Containers For Sale: Important Things To Know

Shipping containers are becoming more and more popular for storage, commercial activity, and even as a residential home.

But, if you’re looking at containers for sale online or locally, it’s crucial that you closely examine the container before purchasing. Inspecting details such as ID numbers and manufacturing details can give you information about whether the container you have chosen is suitable for you and your needs.

This will help you avoid disastrous scenarios such as structural failure, health and safety risks, and compromising your storage items due to purchasing an old or faulty container.

We wrote this blog to help you avoid scenarios, just like the one mentioned above. There are rules and regulations for standards and shipping purposes that apply to help protect the safety of yourself, others, and your container.

In this blog, we’ll walk through things to know when buying containers for sale, region laws and shipping containers Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth.

Things To Know When Buying A Container

Prepare And Level Your Delivery Site

It is essential to be ready for your container delivery upon its arrival. This way, you can avoid things like not being able to receive your container due to overlooked conditions, standards, and safety requirements.

First things first, after choosing your container dimensions and size, ensure you have a suitable place in-mind of where you want it to be delivered. Then you can begin by clearing the space from any debris, fallen branches, and trees that might be in the way.

When choosing a foundation convenient for you, you have three different options to consider depending on your desired space. This part is crucial in ensuring the safety of your container, yourself, and your staff members.

Concrete slabs are the more expensive option that requires a team of professionals to have the installation done for you. The reason being is that they will have the proper materials, equipment, and knowledge regarding this procedure.

Placing your shipping container on concrete slabs is a viable option when you are working with incredibly unstable and uneven grounds. Keep in mind, having this done ahead of time is crucial to ensure the concrete is ready and dry for your shipping container delivery.

Concrete footings are a cheaper option that requires to be done ahead of time; this is to ensure the concrete can correctly set. Things to consider before laying the concrete slabs are the size and dimensions of your shipping container.

Have your container information handy for accurate placement between the concrete footings, as well as the sizing of your footings.

Wooden footings are an easy and convenient option when you do not require any special modifications when it comes to your containers, such as placing it on a hill or unstable ground.

Wooden footings are easy to manoeuvre and do not require long hours of prep time.

The wooden footings can be purchased at local hardware stores near you at lower costs.

Before choosing a foundation for your shipping container, it is helpful to answers these questions:

• What is the weight of your container?
• What is/will be the contents of your container?
• Are there any water level changes nearby?
• What are the council by-laws?
• Do you have the right materials to make a foundation?
• What is the climate of your region?

Having the details worked out, from minor to complicated will help you determine the proper foundation you need for your container, and help save time by having this done correctly in the first place.

Air Ventilation Is Top Priority

You now have your container well established in your desired space with proper footings, ready to use. Have you considered what the ventilation system is like in your container? Regardless of storage use or a liveable space option, air ventilation should be the top priority.

Proper air ventilation is a simple feature that helps the shipping container to stay cool all year round and combat those too hectic days during the summertime. When using a shipping container for a workshop, air vents also help with removing sawdust, paints smell, and chemicals out of the air.

Most shipping containers come with pre-installed triple screened vents that help keep out the critters, and transition through different weather adjustments. Where in some cases make your container sufficient enough depending on the desired use. Take into consideration that if you are located in an area with lower humidity, extra vents may not be necessary. In contrast, significant changes in temperature between day and night may require a roof vent installed. Why is it essential to have proper air ventilation in a container? Without air ventilation, in your shipping container, there is a high risk of damaging your container contents due to moisture. Having moisture build-up is a recipe for rusting electronics and mouldy furniture. Not to mention saying goodbye to important paper files.

Shipping containers can be as hot as an oven during the summer season. Steel is a great conductor of heat, and with cut-off ventilation, the container continues to rise in temperature. Not to mention, this creates an unworkable and unsafe environment for you and those around you.

The main risk of controlling the airflow in your container is to avoid fire and explosion; this is especially something to be aware of when storing paint, chemicals, and other flammables.

Air ventilation is a safety precaution when storing chemicals and paints due to fume build-up and air poisoning. Failure to overlook this safety measure is a risk to goods being severely damaged, and putting people’s lives at risk.

Installing air ventilation in your shipping container can be done professionally or as a DIY project. The standard type of ventilation installed is turbine roof vents which are recommended in a liveable space; they use wind power to suck the hot air out.

A Whirlybird is dependent on the airflow which sucks the cooler air and discharges the hot air. This type of ventilation creates airflow but does not lower the temperature. Installing side vents, also known as louvre vents, on each side of the container, creates instant airflow.

As the louvre vent spins, it sucks the air out. To ensure you have proper ventilation, we recommend pairing the louvre vent with a turbine vent for the best results.

The Container Safety Convention (CSC)

When you are planning to transport your shipping container overseas, you must have a “CSC SAFETY APPROVAL” which was first established in 1972 between the International Maritime Organisation and the United Nations.

The International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) is designed to audit two main intentions which are based around human life and safety in transporting and handling the containers.

The second intention is to provide consistent safety regulations for and during the international transport of shipping containers. Having the CSC approval will allow the minimum custom safety control of the international transport of the container.

A CSC plate, found on the outside of the left door of the container, at the time of manufacture. The requirement is to have information displayed in either English or French stating the country of approval, approval reference, and “CSC SAFETY APPROVAL”.

Other information found on the CSC plate is the month and year of the manufacture date and the identification number. In some cases, instead of an ID number, a container’s operational number will be given or a number provided by Administration.

The containers max net mass will be stated on the CSC in both kilograms and lbs, along with the stacking load value.

Nowadays, we have a Combined Data Plate, which will include the CSC information along with the following: - The Customs Convention for Containers - The floor treatment applied in the container for the Australian Agriculture Authorities - The operational number and the name of the container’s operator

Keep in mind; any authorised professional has the right to deem a container unsafe for use giving him the authority to take the container out of service. You are encouraged to keep the latest script of your CSC. Here is a list of distributors where you can get your copy and find out more information on the Convention of Safe Containers requirements.

Dimensions Of Your Shipping Container

When going out to browse through shipping containers, we advise having as much information with you as possible around the uses and needs you want out of your container. The last thing you want is to buy a container too small for your needs or too big for your space.

The 10 ft containers are suitable for everyday storage, extra equipment and tools. The 20 ft and 40 ft container options are recommended for larger scale items such as vehicles and living spaces.

Containers For Sale Sydney

Shipping Container Sydney

Whether you are looking to hire a shipping container to finally open that small cafe or construct a granny flat in your backyard, having a shipping container delivery is now easier than ever. We recommend looking for a highly experienced and knowledgeable company to help you out. #### Shipping Container Melbourne

Are you living along the water in the beautiful city of Melbourne? Or are you a savvy business owner wanting to open a food truck with your grandmother’s recipes? Getting a container delivery is as easy as 1,2,3. #### Shipping container Brisbane

We are here to make your storage container needs stress free. Are you managing a construction site and in need of a temporary work-space? Or perhaps a hand during moving and removalists sound like a wonderful idea right about now.

Shipping container Perth

Are you looking for trusted container hire in Perth? We now have options to hire second-hand or new containers in your area. Whether you are located in the south or the west, there are options for you, and no, you are not too far away!

Call A Trusted Professional Today

We know it can be hard to decide on what container to get or which company out there is the right one for you. Look no further; we are here to make this process as easy and straightforward for you.

Now with options for delivery all across South Australia, you can have your shipping container be delivered anywhere! We place a high value on relationships and the time of our customers.

Call today to speak with one of our friendly staff and arrange a delivery or simply answer questions you have regarding all things shipping containers for sale.