Offshore containers should be inspected regularly every year. Regular inspections should be performed on the inside and outside of the container when it is empty. TLS has prepared tips for you to check including:
- Inspection of signs and nameplates.
- Weld inspection of main structural members to confirm that there are no visible defects.
- Inspection of lifting lugs and lashing points for deformation, mechanical damage, or other dangerous defects.
- Inspect all structures for corrosion, deformation, mechanical damage, or other dangerous defects.
- Check the condition of the container floor, including the bottom drainage facilities and drainage holes.
- Check for corrosion and mechanical damage inside the fork pockets (where applicable).
- Check the door, frame, seal, hinge, door lock, etc., and confirm the opening and closing of the door.
To facilitate the loading and unloading of the cargo, the bottom of TLS offshore containers is usually designed with fork pockets, which are required as follows:
1. If provided, the fork pockets shall be arranged in the bottom structure with the top closed to penetrate the bottom and prevent the offshore container from overturning from the fork tine.
2. The net opening size of the fork pocket of the offshore container shall not be less than 200mm×90mm.
3. Considering the length, height, width, and rated weight of the offshore container, the position of the fork pocket should ensure the stability of the container when it is transported by the forklift. The fork pockets should be as far apart as possible, generally not less than 900 mm from the center, but not more than 2,050 mm.
4. The bottom plate of the fork pockets can be closed completely, but openings are recommended for maintenance and to reduce the risk of loose items being left in the fork pockets, thereby preventing items from falling during the lifting process. Where openings are provided, the size and position of the opening should be set to avoid jamming or being damaged by the tines The opening at the bottom of the fork pockets are not allowed at the bottom side rails, and the distance between the opening and the bottom side rails should not be less than 200mm.
5. The weakening of vertical shear strength of bottom side rails by fork pockets opening should be taken into account when calculating the bottom side rails strength. In general, a reinforcement plate should be attached to the top of the bottom side rail. The reinforcement plate should be in the same plane as the bottom side rails web. The reinforcement plate should be extended by at least 100mm at both ends. At this point, the weld between the reinforcement plate and the bottom side rail should be completely melted through.
1. If provided, the fork pockets shall be arranged in the bottom structure with the top closed to penetrate the bottom and prevent the offshore container from overturning from the fork tine.
2. The net opening size of the fork pocket of the offshore container shall not be less than 200mm×90mm.
3. Considering the length, height, width, and rated weight of the offshore container, the position of the fork pocket should ensure the stability of the container when it is transported by the forklift. The fork pockets should be as far apart as possible, generally not less than 900 mm from the center, but not more than 2,050 mm.
4. The bottom plate of the fork pockets can be closed completely, but openings are recommended for maintenance and to reduce the risk of loose items being left in the fork pockets, thereby preventing items from falling during the lifting process. Where openings are provided, the size and position of the opening should be set to avoid jamming or being damaged by the tines The opening at the bottom of the fork pockets are not allowed at the bottom side rails, and the distance between the opening and the bottom side rails should not be less than 200mm.
5. The weakening of vertical shear strength of bottom side rails by fork pockets opening should be taken into account when calculating the bottom side rails strength. In general, a reinforcement plate should be attached to the top of the bottom side rail. The reinforcement plate should be in the same plane as the bottom side rails web. The reinforcement plate should be extended by at least 100mm at both ends. At this point, the weld between the reinforcement plate and the bottom side rail should be completely melted through.
Visual inspection and non-destructive testing are commonly used to inspect container welds. Magnetic particle inspection is one of the types of non-destructive testing. Magnetic particle inspection is a method of observing defects using magnetic powders as a display medium. After the ferromagnetic material workpiece is magnetized, as the existence of discontinuity, the magnetic field lines on the surface and near the surface of the workpiece are locally distorted to generate a leakage magnetic field, which adsorbs the magnetic powder applied on the surface of the workpiece and forms a visible magnetic field under suitable illumination，and the location, size, shape, and severity of the discontinuities are shown.
TLS normally uses black magnetic paste for flaw detection. This method has high sensitivity to detect small defects on the surface of the workpiece. The steps are:
Any requirements about specialized shipping containers, please feel free to contact us.
TLS normally uses black magnetic paste for flaw detection. This method has high sensitivity to detect small defects on the surface of the workpiece. The steps are:
- Pour and spray the magnetic levitation over the workpiece to be examined, and the flow rate of the levitation should be slow to prevent the magnetic imprints from being washed away.
- Use a fixed device. It is easy to operate and has high efficiency.
- Demagnetization. Reduce residual magnetism in the inspected workpiece so that it can be processed or used normally.
- After magnetic particle inspection, residual magnetic levitation on the surface is removed and dried.Our QAs are all certified through strict examinations.
Any requirements about specialized shipping containers, please feel free to contact us.
