Container homes are becoming increasingly popular in different states and counties across the U.S.
Around 30 million ISO standard intermodal shipping containers are used worldwide today. These containers are generally repurposed and converted for occupancy as per the design recommendations and specifications provided by the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International construction Code (IBC).
In addition to these codes, each state has its local permits and regulations.
Due to the increasing demand for shipping container homes and the need for considering container construction in applicable codes and regulations, the International Code Council (ICC) released the G5-2019 Guideline for the Safe Use of ISO Intermodal Shipping Containers Repurposed as Buildings and Building Components , followed by a new section for container construction in IBC 2021, in Chapter 31-Special Construction.
This article briefs the guidelines and regulations specified by IBC 2021 to use intermodal shipping containers as buildings or as a part of the structure.
The latest International construction Code (IBC 2021) has included section 3115 in chapter 31, exclusively for intermodal shipping container construction construction.
Note: Section 3115.1 of chapter 31 provides certain exceptions that mention the details of containers that require other code references and standards for their construction.
In addition to normal construction construction documents prepared for construction permits, container home construction needs a few additional documents, as mentioned in Chapter 31 of IBC 2021. The construction documents necessary for shipping container construction construction need the following information:
The intermodal shipping containers used for construction should designate the below-mentioned information as needed by ISO 6346, verified by an approved agency.
A complete report is made on the verification procedure and the findings. The details of intermodal shipping containers must include the following information:
All the above details of the intermodal shipping container are examined and approved by the construction official. After which, the markings and the existing data plate on the container are removed before they are taken for repurposing.
The above code requirements ensure the structural integrity of container homes for the protection of the inhabitants and the surrounding occupants. In addition, there are zoning laws, where zoning refers to the segmenting of land into sections that specify the type of construction that can be performed.
Zoning laws vary for each state, and hence before planning for container home construction, it is necessary to check whether container homes are permitted in the proposed site. Zoning restrictions are categorized based on the type of construction and the location of the proposed site.
states do have container home ordinances. The majority of the U.S. However, in addition to the IBC code rules, different countries or cities have different rules and regulations for constructing shipping containers. So along with IBC codes, the local and state construction codes must be checked to obtain container construction permits.
International construction Code (IBC) 2021 edition gives the standard rules and regulations for intermodal shipping container construction construction. The details are provided in Chapter 31, Section 3115 of IBC 2021. In addition, based on the type and location of the project, the International Residential Code (IRC) and the state and local rules and regulations are applicable.
Manufacturer’s name or identification number 2. As per IBC 2021, the details of intermodal shipping containers required to get a container building permit are: 1. Date of manufacture 3. Safety approval number 4. Identification number 5. Maximum operating gross mass or weight in kg or lbs 6. Allowable stacking load for 1.8G in kg or lbs 7. Traverse racking test force in Newtons 8. Valid maintenance examination date