Prepare the site for a shipping container

01

Draw access, unloading, and placement separately

Start with the data sheet of the container you've chosen. Draw its place on the site plan with its external dimensions, the door side, and any protruding equipment. Add the path of the bulkiest objects and the space to move them in front of the doors. External dimensions don't tell you the door opening width or the space needed for daily loading.

Then draw the truck's route from the entrance it will actually use. Identify turns, the open gate, narrow passages, and the exit. Finally, indicate where the vehicle and its equipment can work. This area is different from the container's final spot: unloading equipment needs space and stable supports.

• Label the truck route, unloading area and final container position on the plan.
• Reference the photos with the same letters or numbers as on the drawing.
• Note measurements at narrow passages and other restricted points, not just at the gate.
• Mark permanent obstacles and those that can be moved before delivery.

02

Check the weight the ground can support

Gather what you know about the ground: natural soil, fill, old slab, prepared platform, slope, or recently worked areas. Note cracks, settlements, wheel tracks, and places where water stays after rain. These observations help the professional, but they don't measure the ground's bearing capacity.

A hard surface can hide uneven ground or a buried structure. Ground that's dry during the visit can also degrade after rain. Have the loaded container, the vehicle, and the unloading equipment assessed separately: they don't rest on the same spots and don't exert the same forces. A car passing or a photo doesn't prove the ground is suitable.

03

Have the supports designed for the ground and load

The choice depends on the ground, the actual mass of the container, its contents, and planned modifications. Even for a short period, these points still need checking. Adding supports at random doesn't necessarily distribute the load better: their position and strength must match the planned layout.

If a slab already exists, look into its characteristics and history instead of assuming it's strong enough. If work is needed, have the professional define the preparation and checks. Distinguish between work to support the container and work to let the vehicle arrive and the handling equipment stabilize.

04

Deal with water and utilities before earthworks

Watch where water comes from and where it goes. Find the low spots, downspouts, and runoff from neighboring buildings. Your site plan should keep water from pooling around the supports or making the truck route impassable. Plan drainage together with the rest of the site: diverting water to another area can just move the problem.

Before you drill or dig, locate known utilities and structures: pipes, cables, manholes, pits, or tunnels. Tell the carrier about them too. A wheel or equipment support must not rest on a fragile area without checking it first. Pass the information to the professionals and follow local verification procedures.

05

Keep the spot usable after placement

Check the path people will use, not just the truck's. Where will the person opening the container stand? How will a long item or a pallet get through? Which doors need to stay accessible when the storage is full? Reserve the clearances you need on the plan, then mark them before delivery so they don't become a parking spot or a pile of materials.

Also leave room to inspect the outside, maintain the doors, and reach the equipment. A refrigerated or modified container may need clearance for ventilation, electrical connections, or maintenance. Check the container's data sheet and the equipment manuals: its length in feet alone won't tell you these needs.

06

Settle the last details before booking

Send the dated plan, photos with the spots marked on the plan, and a description of the work. Get it in writing who prepares the ground, builds the supports, unloads, and places the container in its final spot. Delivery, unloading, and leveling may be billed separately. Don't assume everything is included just because it happens on the same day.

List what still needs to be finished before delivery: unfinished supports, blocked access, unmarked location, or unloading method still to be chosen. A change of location, heavy rain, or recent work can call the initial assessment into question. Tell the provider before the truck leaves.

07

Check the placement, then keep an eye on the supports and doors

During handling, stay out of the area the operator defines and don't walk under the load. After placement, when access is declared safe, check the position against the plan: door direction, supports, clearances, and access to equipment. Test opening and closing without forcing. Take photos to keep a record of the condition at delivery.

At commissioning, and after any major change, look at the doors, accessible supports, and signs of water or settling. If a door gets harder to close or something moves, have the supports and installation checked. Don't try to move a support yourself under a loaded container. Have the situation examined by the relevant professionals.