How to fix to shipping containers!

[Stew852]

I’ve been asked to do a job wiring and fitting out lights and sockets in a single skin shipping container.

How do I fix to the walls?

I don’t want to self tap to the walls and I don’t weld. Any other options?

 

[DPG]

Bond plywood to it maybe?

 

[pc1966]

The kitted-out containers used as secure site offices typically have a wooden frame with platerboard (or maybe plywood for strength) on top. That makes it easy to fix to as there is a gap of typically 5cm filled with thermal insulation behind them (just no long screw).

If it is just for a basic setup then as suggested try bonding some wood to the panels. Not sure what sort of glue to use though. However, if they are OK with some holes you could screw the beams on from the outside, making sure you put some silicone sealant under the screw heads so the hole is watertight.

Given they already have a wooden frame for the shelves, if that is staying in the final arrangement then just put some panels or cross-beams on to that.

 

[Stew852]

Bond plywood to it maybe?

Might be the best idea.

 

[Vortigern]

Last container I did on the docks we were required to not pierce or touch the metal structure because of earthing considerations.

 

[Risteard]

I got them to get a welder to weld unistrut to the container. There is a double skin at the top to screw into as well.

 

[davesparks]

Be careful with the glue you use, those walls can get quite hot when the sun gets on the outside of them and things might start slipping done the wall.

Normally containers are lined by basically wedging battens between floor and ceiling and between walls, gaps filled with insulation and then ply lined.

Without any lining they are going to suffer with terrible condensation problems in there.
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I got them to get a welder to weld unistrut to the container. There is a double skin at the top to screw into as well.

Interesting, did they use the ungalvanised unistrut intended for welding?

 

[Stew852]

I got them to get a welder to weld unistrut to the container. There is a double skin at the top to screw into as well.

Thanks for the reply. I think I’ll need to get him to get unistrut welded and then mount boards to that.

 

[littlespark]

Magnets!

 

[freddo]

We sometimes install boiler wiring in containers for a local company that carries out biomass boiler installations. They supply us with these sealing washers and stuff is attached to the walls using nuts and bolts through the washers, a sealing cap then clips over the top.

 

[Marvo]

We've used a stud welder before to affix to the inside of shipping containers. It was basically a small spot welder that you loaded a 2 inch piece of M6 or M8 threaded rod into and it spot welded it to the bare steel wall. The welded studs were very strong and it was very quick to use, you just had to clean a small patch of the steel wall with a grinder and flapdisk first before welding the rod in place.

**Edit It was something similar to this except the welder we rented was a Chinese version, that said it worked pretty well.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Wired one in Galv conduit once. Got a spot welder there for a coupler of hours to weld the saddles, boxes and board to the unit. Think I paid him about £100 bit made for a professional job.

 

[Zerax]

As Dave has already said... those walls could be almost running with condensation in the winter... they could be puddles on the floor ! I'd want to know what they intend to use it for before I committed to an installation method.

 

[ruston]

As Dave has already said... those walls could be almost running with condensation in the winter... they could be puddles on the floor ! I'd want to know what they intend to use it for before I committed to an installation method.

And they can be hotter than a Sauna in the summer.
As Dave said , boarding and insulation is a consideration.
As it is having a power supply it does seem likely that it is going to be occupied to some degree.