The Strength & Efficiency of Shipping Container Shelters

Recent trends in Green Construction pushed experts to find better and more efficient building techniques worldwide. One popular method developed more heavily over the past decade is called Shipping Container Design. This method is an innovative way to use old shipping containers in your new construction project.

If you have an old shipping container sitting around in great shape, complete with roof, walls, and flooring, why not turn it into a functional office building or sheltering system?

Why are Shipping Container Shelters Becoming Popular?

Shipping container shelters are becoming quite popular, and that is due to some significant reasons.

When it comes to building shelters, people tend to look at a few different factors:

1. How strong are shipping containers?

2. Are they easy to assemble, disassemble, and maintain?

3. Are they environmentally friendly?

The Strength of Shipping Containers

There is a massive variety of shipping containers, which vary from small to large sizes. These are available in different configurations, and you should consider what your needs are before deciding on a particular container.

The strength of a container is determined by the density and weight of its material. The heavier the material, the higher the load strength of shipping containers.

Most containers that are made up of corrugated steel are mainly used for commercial purposes. However, there are other materials available that can withstand heavy cargo.

Some container suppliers make use of fiberglass, which is also quite sturdy. Others use wooden containers, which are also very good for holding cargos with better mobility. However, these shipping container materials might need substantial renovations and remodeling. They’re almost always non-recommendable for shelter repurposing.

In most cases, steel-based shipping containers are used in building shelters. They’re made up of thick steel sheets and panels strategically aligned for full foundation, including the roof and walls.

You must check the strength of your container and ensure that it meets all the required criteria. If not, then you might have to make use of a different type of container.

The Efficiency of Shipping Containers

Shipping container shelters can be built on-site using local resources, so your project is done in days, or it can take as long as a month, depending on the size of the shelter and the materials, tools, and labor you choose to enforce.

Many companies offer deals on shipping containers repurposed as shelters. This is a win-win situation because you are using sustainable material for your building without getting rid of an older material that can no longer serve its primary purpose. It ultimately helps save the environment from the disposal of perfectly reusable material. They are also a great choice because they are a low maintenance type of building.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the best strength and efficiency of shipping containers, you must look at the container’s quality itself. 

The strength of shipping containers is highly essential when deciding to use them for your industrial or residential purposes. You have to ensure that your containers are efficient enough to hold the required amount of building applications, including the roof, walls, and flooring foundation. The construction and features must be capable of providing the best sheltering solutions.

Explore multiple shelter options and choose the best shipping containers systems that fit your needs. Check out our products and services here at Western Shelter!

Portable Shelters Designed For Disaster-Relief Emergencies

In any type of disaster that happens in a particular place, portable temporary shelters are one of the most significant immediate necessities that victims are going to need.

There are many different types of portable shelters out there, but you should know that you can definitely find one that suits the urgency of any situation.

If you want to know which one would fit your requirements, and what specific characteristics you want, find out the advantages and features of portable shelters designed for disaster-relief emergencies.

The Advantages of Portable Shelters

There are many types of portable shelters, and they have varying benefits. Let's discuss some of their general advantages.

The most common benefit of these shelters is that they keep you safe and "at-home" amid a life-changing disaster. These shelters offer you the feeling of safety and protection in an environment that you can't possibly control. But, they secure you from other natural occurrences like rain or hailstorms.

Most importantly, portable shelters provide a solution for accommodating temporary safe refuge for victims of emergencies and calamities. 

The Features of Portable Shelters

Shelters are made from various materials, and they come in different styles. These are the most common handy features present in the latest models of portable shelters.

• Portability. The first advantage of a portable shelter is that it is compact, and can carry it anywhere you need to go.

• Versatility. One of the best things about these shelters is that they come in a variety of sizes, and you can have them ready for use at any time and place.

• Rapid Deployment. A portable emergency shelter can easily be set up and assembled without the help of a professional. 

• Lightweight Frame. It is also easy to dismantle and move if you need to move it to a different location.

