After you place an order for a shipping container, the next most important concern is its delivery and placing. For instance, it is necessary to level the container, so that the doors can be open and shut easily. Order your container from a company with competitive shipping container prices and one that delivers in your city. Coordinate with the person delivering it to your place and make sure they have the necessary equipment for placing it. Here are some tips on how to prepare a site for placing shipping containers.
Choosing a delivery method
Usually, shipping containers are delivered by truck. Depending on the type of container, it will either tilt trucks or trucks with side loaders. Tilt-bed trucks are used when cranes or forklifts aren’t available. These trucks can drop shipping containers on the required area and no extra equipment is required. A tilt-bed trailer should be used when delivering a 20ft shipping container. Deliveries are also made via hiabs, including levelling off the container.
Preparing the ground properly
The container should be placed on strong and level ground. Make sure that it is clear and free from debris. This is because moving even a 20ft shipping container after it has been placed is difficult. For people living in flooding-prone areas, adequate drainage needs to be arranged. In terms of foundations, some good options are cement, gravel, pavement, and hard grass/dirt. A container chassis can hold container firmly when they are kept off the ground.
Preparing the neighbouring space
Coordinate with the container company and let the driver know whether the site is a commercial or a residential location. They will need to determine if the container would need simple dropping or lowering on to the target are. A fundamental rule is to have two times the length of the container. The delivery truck could be quite large and heavy. Be prepared for any tracks made by the delivery vehicle.
Placing it on to the ground
A new shipping container can take the load of about 8 loaded containers. The container at the bottom can take a load of about 240 tons, the load falling on the corners. Containers are lifted from these four corner castings and it is here that the container’s load should rest. While placing, one can use independent plinths, for instance, bricks, concrete or wooden blocks. If you want to keep the floor dry and the under-structure free of rest, consider raising the container.
Tips on delivering it safely
An average 20ft shipping container is much heavier than an average car. Some general tips on safety are:
Always insist on unloading and placing the container slowly. Containers, when they fall, can cause serious injuries.
Follow the instructions of the delivery driver and stand clear of the way. You should not even try helping them to unlock any chains. Even after the delivery, adjusting work may take time.
Don’t try to adjust supports where another person is doing the same and is out of view. Work should be done on only one corner at a time.