ) builders# and also so$e e%perienced building contractors. This $ethod re9uires a high pressure sprayer syste$ that is not sensiti!e to acidic che$icals. Oey points1 * Better than other water based# or li9uid $ethods * )aster than brush or wipe on $ethods * Deep cleaning with repeat applications * Can create waste water issues * Can lea!e a il$ and not penetrate deeply with corrosion
",pray Washing" with a one*step acid@phosphate product
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This is certainly better and $ore e ecti!e that wipe on# or brushing with T,P# or acid solutions which usually lea!e $uch residue and eli$inate proper bonding between steel and paint. These $ethods appear to be e ecti!e# but their li espan o the paint can beco$e $uch shorter due to i$proper paint adhesion. ,pray washing is e%tre$ely e ecti!e on !irtually any sur ace when re$o!ing dirt o%idation# and so$e rust# but not as deep cleaning to the i$portant $icro sur ace as Blast Cleaning with silica or cera$ic $icro balls. I you choose this ",pray Wash" $ethod# be certain to only use a "one step" acid@phosphate che$ical solution which will neutrali&e the acid or better rinsability and less chance o i$$ediate o%idation o the $etal sur ace be ore the paint or pri$er is applied. Summar# (nyone educated on both $ethods o cleaning the steel containers will absolutely choose the "Blast Cleaning" $ethod o!er the acid ",pray Wash" $ethod. The cost is about the sa$e. The labor is about the sa$e. Eowe!er the ease# sa ety# and e ecti!eness o the Blast Cleaning is $uch better. 0irtually all pro essionals we inter!iewed o!er a two year period belie!e the Blast Cleaning pro!ides $uch better paint bond and there ore a superior li espan potential or your I,B- units and proBects. Whether you re$o!e the loors or keep the$# the "Blast Cleaning" $ethod o corrosion re$o!al and paint preparation is the best choice or an I,B-.
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5aints 1 !atings
We see so$e co$$on con usions with $any builders using I,B- or construction purposes. +any are asking what was the original coating ro$ the actory. This is not actually rele!ant unless you ha!e purchased a new# or one*way# howe!er we ha!e listed it below1 !he original factor# formula and coating0 )or your re erence only# we ha!e listed the original coating that is on $ost standard containers ro$ the actory1
$%terior Coating& C"actor#@ :po%y*rich w@&inc pri$er :po%y &inc phosphate Chlorinated rubber top coat Total coating Interior Coating& C"actor#@ :po%y*rich w@&inc pri$er :po%y &inc phosphate Total coating Underside Coating& C"actor#@ :po%y*rich w@&inc pri$er WBitu$en wa%# which includes Tectyl 646B# Dinitrol <H<6B Chlorinated rubber top coat Total coating ;5 $icron <5 $icron 75 $icron * +,- micron ;5 $icron <5 $icron * .- micron <5 $icron 455 $icron 75 $icron * ,/- micron
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W Bitu$en wa% is used in roo coatings. Tectyl 646B# and Dinitrol <H<6 are used in auto$obile and truck undercoatings as corrosion inhibitors and anti*rust.
/GT:1 )or$ulas can !ary# howe!er this is airly standardi&ed or container units produced since 4555.
What paint or coating should I use?

* :po%yK * :lasto$erK * Cera$icK * Cubberi&edK * Water or Gil basedK
The answers are not so ob!ious# and o course will depend on your proBect. (ll will bond well i they ha!e the correct sur ace preparation which is described in the Cleaning section.
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3aint !#pes & $po%# is durable but $ost :po%y paints ha!e a tendency to ade or go chalky. They are 9uite durable. & $lastomers are durable# le%ible# won't crack# and are beco$ing 9uite widely used and are ecologically sa e. & Ceramic coatings should not be !iewed as another type coating# but as an "additi!e" to any coating or paint. The cera$ic beads can be $i%ed into any paint or coating. They ha!e $any bene its# including anti*$old# heat resistance# acoustic# $oisture barrier and $ore. The cost o cera$ic beads is not signi icant when buying it in the <5U bags. & =u//eriDed: or silicone based coatings are !ery i$portant i you are in hu$id cli$ates or need your I,B- partially or ully below ground le!el. They are also !ery e ecti!e on the roo when using as a Green Coo or sun deck. The new types are durable or 45 to 75 years especially i they are not e%posed to -0. * 0irtually all o the the abo!e paints are a!ailable in either water or oil base. We suggest water base. They are Bust as durable# sa er# and easier to use. :!en "i " your I,B- will be co!ered with roo ing# siding# or stucco# they need proper preparation and a good coating. I) this is done properly the I,B- containers can re$ain in e%cellent condition as long as concrete. ... or 85 to 655 years. With proper cleaning and coating there is !irtually no possibility or deterioration# either abo!e# or below ground.
