Container bodies, if you have the space, are often a simple low cost solution to storage issues.
They can be useful both in terms of giving additional storage space, or for use as a bulk storage facility for products that you would prefer not to be storing in your main buildings.
As such they have a very real and useful role however when considering their use there are things that should be considered.
- They have timber floors so storage of in particular flammable liquids has to be organised in such a way as to prevent an accumulation of drips and run off soaking into the timber floor and presenting a high fire hazard.
- Once again in view of the timber floor the storage of flammable items under containers should be avoided.
- Whilst they often seem to be quite drafty, their ventilation is poor and an accumulation of fumes away from the door is a real possibility if additional ventilation isn’t added.
- They have no insulation at all, especially in summer this can be issue if the container is not sited to get shade for most of the day.
- Is there adequate lighting? A container body is fine in full light in the summer but in the middle of winter in the afternoon, they could represent a real hazard to employees, if they are unlit.
- Their security is not as good as it first appears, below you will find two links to real time footage of entries into containers. I am sure after you have viewed the footage you will appreciate that unless you think through and substantially improve you security they should not be used for the storage of goods that are of a high value to you either on a monetary or strategic basis. It is quite shocking how quickly they can be accessed, and it is made slightly worse by the trend towards repainting the damaged rivet, so there is no evidence of entry!
- One last thing to consider … on many insurance policies they are not automatically covered, so you need to check with your broker or insurer that they are.
Rivet Attack
Specialist Tool Attack
Overall I still think that container bodies can be an excellent low cost, simple solution to storage issues, but all of the risks need to be considered before they are used.
I hope this has given you some food for thought, and maybe it’s worth looking again at any containers you are using for storage. Are they really the ideal solution? Have all the issues been properly considered?
Tags: container, container storage, low cost storage, storage risk