• Portable shelters can also be stored away when not in use.

Portable emergency relief shelters are usually constructed of highly durable materials. They can either come with poles that serve as a foundation and are available in different sizes. However, newer models don't include rods because they're entirely inflatable.

Even though they are generally lightweight, these shelters are sturdy enough to provide comfort to those who use them.

There are many different websites that you can go to if you are looking for the best shelters that will work best for your needs. If you are not sure of the features of different shelter models, you can go online and read reviews about them to make an informed decision about which one will work best for you.

Portable Shelters In Preparation For Emergencies

Portable emergency relief shelters are available in hardware and online stores. These shelters come in various colors and designs to suit different needs and applicable to all kinds of places. They come in multiple sizes as well. You can find the one that is suitable for your needs and budget. Make sure to look at the shelters' features before buying so that you don't end up purchasing something that will not be used for long.

Browse through our selection of portable shelter systems designed for various applications. Visit us here today!

6 Things You Need To Know About Shipping Container Sheds

Outdoor sheds are conventionally built from scratch, but only until custom shipping containers came into the picture.

We used to build outdoor sheds from the bottom to the top using materials like wood, steel, plastic, or concrete. When buyers started to appear in the market for shipping containers, it provided another alternative for building backyard sheds and other kinds of shelter systems.

As it turns out, repurposed shipping containers have many advantages over traditional sheds. They’re made of durable structures that can withstand harsh conditions even with minimal maintenance. Plus, it has an exciting touch of modernity that offers lots of creative possibilities.

What You Need To Know About Sheds Made of Shipping Containers

Are shipping containers durable enough to serve as sheds?

Shipping containers are among the most well-built equipment across many industries. They’re made from weathering steel, also known as COR-TEN steel from the U.S. trademark name.

The COR-TEN steel is a combined group of steels specifically developed to become resistant to atmospheric corrosion better than regular steels. It’s even used to build bridges and buildings. If that same material is present in shipping containers, it only proves that it has the kind of durability that can pass on for outdoor sheds.

Is the construction of shipping containers viable for shelters?

The steels used in manufacturing shipping containers are uniquely cut in equivalent sizes before they’re corrugated. The corrugation process provides additional strength for the equipment. The undercarriage is also made of reinforced steel beams.

A shipping container has a construction quality that does not depreciate quickly. Even after years of usage, it’s still viable to be repurposed as containerized shelters.

The only downside to steel is that it’s prone to rust formation. To prevent or at least slow down the formation of rust, you only have to put an outer layer of protection. A good paint job will cover all of its imperfections.

How much is the weight capacity of a shipping container shed?

A piece of equipment that has to carry tons of weight must also have loads of tare weight. The tare weight can determine the weight of goods it can carry.

For example, a 20-foot shipping container weighs about 1.8 to 2.2 metric tonnes or 3,970 to 4,850 pounds. Approximately, it can carry 50,000 to 60,000 pounds.

Imagine all the things you can do to your shed with such capacity.

How many times can a shipping container be used?

We’ll have to look at the usability of shipping containers in terms of years. Typically, a brand-new shipping container is used in the shipping service for 10 to 12 years. In the aftermarket, they can be repurposed for more or less than ten years, depending on the condition of the container.

What is the best type of shipping container used for building sheds?

There’s this one type of shipping container called the “One Trip” container, which is not used for multiple shipping services. They get loaded with one batch of cargo, and then they’re shipped back to the U.S. The companies intend to sell this type of container for storage markets or other purposes.

They’re the best type of shipping containers to be repurposed as custom sheds because they can be useful for over 25 years.

What are the advantages of converting shipping containers to custom sheds?

Aside from the facts about the durability and functionality of repurposed shipping containers, they have a long list of advantages.

5 Best Portable Designs for Emergency Relief Shelters

Providing adequate relief shelters during the earliest stages of disasters is critical to human survival. People who experience the aftermath of an emergency must have access to basic necessities, such as food, water, clothing, and shelter.