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*ngineering Issues
We ha!e included this topic because in late 455> we began to reali&e how !ital engineers# and engineering is to the container building and construction. Designs )ith /ad $ngineering There was a $isconception by $ost people# including $any general contractors# that I,B- containers were strong no $atter how they were cut up# stacked or $odi ied. We can largely bla$e this on so $any o these "concept" container drawings that ha!e plagued the internet or the past se!eral years. +any o which were architects innocently $aking unrealistic concept drawings using containers. =et others who were designers or possibly architectural students that didn't understand the true engineering and structure o I,G containers. What the world was seeing and belie!ing# were architectural designs o "container ho$es and o ices" stacked on angles and cross*crossed without support# walls re$o!ed without support# and wonder ul ho$e designs that were not realistic to build unless considerable dollars were spent on engineering and e%pensi!e structural rein orce$ents. Shortage of ;ualified and )illing $ngineers There was a $isconception regarding what was re9uired to obtain "appro!als" and "building per$its" ro$ the local city# county# state or pro!incial agencies. The reality is# that no $atter how good the architectural drawings or how si$ple the design and $odi ications# $any local agencies re9uire a "local" licensed engineer to sign and certi y the building plans.
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It has been di icult or ho$e owners and builders to understand the i$portance o an engineer# and the necessity o inding a "local" engineer to certi y the I,BproBect. !he point is this & Architects need to ully understand the li$itations and e%tra costs in!ol!ed when creating radical designs. The creati!ity $ust ocus on si$plicity# ewer cutouts# and less designing that re9uires e%pensi!e engineering. * $ngineers in e!ery locality need to beco$e a$iliar with the I,B- structure. It isn't that di icult. * !he home /uilder can only be success ul i they align the$sel!es with an architect and engineer who can work together. * !he )illing engineer is the critical link to the success and appro!al o I,Bcontainer construction proBect# whether# cabins# ho$es# or large o ice buildings and hotels. =ou don't need a ScynicalT engineer on your proBect. The success ul proBect $ust include Spositi!eT engineers and architects. (n engineer without a positi!e attitude is not an engineer.
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Container !echnolog# The container technology is really 9uite si$ple. ( container is not an old# rusty shipping container# ...it is an I,B-. ( strong# steel pre* abricated unit# uni or$ and e%tre$ely sa e or building structures. (n engineer need only obtain the structural speci ications o the steel unit and plug the$ into the so tware. ,teel is steel. They can easily see the speci ications o each rail# wall and cross$e$ber and 9uickly beco$e con ident with this technology. We ha!e $et with $any willing engineers and they were able to igure it all out e!en as we sat in ront o the$. =ou cannot under esti$ate the i$portance and !alue o an engineer. (n engineer can 9uickly be co$ ortable with the strengths and le%ibility o an I,B- $odule. 1ote /ot e!ery engineer $ay use their analytical so tware properly# thus gi!ing incorrect calculations to the custo$er. Contract with only co$petent# success ul engineers to guide you on your proBect. A positive engineer or architect will say, 0there1s a way to do anything2, then they wor! creatively to find the easiest and most cost effective solution. In our e!aluation and research# we would presented the sa$e in or$ation to !arious engineers and get airly consistent opinions and results. =et we consistently ound one o the engineers who had !ery di erent results# opinions and analysis. That type ScynicalT engineer should not be used.
