Shipping Container Care

Container Quick Tips and Care Instructions

• When you are loading your items into your shipping container make sure the items are dry and moisture-free; this is so you do not leave moisture in the container resulting in condensation.
• Keep a check on the double end doors hinges and locking bars, apply oil to lubricate the hinges and the locking bars on a regular basis to keep them moving freely.
• To keep your shipping container free of condensation, keep a little space free at the top of the container and the sides to allow the air to circulate around the container. This helps when the temperature rises and allows the heat to disperse not resulting in condensation.
• When planting the shipping container, make sure it is level and the doors are able to freely open and close. For more information about planting your shipping container check out the section below.
• Be sure to remove your CISA lock or U Bolt lock from the locking box(if this applies) as opening the shipping container with the CISA lock or U Bolt lock still attached can damage the locking bars.
• When closing the shipping container make sure the doorkeepers are in place at the top and the bottom of the shipping container doors as if they are not in the keepers this can result in the locking bars getting damaged.

Planting Your Shipping Container

• When planting a shipping container the best surface for the container to sit on is a flat surface that allows the weight to be spread to the four corner casts.
• For uneven surfaces, we recommend using paving slabs that will level out the ground and make it more suitable for a shipping container to be planted. The use of paving slabs only needs to be on the four corner posts as the corner posts are the lowest parts of the shipping container, and will touch the ground first.
• If the shipping container is planted on an uneven surface it can result in the shipping container not sitting straight meaning the double doors may be tough or unable to open and close. Also, it could make the body of the container twist.
• Once the ground is level or has been prepared the shipping container will be lifted and planted in place.
• The area where the shipping container will be placed will need to be prepared before the delivery driver has arrived on site.
• We can arrange to come and visit the location for the container to see if the access for the delivery truck and a suitable location for the shipping container to be planted.*There will be a charge to do this
• If the container is being delivered using a HIAB lorry (if this applies) please check for any overhead cables or any other obstructions. This is in case the HIAB may not be able to extend the lifting arm out to lift the container to the ground.

How to Open your Shipping Container

To open your shipping container there is a step-by-step procedure to follow to correctly open the containers double doors, so you do not cause damage to the doors, seals and locking bars.

• Make sure your lock is off from under the locking box (if that applies)
• Your shipping container will usually come with 2 corten steel doors (bespoke modified jobs may have different) on these there will be 4 locking bars 2 on each door (some containers may have less locking bars). The double doors open right-hand side first.
• Make sure the locking laspes are rotated out the way of the locking bar handles.
• Using the two handles on the right-hand door lift out from the locking bar handles mounts.
• Slowly start pulling the two locking bar handles towards yourself and you will see the door start to open.
• Once the right-hand container door is open repeat the process on the left-hand door to open it.
• Both of the double end doors will be open, they can be heavy and also be careful on a windy day as they can be blown closed.

How to Close your Shipping Container

• To close the shipping containers double doors, close the left-hand door first making sure the locking bars go into their locking keepers at the top and the bottom of the container. Using the the far locking bar first start to tighten up and the door will close up and it means the second locking bar will start to get into position to be closed.
• Once in position tighten up both locking bars on the left door and put the handles into the mounts and close the locking lapses. The door is now closed
• Repeat the process to close the right-hand door.
• Lock the container using the lock in the lock box(if that applies) or using a standard lock you can lock it on the locking lapse and locking handle meaning the locking bars are unable to turn and open with the lock on.