Disaster relief shelters are designed to provide a habitable space with all the resources that will sustain the survivors for quite some time.

Various kinds of relief shelters are specifically constructed for emergencies with portability features. Let’s take a look at the five most common shelters suitable for the immediate relief provisions:

Inflatable Tents

Inflatable tent relief shelters are portable, lightweight, and quick to deploy. Most designs don’t require tools for installation, although access to power may be needed. For emergencies, a small generator will suffice. In one hour, a team of two people can deploy tents for up to 20 families.

While other tents come with frames, an inflatable tent is sealed with zippers to minimize storage and transport requirements.

Check out the modular design of Sentry Airframe Shelter from Western Shelter.

Polyethylene Tents 

Standard portable relief tents are constructed with steel frames and outer covering. PVC is one of the most common materials used for shelter covering. However, laminated polyethylene is a better alternative with heavy-duty, moisture-proof, and UV resistant features.

They can withstand extreme hot and cold climates and moderately strong winds. These tents are versatile, which can be used for housing, medical, and industrial purposes.

You should also see Western Shelter’s most versatile GPR Premium Shelter. 

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)

SIPS relief shelters have a plug-and-play assembly for portability and low-scale fabrication.

This type of disaster relief shelter is constructed with structural insulated panels that are easy to install with flat-packed parts that don’t require tools.

The most ergonomic material used for emergency shelters is aluminum. It’s lightweight and durable, which makes it suitable for immediate and long-term use.

Modular Homes

Modular relief homes are a low-cost option for short to long-term housing purposes. They’re not always designed for providing immediate response after a disaster.

Some modular homes are easily assembled with PVC materials. They can also be constructed with concrete, packed dirt, or asphalt.

Portable or not, modular shelters are intended for providing security against heavy weather. However, they can serve as a temporary alternative for survivors who are trying to rebuild lost homes.

Shipping Container Homes

Shipping container homes are applicable for medium to long-term use. They can be easily transported by land or sea. A single 20-foot shipping container can provide a temporary house with complete built-in applications.

Containerized shelters can weather extreme conditions, which makes it suitable for areas prone to secondary disasters. They can also serve as habitation spaces for emergency relief volunteers on site.

Disaster Relief Shelters: Small to Large-Scale Disasters

The vital role of disaster relief shelters is applicable for small or large-scale disasters. The immediate response must include only the best portable emergency shelters to provide short-term rehabilitation for survivors.

Discover a wide variety of options for disaster relief shelters from Western Shelter. Contact us today!

The Importance Of Field Hospital Systems During The COVID-19 Crisis

Due to the surge of coronavirus cases in the United States and other countries, world governments are turning to military-style field hospitals to aid medical institutions that are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. These temporary sanatoriums are set up in different locations such as parking lots, stadiums, and open spaces near primary establishments.

Though most of these structures are made by the engineers of the US army, others are constructed by non-government organizations and companies that are manufacturing field support systems like Western Shelter. And these mobile hospitals are designed to care for patients who are infected with the coronavirus and also as a “relief valve” for medical hospitals that don’t have enough staff to address the pandemic situation.

Read more as we are going to tackle the importance of field hospital systems during the COVID-19 crisis in today’s post.

How do They work?

Field hospital systems are outdoor tent-like structures that are being set up to offer additional bed space. Likewise, repurposed buildings can also be classified as such.

In specialized areas near hospitals, field hospices are being installed to screen patients with symptoms of COVID-19 and to monitor the health of those who are infected.

A field hospital usually includes these different units to provide optimal health care:

• Admission or triage room

• Examination or emergency room

• Prep units

• Operating room

• ICU (Intensive Care Unit)

• Sterilization Unit

• Staffroom

• CT scan and radiology unit

• Laboratory and pharmacy

• Ward

• Portable toilets and showers

• Water pump and generators

Though the level of care may differ depending on the function, the main feature of these structures is to provide rapid deployment and immediate medical care for medical, private organizations, and the military.