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ISBU Building Construction
Using ISBU for building homes, apartments, cabins and offices The I&p!rtance !% Building 5er&its
( ter deciding on your design and location# the building per$it is the ne%t priority. When our organi&ation irst began in 4558 we were shocked to learn how $any o the new I,B- (ssociation $e$bers were building ho$es# cabins# and workshops "without" a Building Per$it Then $any see$ed to be 9uite a$a&ed their city or county Building Depart$ents were declining their applications. It really doesn't $atter whether you are building a ho$e with wood# brick or I,B-** when you begin without a Building Per$it your proBect already has "two strikes" against it. During 4558 and 455> the Building Per$it issue was the U6 reason that I,Bcontainer ho$e construction was at a standstill# ...not Bust in the -, but in $any countries. Cities# ,tates and Pro!inces were greatly concerned with the "rebel attitude" o the "container ho$e" culture. We personally got in!ol!ed in about >5J o the proBects that were getting denied# and $ore than H5J o the ti$e the local Building Inspectors told us it was not the container but the act our +e$ber had begun the proBect without a per$it. To do so is si$ply not legalL
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Other Issues =ou would be interested to know that since 6HH> probably hundreds or thousands o ho$es and cabins ha!e been built using I,B- containers. The reason you were not hearing about it is because HHJ were built "illegally"L In early 455H# our Director# Barry /ae # began on a tour to obser!e and docu$ent container ho$e proBects. Ee began $eeting with local container dealers to get lists o custo$er they knew who were using I,B- or ho$es or cabins. Ee began tra!eling the -, ro$ Washington to )lorida# and +aine to Cali ornia in his $otor ho$e# and he did so ro$ Manuary to Dece$ber. ,urprise U6 was to learn o so $any hundreds o I,B- units that were sold or so$e type o building construction. ,urprise U4 was to learn that !irtually none were legalL Because they were not built legally# $ost were not willing to show the proBects# allow photos# and $ost o all# did not want to be inter!iewed or ha!e their proBect published on the internet or in our (ssociation website. (ll because they had "not" obtained legal Building Per$its or their proBects. "It was !ery rustrating and sad"# said Barry# "because there are so$e !ery well done ho$es and cabins out there and we could learn so $uch ro$ the$". ",ince they had no per$its and were not legal# I was o ten seen as a dangerous ad!ersary and it was beco$ing 9uite discouraging to say the least. :!eryone was a raid $y research would e%pose their illegal construction" o their I,B- construction proBects.
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Photo credit1 I,B- (ssociation
(:%terior) Eere is one o the un*known proBects we ound during the coast*to*coast tour.
This is one o the $ost creati!e designs we'!e seen. It is actually only "two" <5' containers cut up# opened out# and re*connected to or$ this giant workshop. ,teel supports were added with sky lights along both side. It was constructed entirely by one $an. Ee si$ply obtained a "9uick sta$p" per$it ro$ his local city.
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(Interior) The workshop with skylights and recycled steel supports. 6?55 s9@ t interior.
Barry !isited $any ho$es and cabins as large as 65 containers but none were built with legal per$its. Gne o the $ost beauti ul was actually built# and owned# by a s$all container dealer hi$sel . The dealer was !ery reluctant to show or discuss it. Ee proudly showed the lu%ury ho$e but would not allow photos or his na$e $entioned. The ho$e was a beauti ul 8 container ho$e# with spanned li!ing roo$ and container base$ent. "The total s9uare eet o the $ain le!el was o!er ;555 and absolutely beauti ul". said Barry. -n ortunately# e%cept or tight lipped riends and a$ily# these ho$es and cabins will ne!er be seen by the public# Bust because they were not built legally. We are told by Canadian and (ustralian container dealers they also see the sa$e situation# with nice construction# but they did not obtain legal building per$its and people won't about the$. Gne thing Barry learned ro$ this proBect and se!eral others# was how to sa ely install base$ents and containers underground. This particular container base$ent
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has been success ully in use since 6HH8 in a $eadow with low ground water. +ore o this in or$ation will be included in our "Thinking Deep" Bi&Guide. Getting per$its and building these units legally is critical or the short ter$ and also long ter$. Eow can you possibly sell a ho$e or cabin that was not built legallyK )ro$ what we'!e seen# there are $any Burisdictions that will Bust easily gi!e a per$it or a cabin# as long as it's done in ad!ance and they know the basics o the use and design. Eowe!er or the rest o us# in $ost populated areas# we $ust go through the standard process. )or that reason we ha!e created the "Getting (ppro!ed Ceport" and assisted in the creation o the ,IC certi ication back in ,pring o 455H. Summar# * Get your proBect done legally * Cead the "Getting (ppro!ed Ceport" * Don't use the words "shipping containers" * -se the ter$ "I,B- $odules" or Ssteel pre ab unitsT * Ea!e a good architectural design and be prepared you you apply * Ea!e all $aBor structural $odi ications sta$ped by a local engineer * Guarantee your ability to resell your proBect by building legally
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utting and M!di%icati!ns
)irst# we strongly reco$$end the $odi ications o any I,B- proBect be per or$ed by an e%perienced welder. They already ha!e the tools and e%pertise to acco$plish anything you need done. (lthough $ost cutting and $odi ication are not !ery co$plicated# an e%perienced welder can usually do it 9uickly and with better precision. I you choose to hire a welder be certain to ha!e e!ery cut and weld planned well in ad!ance so the welder's ti$e and cost is $ore e icient. (n e%perienced welder can be a container dealer or $etal shop# but also can include a college student or welding hobbyist i the plans are basic and i the proBect does not in!ol!e any e%tre$e engineering. The cost sa!ings can be substantial.
