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ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
SIZES AND DETAILS OF
CONTAINERS
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Sizes: Containers come in 2 standard external sizes (all
Imperial) which are 40 foot by 8 foot (12 m x 2.4 m) or 20 foot
by 8 foot. (6 m x 2.4m)
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Height: Standard height is 8 foot (2.4m), although “hicubes”
are available which are 9.5 feet high (2.9m).
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Doors: Each container has one end with two doors, each
slightly smaller than 4 foot by 8 foot (1.2m by 2.4m)
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Colours: Containers come as standard in a small range of colours and the
paints used are extremely strong (designed to withstand
battering on the open seas). However they can be painted any
colour in the factory.
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Construction: They are made of “corten” steel and thus are
resistant to rust. The steel panels (walls and roof) are all 2
mm thick.
USES
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They
can be used for a very wide range of uses including: workshops,
workspace, offices, live/work units, residential, nursery,
community use, retail and storage etc.
GETTING STARTED
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Land: Users will need land to build on, but this can be a
small plot.
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Planning: In the UK planning permission is required for any
development involving containers. The first thing to do is to
check that your proposed use fits with the local plan. We can
offer a design and planning application service if required.
DESIGNS
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Internal layout: USM provide a design and build service,
with layouts planned around your needs. Do not forget that these
are modular units and the design is dictated by their width and
height.
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Spaces: The main thing we have done is to combine containers
by stacking them and taking out their internal walls, so that
a range of spaces are created – all based around 16, 24 or
32 foot wide rooms – whose lengths can be varied up to 40 feet.
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Fittings: It is possible to include anything from bathrooms
and toilets to kitchens, with a wide variety of facilities such as
heaters, windows, doors, shutters and balconies etc.
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Cladding: Is possible too. While the external steel envelope is
wonderful, it is not for everyone and cladding can be arranged
in a variety of materials e.g. A range of wood treatments,
insulated render etc.
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Stacking: Containers are designed to stack up to 10 stacked
high if empty. They are very robust and we are building at
anything from ground to 5 stories high.
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Engineering: We have devised a system which ensures that
engineering problems are solved in our standard design and build
system. This includes issues relating to stresses, wind
loads and foundations.
CONSTRUCTION
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Building Regulations: The container buildings are all
designed to comply with current building regulations.
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Foundations: Pad foundations are
needed at the nodes rather than deep piling – typically a depth
of 300mm is required with further engineering depending on the
ground conditions.
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Services: Water, drainage and power are all required at the
site. Services such as power and drainage can be run either
internally or externally. We recommend that electricity is used
for heating. Heating costs are
generally low as they are so well insulated.
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Windows: We have a great circular window made of anodised
aluminium. There are sensible engineering reasons for using
circular windows (no stress put on the structure), but other
shapes can be used. All glass has to comply with Building
Regulations.
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Roof: There are many ways of dealing with waterproofing –
from a simple flat roof with external insulation (the cheapest),
to a standard industrial roof finish with integral insulation,
to a “green” roof.
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Insulation and internal walls: We insulate the inside of the
external envelope behind the plasterboard walls.
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Fire regulations: The buildings comply with fire
regulations, though each different design will need to be
assessed with regard to escape. Larger buildings will require
fire alarm systems, call points etc.
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Lifts and access: In the UK all new buildings must comply
with the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act 1995) and this
includes rules on access at ground and other floors. In most
cases, spaces over 2 stories high will need to have lift access.
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Process: Our factory in Wales produces containers that are
85% complete. They are then shipped to the construction site.
Generally it takes a day or less to install
approximately nine containers (by crane)
when they arrive at site – the ground and services having been
prepared earlier. Completing the interior will take longer
depending on the complexity of the design.
SECURITY
NOISE
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Container Buildings, being well insulated, have low noise
transmission. But as they are
insulated there is no echo and neighbourly
noise is generally not a problem. Floor to floor sound travel is
almost nothing as two containers positioned on top of each other
only touch at the nodes.
CONDENSATION
FLEXIBILITY
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Moving them: They are designed to move and this system can
also include that as a design element if that is useful.
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Lifespan: We have not run tests, but all our professionals
point to their life as at least 30 and more likely 50 years
(though of course internal fitting out and
external maintenance of the paint will be needed)
INTERNATIONAL LINKS
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Our
New York office deals with the USA.
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We
are working on a design and engineering book which we would sell
to interested customers. If you are interested in this, do
contact us for further information.
PRICING
Prices
will vary depending on the nature of the use, the fittings and
heights. Excluding design, planning, foundations, lift(s), services
to site and VAT the average prices for provision of completed
containers on site with :
Workspace Average £50-65/sq.ft - £500 -
700/sq.m
Residential Average £60-70/sq.ft - £600 - 750/sq.m
Other
e..g community building Average £55-70/sq.ft - £550 - £750/sq.m |