What’s Inside A COVID-19 Mobile Hospital Unit?

1. Patients are brought in for an initial assessment at the admissions area.

2. Doctors conduct a check-up to determine if aggressive treatment is needed.

3. Patients who have severe symptoms are transferred to ICU to provide intensive medical care.

Additional feature includes:

• Patient beds

• Privacy partition

• Canvas covering

• Inflatable bracing (in some units)

• Air pump and generator

Why Are Field Hospitals Important During The Pandemic Crisis?

1. To Address The Issue With The Lack Of Bed Space And Hospital Staffing – As previously mentioned, field hospitals provide a sort of relief for hospitals that are already filled with coronavirus patients and prevent overcrowding. Aside from that, it also allows the medical facility to hire additional staff to address the surge of COVID-19 more efficiently.

2. To Maintain The Quality Of Medical Care That The Patient Needs - Mobile health care systems ensure positive support experience for COVID-19, which is very important in these times since there is no cure yet for this type of virus.

3. To Guarantee Proper Isolation Of Patients – And finally, field hospital systems are equipped with partitions to isolate patients with coronavirus and to prevent the virus from spreading further to healthy individuals and front-liners who are there to provide sufficient medical care for them.

Portable Power Distribution Equipment For Temporary Shelters

When setting up temporary shelters, one of the most common questions clients get concerned about is how to supply the electric power in the field. The perfect solution for that is to utilize portable power distribution equipment. They have the most convenient design for transitory lighting systems required by indoor or outdoor sites.

What is a Power Distribution box?

A power distribution block is a safe and cost-effective method of distributing electrical circuits from a single source to several multiple outputs. The panel is directly connected to the main power source and distributes it to the rest of the devices. It minimizes the use of wires to be installed in the panel and organizes the stream of circuits from larger to smaller wires. Distribution blocks aim to save time for electric assembly and costs on excess cable wires.

There are different kinds of power distribution equipment, depending on the need of the situation. They vary in size, power capacity, type of input/output outlets, and the number of outlets.

How to Benefit from Power Distribution Boxes

Power distribution boxes can be beneficial for disbursing larger circuits with increased efficiency. It can filter unused power, promote battery safety, and prevent power overload. The power capacity is best suited for hours of electricity-powered home or business events like parties, concerts, weddings, festivals, outdoor camping trips, and more.

Using a powerful distribution box cuts down the wires needed to dispense from the panel to certain devices. So, by saving the number of cable wires attached to the power source, it also significantly diminishes possible electrical waste. 

What is a Temporary Power Distribution box?

A temporary distribution box can be used as a provisional power source for various indoor or outdoor project sites. They function as power suppliers/distributors to temporary shelters that require electricity for a given period.

How to Power Temporary Shelters

Choosing a site for temporary shelters require access to electrical networks to secure power supply. Portable power distribution panels are connected to the main network and then distribute electricity to multiple assembled shelters. A site has particular requirements in terms of the amount of power supply, which determines the right equipment for the project.

Setting up temporary electrical lines for a whole site requires a plan to streamline safe and effective power distribution, such as assessing the following:

• Emergency power requirements

• Installation and operation of temporary power lines

• Maintaining, troubleshooting, and repair of emergency distribution equipment.

• Approved safety inspections on power distribution equipment

• Damage assessment on power distribution equipment

• Conditions and capacity of existing emergency generation equipment (if any)

Final Remark

Electric power is an essential factor to consider in setting up temporary shelters for all types of projects. It helps sustain basic needs for food, water, and medicine supply, equipment, appliance, and communication. Having a reliable source in a temporary area mobilizes all plans of action and achieves project goals.

Fundamentally, portable power distribution equipment enables various industries to achieve important work, especially for disaster-risk management teams. 

Contact Western Shelter for your portable power distribution equipment needs!