All methods of cutting re;uire the proper goggles: e#e )ear: hearing protection and safet# e;uipment )hen cutting and grinding the container0
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I,B-'s cut or building and construction
!#pes of steel cutting e;uipment There are three basic types used on containers and related steel. (lthough a container is e%tre$ely strong# it is principally due to it's corrugation# Corten steel# and e%tre$ely well engineered design. The steel itsel is si$ple to cut# $odi y and weld using either o the ollowing types o e9uip$ent. =ou will o ten see a steel cutting saw used to cut containers# although the Plas$a torch is growing in popularity there are $any in the trade who pre er the steel saw $ethod.
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(@ Circular Metal Sa) The steel saws used to cut and $odi y containers are $ade speci ically or cutting steel. They are generally higher EP with well designed handles or better control and sa ety. The pro essional steel saw can be purchased or R;75 to R?55# about hal the initial cost o Plas$a cutters. The saw blade is usually a carbide blade and co$es in !arious 9ualities. Positi!e1 * Now initial cost * :asy to cut straight lines /egati!e1 * Blade replace$ent is high * Noudest noise * Cough# sharp edges that re9uire e%tensi!e grinding * ,lower than a Plas$a cutter * Can only cut straight lines. /othing else
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Stoc8 photo
,teel Circular ,aw* Gne o $any types and brands a!ailable
This type is !ery stable or straight cuts and higher EP or ($p units pro!ide the s$oothest cut.
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Container cut in hal using the steel saw lea!ing so$e sharp# Bagged edges.
3hoto credit ISBU Association
( circular steel saw is known or lea!ing rough edges but you should note that the speed o the saw can ha!e $uch to do with the cut 9uality. (ll cutting will need to be s$oothed with a grinder# e!en i you use a Plas$a torch. Eowe!er the Plas$a torch will be the s$oothest o all the $ethods a!ailable. ( low power (($p) circular saw can cause the roughest edges. ( higher power# hea!y duty saw with carbide blade can o er the s$oothest circular saw cut.
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Container cutting. )roebe proBect# (ustria.
3hoto credit "roe/e
This is an e%a$ple o a hea!y duty circular saw with carbide blade. This will re9uire less sanding and grinding than so$e circular saws.
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( steel cutting and training e%ercise by e$ergency workers.
3hoto credit ISBU Association
This type circular saw can o ten pro!ide straighter cuts due to the ront I rear hand holds or stability.
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*@ 3lasma Cutting !orch The plas$a torch is gaining great popularity as a steel cutter and especially or use in the $odi ication o containers. Gur sta and $ost pro essionals we know pre er the plas$a torch greatly o!er the steel saw $ethod. The plas$a cutter is !ery light and ast. It is o ten described# "like cutting through butter". -nless you'!e used one you can't co$prehend it's ease and le%ibility. The cost o a plas$a torch is generally ro$ R875 to R6575 or a 67*45 a$p@645! unit which is 9uite su icient to cut anything on a container. Those o us who ha!e used both types o cutting generally pre er the plas$a torch. I you are a contractor the plas$a torch is generally so $uch $ore e icient# aster# and less grinding# that you can bid a proBect and be $ore co$petiti!e i necessary. It will pay or itsel 9uite ast due to speed and no blade replace$ent. The only thing we ha!e noticed is that we need a good stable steel guide cla$ped near the cutting line. The torch cuts so easily it is so$eti$es a proble$ to keep a straight line without a steady guide. Positi!e1 * :asy to use. ,$oother edges * Now noise le!el * )ast cutting up to 6@<" (8$$) * /o uel costs and no blades to replace * Clean cuts that re9uire !ery little# or no grinding * Can use to cut s$all round holes or tiny s9uares. /egati!e1 * Eigher cost than a circular saw
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Plas$a cutting torch.
