FREQUENTLY ASKED SHIPPING CONTAINER QUESTIONS

Electrical and plumbing can both be connected very easily by a licensed electrician or plumber through external portals on the container. Please note that the electrical connection has high voltage, and customers should hire an electrician to safely connect the container to power.

Yes. The modular nature of container building is one of its benefits. Read this case study for an example of how phase installation served a previous customer.

All structures are subject to the building codes of the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). There will also be variations in code requirements depending on the size and use of your project and whether it's temporary or permanent. Falcon Structures is a proud provider of AC462 code compliant shipping containers, meaning we can provide containers approved by the ICC-ES for use as building materials. Choosing AC462 code compliant containers will dramatically streamline your permitting process because your local coding official will know that your containers are safe and fit for use as building materials. For guidance specific to your project, contact us.  

The walls, roof and floor of a container are not strong enough to withstand the pressure from dirt or water.  We absolutely do not recommend burying a container to any depth.

Prior to freezing temperatures, open and drain the lines or keep a running drip to prevent pipes from bursting.

If the container will be unoccupied and subject to freezing temperatures, open and drain the lines or keep a running drip to prevent pipes from bursting. We also recommend clearing the plumbing traps (the “U” shaped pipes) using a wet/dry shop vacuum.

Frozen Lines

• Standing water inside water lines may freeze and cause pipes to burst in cold water.
  • If freezing temperatures are anticipated, open and drain the lines or keep a drip going to prevent the pipes from bursting.
  • If the container will be unoccupied and subject to freezing temperatures, we recommend clearing the plumbing traps (the “U” shaped pipes) using a wet/dry shop vacuum.
• Be sure to check the roof for any leaks or holes. If there is a deep rust area or hole, contact a roofer to install a patch.

How to detect leaks:

• Confirm the source of moisture is a leak and not condensation.
• Check the seals of any post-delivery modification.
• Check the caulking around doors and windows as well as seams between multi-container structure.
• Inspect the roof for rust or holes.

Follow this simple checklist to maintain your container structure:

As Needed:

• Remove heavy debris and snow from roof.
• Remove visible dirt. This will help prevent damage to paint which can lead to rust.
• Maintain interior flooring. See page 2 of this document for a floor maintenance guide.

Annual Checklist:

• Inspect roof for dents and debris. It is important to fill major dents with a sealant, such as caulk, to prevent further damage.
• Inspect caulking and weather stripping on doors and windows for leaks. Replace as needed.
• Inspect the level of the container. Some settling of the foundation and the container is normal. Re-level if necessary.
• Inspect paint. Repaint rust patches as needed.
• If applicable, check and replace the A/C unit filter. For additional assistance, we recommend contacting the climate control system manufacturer.

Vinyl Plank Flooring

This surface is stain-resistant, easy to clean, and it can withstand high traffic.

Mop with cleaner and water. DO NOT HOSE DOWN. Water may soak between the planks when flooded.

Vinyl Coin Flooring

This surface protects against oil, dirt, acid, and more. It is useful for moderate to high traffic and frequent cleaning.

Vinyl coin is water-resistant. It can be mopped and hosed down

Marine-Grade Plywood Flooring

This flooring comes with most shipping containers and is infused with a small amount of insecticides to repel bugs, not harm people.

Marine-Grade Plywood is not water-resistant. We recommend a clean sweep or vacuum to remove unwanted dust and dirt.

Bamboo Flooring 

Bamboo flooring is the less common alternative to the Marine-Grade Plywood flooring that comes with many shipping containers.

If necessary, use non-detergent soap. We do not recommend using harsh chemicals or allowing water to sit on the surface for a long time.

Epoxy Floors

An Epoxy coating on the container floor provides resistance to water, alkali, and acids. Falcon uses water-based epoxy paint for wood floors.

Epoxy floors can be hosed down. If needed, the surface can be re-coated with more epoxy paint.

Aluminum or Steel Floors

Aluminum or steel floors are watertight. They can be sprayed with warm water and wiped down.

If necessary, use non-detergent soap. We do not recommend using harsh chemicals or allowing water to sit on the surface for a long time.

Epoxy Walls

An Epoxy coating on the container floor provides resistance to water, alkali, and acids. Falcon uses water-based epoxy paint.

Epoxy walls can be hosed down. If needed, the surface can be re-coated with more epoxy paint.

Aluminum or Steel Walls

Aluminum or steel walls are watertight. They can be sprayed with warm water and wiped down.

If necessary, use non-detergent soap. We do not recommend using harsh chemicals or allowing water to sit on the surface for a long time.

FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Plastic) Walls

FRP is plywood paneling covered with textured white plastic. Falcon covers the seams between panels with trim strips.

FRP can be scrubbed with cleaner and water. DO NOT HOSE DOWN. Water can enter the seams between panels.

Drywall (Sheetrock)

Exposed drywall is porous and does not react well to water and certain chemical cleaners. Detergents can damage the wall.

