Countries with tropical climates may find it challenging to store records in sustainable repositories. With the help of shipping containers, such issues may be straightened out.
Long-term record storage tends to be a costly process, keeping in mind the stakes involved. However, with the advent of 20ft shipping containers, one can now store records in ways that are not financially draining and promise a considerable degree of sustainability. Here’s how.
Understanding the Storage Capacity of Shipping Containers
A standard 20ft container boasts of internal capacity of 29.50 cubic metres. It is vital to keep in mind that the use of space will depend on the efficacy of the arrangement of the contents.
Fundamentally, there must be a balance between maximum storage capacity, accessibility and proper ventilation. The right way is to shelve the boxes instead of stacking on atop the other. This way, you can end up comfortably storing a large number of boxes in cost-effective ways.
Monitoring Pests and the Environmental Conditions
Acquiring shipping containers is easy. However, care must be taken to see whether pests and mould infest the containers. Apart from that, monitoring environmental conditions are the key. In the tropical climates, it is vital to keep moulding at bay. In the case of 20ft shipping containers, experts recommend the use of portable dehumidifiers to check humidity levels.
Preparing a Shipping Container for Records Storage
Ensure that the surface where the container rests is flat and shielded from potential flooding. The site should be cleansed of vegetation, pests and overgrowth. The container should be selected after a thorough evaluation. Install robust fencing to secure the location of storage. If feasible, you may use a roof structure to support the shipping container and keep it safe from the elements.
Setting Up Proper Fire Prevention Measures
More often than not, fire tends to be the dominating threat to shipping containers carrying cargo or storing records. Therefore, it is all the more important that the site of containers is stripped of vegetation and stray leaves. If the adequate water supply is available, a hose point and a hose should be provided, apart from installing hand pressurised water type fire extinguishers.
While shipping containers offer innovative solutions for records retention, much depends on how effectively the criteria mentioned above have been adhered to. If not, containers are only half as applicable.