The Plas$a is the o!er all a!orite or use in cutting a container. It is the 9uietest# least $aintenance# astest and cleanest cuts especially or walls# doors# windows and cutting roo holes or stairways. I you are atte$pting to cut a container in hal # then the circular saw $ay be the astest and easiest to cut through the wider corner tubing and loor cross$e$bers. I you are per or$ing standard $odi ications# the Plas$a is easiest and cleanest.
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,$all holes# designs and circles $ade with plas$a cutter in thick steel.
This is a poor 9uality photo# howe!er it shows the !ersatility o the Plas$a torch. The Plas$a torch is an e%cellent tool or cutting holes or electrical conduit and plu$bing in the under structure and walls o the I,B- proBect.
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Precision cutting and s$ooth edges produced by a plas$a cutter attached to a C/C $achine.
We wanted to add this photo to de$onstrate how !ersatile and s$ooth the Plas$a torch is. These are !ery s$ooth and precise cutouts that need no sanding. Cutting doors# windows and utility holes with a Plas$a torch can cut labor costs by as $uch as 75J due to the cutting speed and less need o grinding the inal sur ace.
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Gne o $any good 9uality brands and types o Plas$a cutting torches.
(s this photo de$onstrates# a larger a$perage Plas$a torch can also cut through e%tre$ely thick steel# though not generally necessary or I,B- $odi ications.
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+@ =eciprocal Sa) The reciprocating saw can be used as a steel cutter too# but with so$e caution.
Ceciprocal saws1 Corded or Cechargeable $odels
Cutting steel with these saws can be done, but you need a hea!y duty $odel with power and good ront and rear grips. =ou need to go slow but they are usable. The pro essional $odels can be purchased or R6>5 to R<55# about 6@; the initial cost o Plas$a cutters. The saw blade is usually a carbide blade and co$es in !arious 9ualities. Positi!e1 * Now initial cost * :asy to cut straight lines and slight cur!es /egati!e1 * Blade replace$ent is re9uent * ,lower# care ul cutting to a!oid Skick backT and broken blades * I you are doing $uch work the Plas$a cutter is the best option
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Drill a hole in the steel so you can insert the saw blade
Photo credit1 Beau +obile
+o!e slowly to keep a straight line and a!oid the saw ro$ binding and also kicking back
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)inishing the window cut
Summar# The reciprocal saw is o ten used to a!oid the e%pense o a Plas$a cutter. Eowe!er# a Plas$a cutter is so $uch aster and cleaner you will probably sa!e enough labor cost to co$pensate or the Plas$a cutter purchase. The reciprocal saw lea!es a s$oother inish than a ScircularT saw but still needs to be ground and sanded.
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;!ining" !nnecting" 1 Stacking 4oining and Connecting containers is neither a di icult or co$plicated task.
There has been $uch con usion in recent years due to inaccurate in or$ation in container publications# blogs and also so$e photos on the internet. We won't atte$pt to understand why these incorrect state$ents ha!e been $ade# but we will e%plain the si$ple act o Boining and connecting $ultiple I,Bcontainers. The in or$ation we will list below is basic and general. =ou can obtain $ore details by going to the chapters that are speci ic to your use1 & ISBU Building Construction (a!ailable in ! ?.5 on (ugust H) & ISBU !echnolog# Shells (a!ailable in ! ?.5 on (ugust H) & ISBU Storage Units (a!ailable in ! ?.5 on (ugust H) 3ermanent or !emporar#? ,o$e o the con usion is caused by $isunderstanding there are two di erent categories in Boining and connecting containers. * Per$anent connections * Te$porary connections It is this si$ple1 * Per$anent containers and proBects are per$anently welded ir$ly together on sides# ends# tops# and botto$s. * Te$porary containers and proBects are only te$porarily Boined together on sides# ends# tops# and botto$s using te$porary locking de!ices.