Use a duster or vacuum to dust the wall. Then wipe down with a damp sponge using water only.

Plywood Walls

The texture of plywood is pronounced. Knots and ripples in the grain can be seen even after the plywood has been painted.

Unfinished plywood interiors absorb moisture quickly and can stain. It should be dusted with a duster or vacuum.

Sanded Wood Paneling Walls

Sanded Wood Paneling has a tight grain and smooth finish, so the walls appear smooth once painted.

After the panels are painted, the surface can be cleaned with a mild detergent.

It is important to place the container on flat, level ground, a gravel pad, or a concrete pad. Relevel as needed to prevent moisture build-up, plumbing issues, sticky doors, and the nesting of wildlife.

Leveling

• Ensure the container’s four corners are in contact with the ground.
• The floor cross members on the underside of the container should not touch the ground.
• Each corner casting must be level with the other corner castings.

Blocking

• A means of placing materials such as cinder blocks, railroad ties, or other blocks underneath the corners to level a container and create ground clearance.
• Blocked containers make slight leveling adjustments easier. For additional height, place pieces of treated plywood under the corners. Blocking is useful for abases such as bare earth or gravel pads that can get soggy and wet which will result in the container settling.
• To prevent floor sagging, we recommend blocking the edges of sidewall openings over 6’feet wide, i.e., multiple roll-up doors, oversized roll-up doors, and sliding glass doors.
• Blocking the container also adds height to the recommended ground clearance of 6 inches which creates an open area that discourages animals from turning the space underneath the container into a nesting place.
• Be sure to use an appropriate jack or forklift to lift the container for blocking. Specialty container jacks are available and have the advantage of using a peg that locks into the opening in the corner casting.

Musty Odors

• Replace the filters as needed.
• For PTAC units:
  • Hire a professional to clean the evaporator coil.
  • Clear the condensation drain line.
  • Check the air duct lines for any leaks.

Climate Control System Not Pushing Hot or Cold Air:

• Allow the climate control system 15 minutes to reach the desired temperature.
• On very hot or cold days climate control systems may take longer to reach the desired temperature.

Thermostat Not Triggering the Unit to Turn On

• First, confirm the unit is receiving power by checking the circuit breaker to make sure it did not trip. For PTAC units, also confirm the power switch is in the “On” position.
• Second, change the batteries inside the thermostat.
• For PTAC units, if the unit remains off, rest the thermostat by completing the following:
  • While holding “Up” and “Down” keys together, press “Off” twice and release.
  • Press “Heat” until the display reads “C1”.
  • Press “Up” until the display reads “L5”.
  • Press “Off”.

Additional Climate Control Issues

• For PTAC units, call Amana at 877-376-0214.
• For Wall-mount units, call Falcon Structures at 512-231-1010.
• The following information, which is found on PTAC units by removing the front cover/grill and to the left side of wall-mount units, is needed:
  • Model number
  • Serial number
  • Point of contact
  • Address where unit is located

How to open cargo doors: https://www.falconstructures.com/blog/how-to-open-a-cargo-shipping-container-door

Sticky Doors

• Shipping container cargo doors are heavy, but the average person should be able to open them. If the doors are difficult to open:
  • Apply a lubricant to hinges.
  • Ensure the container is level and relevel as needed.

Mildew

• If the caulk and weather stripping around the doors and windows are cracked or peeling, humidity from outside may enter the container. Moisture can become trapped causing mildew. To prevent moisture issues:
  • Check for leaks
  • Check and reseal caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows.

Leaks

• Condensation can often be mistaken for a leak. Check the seals on doors and windows to determine if humidity from outside could be entering the container and condensing on the walls, windows, or ceilings.
• If your structure is made from multiple containers, the joints should be covered with the provided plating then sealed with caulking or welded closed.
• Inspect the seams between containers to check for cracks or peeling.
• Any modifications made to the container after delivery, such as cutting additional holes in the walls, must be properly sealed as they can create points of ingress for moisture.
• Be sure to check the roof for any leaks or holes. If there is a deep rust area or hole, contact a roofer to install a patch.

How to detect leaks:

• Confirm the source of moisture is a leak and not condensation.
• Check the seals of any post-delivery modifications.
• Check the caulking around doors and windows as well as seams between multi-container structures.
• Inspect the roof for rust or holes.

Slow Drains, Plugs, and Unpleasant Odors:

• Most plumbing problems arise when the container settles into a non-level position. If the container settles and changes the angle of the plumbing lines, wastewater may be slow to drain or pool in certain sections, possibly creating unpleasant odors. Wastewater should instead exit the container at a downhill slope.
• If the container has plumbing that won’t be used for a while, place a cap on the plumbing port to prevent small animals, such as mice, from entering.

How to manage plumbing issues:

• Ensure the container is level. Re-level as needed.
• Flush only toilet paper down toilets.