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!he most common >temporar#> loc8ing de6ices
4raphic credit ISBU Association
It's really that si$ple. There are $any other type I,G connectors and stabili&ers# but these are the basic connectors you will use or te$porary place$ent and Boining o your container proBect. These can be used or one hour# one $onth# or e!er 65 years# ...but they are te$porary# solid# and can beco$e easily re$o!ed when you are ready. & Bridge "itting to couple the units generally on the tops. & !)ist Loc8s to couple the units generally on the sides and $iddle. & =aised Dec8 is generally to be welded to a oundation# then the container botto$ corners $ount to the oundation using the Twist Nock. These are a!ailable ro$ !arious sources. The nu$ber o distributors globally has appro%i$ately doubled in the past two years.
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4raphic credit ISBU Association
"or temporar# construction pro5ects onl#0 Per$anent proBects do not generally use these connectors.
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!he permanent ISBU construction are )elded together at the corners0 The "bridge itting" $ay be used during the welding process# but then they are re$o!ed. ,ee the categories below or $ore detail and diagra$s on Boining and welding tips. & ISBU Building Construction (a!ailable in ! ?.5 on (ugust H) & ISBU !echnolog# Shells (a!ailable in ! ?.5 on (ugust H) & ISBU Storage Units (a!ailable in ! ?.5 on (ugust H) Stac8ing The stacking o containers should only be atte$pted by e%perienced persons and using the proper e9uip$ent. ! "ork #ift ( large type ork li t is co$$only used to $o!e and stack containers only two (4) le!els# and only 45' containers. (tte$pting to stack beyond 4 le!els is nearly i$possible with a standard hea!y duty ork li t. (tte$pting to $o!e a <5' container using a ork li t can be 9uite dangerous and is not reco$$ended. ! $rane ( crane or boo$ $ust be used to stack and $o!e containers higher than 4 le!els. The crane is the only reco$$ended $ethod to $o!e or stack <5' containers sa ely unless the ork li t has a special attach$ent. ( ter stacking the containers# whether or per$anent or te$porary use# the containers should be secured i$$ediately either by welding or with the use o the !arious I,G connectors shown abo!e.
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Architectural Drawings: 2D TIF Format
Gpen these drawings on any PC or +ac* (rchitectural drawings and te$plates are an absolute necessity or planning and designing and I,B- container proBect. They are the essential base used by building contractors# designers# architects# engineers# and the DI= consu$er. These are 9uick# easy*to*use container drawings that open in any graphic so tware progra$ on e!ery PC. They re9uire no additional so tware progra$s to use. ,i$ply double click on the$ and they open in your co$puter. These are high resolution copies o the pro essional (rchitectural C(D drawings and show the e%act $easure$ents o all $ain container pieces.
For other DIY easy-to-use 3D drawings see the G-Series 3D for use with Google S etch!"
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Internal
For real-time 360 views in 3D without purchasing professional software, check out our G-Series templates for use with SketchUp
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Architectural Drawings: S etch!": Format
Gpen these drawings using S reeT !ersion Google ,ketch-p* (rchitectural drawings and te$plates are an absolute necessity or planning and designing and I,B- container proBect. They are the essential base used by building contractors# designers# architects# engineers# and the DI= consu$er. These Google ,ketch-p te$plates are called our "G*,eries" and can only be easily used with DI= ree !ersion o ,ketch-p. & 4&Series Standard are airly detailed !ersions which are $ade directly ro$ our pro essional 4D C(D drawings. & 4&Series 3ro are $ore detailed !ersions which are $ade directly ro$ our pro essional ;D C(D drawings. Both te$plate !ersions are easy to use# howe!er pro essional architects and engineers pre er the PCG !ersion e!en though they can use the ;D C(D so tware. Gne reason is that ,ketch-p is easily used by an o ice sta e!en i they ha!e no dra ting skills or e%perience. It's great or $aking cut*away photos and screen shots with little or no e%perience. These are high resolution copies o the pro essional (rchitectural C(D drawings and show the e%act $easure$ents o all $ain container pieces. ,OT or$at.
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Architectural Drawings: 2D 'AD Format
Architectural drawings and templates are an absolute necessity for planning and designing and ISBU container pro"ect. They are the essential base used by building contractors, designers, architects, engineers, and the &I3 consumer. (hese )* $A* templates can only be used with professional software programs, or may be viewed with the free viewer. These are high resolution copies of the professional Architectural CA& drawings and show the e)act measurements of all main container pieces. &4%, &5 , TI .
N+(,- or other 6rofessional and &I3 easy7to7use 8& drawings, see the %7Series 8& for use with %oogle S!etchUp.
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Architectural Drawings: 3D 'AD Format
Architectural drawings and templates are an absolute necessity for planning and designing and ISBU container pro"ect. They are the essential base used by building contractors, designers, architects, engineers, and the &I3 consumer. (hese 1* $A* templates can only be used with professional software programs, or may be viewed with the free viewer. These are high resolution copies of the professional Architectural CA& drawings and show the e)act measurements of all main container pieces. 8&S, &4%, &5 .
N+(,- or other 6rofessional and &I3 easy7to7use 8& drawings, see the %7Series 8& for use with %oogle S!etchUp.
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Buestions & Comments
As! a 9uestion so we either !now what we missed, or we need to e)plain it better.
As8 A Buestion: or Ma8e A Comment

Please ask a Buestion re ar"in an9 of the topicsC Dou na!e 7ill not be poste"C
Send your +uestions , 'omments to: co!!entsEisbu-infoCor
Dou can rea" the ans7ers to 9our Buestions in the FAG sectionC 8he ans7ers 7ill be re6ie7e" an" poste" in --' "a9sC -hanks for participating&
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"AB& "re;uentl# As8ed Buestions
If it1s not here, "ust as!. 4e will post the answer
F 2our Buestions & Our Ans)ers
B What progra$s will open the C(D drawingsK A There are two ways to use the C(D iles. The S0iewerT# which anyone can use without e%perience Bust to open# rotate and !iewA but to $odi y the iles and change the$ you will need e%perience and $ust use a Pro essional C(D progra$ such as (utoC(D. B Why do so$e engineers say you should not bury containersK A HH.HJ o engineers know they can be buried without proble$s. =ou are probably reading so$ething ro$ an engineer who is 9uite cynical in his approach to anything. G course# it $ust be done with proper $odi ications. Custing has $any e%cellent solutions these days and is used by $any pro essions. The roo can si$ply be rein orced with concrete which $akes the proBect !ery sa e# !ery strong and !ery realistic. There is a right way# and a wrong way or e!erything. We will publish so$e si$ple and realistic solutions soon.
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B I read a book that suggests co!ering two Boined containers with a rubber or $etal stripping. Where can I ind the strippingK A There are easier and better ways to ill the gap. That process o using a strip was great $any years ago# but in the past ew years $ost builders ha!e been using Sspray oa$T insulation either ro$ the s$all cans or ro$ a s$all tank to ill any gaps between containers. It is !ery 9uick and si$ple and will last or decades. B Do you ha!e any pre*$ade engineering calculations or cutting and rein orcing containers that are $odi ied. A /o# there are too $any !ariables to o er that in or$ation. ( ew o our +e$bers ha!e told us they $ay publish such Spre*$adeT calculations but none ha!e yet done so. We are told by $any engineers it would be near i$possible to do it accurately without knowing the e%act design. ,o$eone will need to create speci ic building designsA ha!e an engineer appro!e the $odi ications o each plan# then the pre*$ade plan itsel can be sold. B I'$ con used. Is it really essential to per or$ a total re inishing and paint to the e%terior o containers when building ho$e or cabinK I see a ew blogs and a !ideo o a co$pany in Costa Cica but these guys are only doing a light sand and painting o!er to the containers. Will it workK A (s with all building contractors and proBects# so$e do it# and some do it right. Eow long do you want the work to lastK I you were in a totally dry cli$ate like /e!ada# (ri&ona# or the +id*:ast# you $ight
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get away with Bust a Slight sand and paintT. In the rest o the world# especially those with nor$al to high hu$idity# the Slight sand and paintT is not acceptable or long ter$ construction proBects. S=ou can do it# or do it rightT. ( pro essional will not cut corners at the base o the proBect. B +ust I know anything special regarding electrical connections or wiring. A /o# there is nothing di erent about and I,B- based building than any other type building. (ll $ust be built to $eet Building Codes and they are 9uite standard. ( wall is a wall# whether $ade o wood# concrete# or steel. The sa$e bo%es# wires# and connections apply to all. B Do you know o any I,B- workshopsK A /o# !arious people ha!e discussed it# howe!er none ha!e e!er been organi&ed. There are so$e good reasons or this. The best is that cutting# $odi ying and building with an I,B- is really no di erent than any other construction. =ou are si$ply connecting and cutting pre abricated $odules. Then wiring# plu$bing# and insulating the$ as with any other building $ethod. B I'$ curious i any research has been done regarding application o cera$ic insulation to both the interior and e%terior o a structure# !ersus the outside only. Would a dual application increase the retention o cool or war$ air inside a conditioned structure to the point that it would be econo$ically wise to do it at the start o construction. A /o actual and speci ic testing has been done.
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Due to the low cost o adding the Scera$ic powderT to a paint# there is no reason not to use it inside and out ro$ the beginning. There are $any other bene its to using this in your coating. Please re er to the SCera$ic Coating CeportsT in the +e$ber ,ection. B I a$ interested in the structural tests and engineering o an I,B- E. container. I need it or the local Building Inspector. A We ha!e the structural speci ications in two areas. 6) In the C(D drawings section. 4) In the SGetting (ppro!ed CeportT in the +e$ber ,ection. )or your con!enience# we will be adding a section in this publication shortly. B I ha!e a coal burning plant <5 $iles ro$ $y ho$e selling ly ash cheapL I a$ hoping to screen it down and try to $ake eco*crete or insulating a shipping container and i I ha!e s$all spheres try so$e insulating paint . A )ly ash does contain the cenospheres that are used in Cera$ic coatings# howe!er they $ust be iltered out as you $ention. Without iltering# the )ly ash alone would not ha!e the sa$e e ect as pure cenospheres used in Cera$ic coatings. B Do Mindo 6HH7 <5 t EC containers and your <5 t EC specs pro!ided in container Tech. (*2 book sa$e. I $ean1 Is in or$ation pro!ided in your specs co$patible with Mindo 6HH7 containersK =our clari ication will be !ery highly appreciated. A Mindo brand o containers $eet all I,G speci ications so in that regard the strength and basic structure will be the sa$e.
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( 6HH7 $odel $ay ha!e so$e slight di erences in the roo corrugation but nothing that would e ect your basic drawings and usage or I,B- construction. B I a$ a new Cesearch $e$ber and a$ trying to obtain city appro!al or a 45 t container garage con!ersion. I a$ sub$itting a per$it to the city and need 'product appro!al' in or$ation. The building depart$ent will re9uire speci ications on wind !elocities. Can you direct $e to in or$ation regarding this docu$entationK A The speci ications listed in our (rchitectural Drawings and in the SGetting (ppro!ed CeportT are only !alid or an basic un*$odi ied container. That strength and data $ay change depending on your building design. I so# you will need an engineer to re!iew it# as with any other type construction. B What type o health ha&ard is there with welding@cutting o the I,B-# u$esK A That is a !alid 9uestion. I the I,B- is washed there would be nothing di erent than cutting or welding any other steel $aterial or structure. It's !ery sa e. B Can you pro!ide a drawing showing how a typical <5 t container is built. +ore speci ically a drawing showing the sidewalls. A The drawing and in or$ation are 9uite detailed in the S(rchitectural DrawingsT chapter. Gur new S,earchT unction should help locating those ite$s now. B Today I got in an argu$ent with $y container dealer regarding the cleaning and painting process. Ee is only sanding and painting certain scratches and dents and not resur acing the entire container. =our book says to sand blast and re inish. KK
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:;ote' we contacted the reader to learn the actual use of his container< A =our container dealer is correct. I you read our words care ully you will see we $ake it clear regarding the intended use o the containers. I or long ter$ building I construction o ho$es# shelters# etc. it is reco$$ended that e!erything be taken down to bare $etal# pri$ered and re inished so you can ha!e that guarantee o 45*75 years without rust or corrosion. Eowe!er# we also state that when used or Sstorage unitsT as you are doing# there is no need or this. =our container dealer is doing all that is needed unless you really pre er a ull recondition and pay e%tra. B I was hoping to see $ore detail on SEow ToT steps and so$e house designs. A /ow the new or$at is co$plete we will be adding $ore o those topics and designs daily. It will be 9uite co$plete by the ti$e we reach 0ersion ?.5 (ugust 6<.
3lease su/mit #our ;uestions0
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