Shipping containers are growing in popularity as a versatile storage option. One of the top-selling points of shipping containers is their security. In this blog, we will examine the top six shipping container security features to look for when considering a modern shipping container for your needs.
What is a shipping container?
Shipping containers are reusable corrugated steel boxes, also known as sea cans. They are designed to store and ship goods via road, rail, or sea and meet specific ISO standards. These standards set specific sizes and construction regulations to create a compatible transportation system.
Containers are made of strong, highly weather-resistant steel to withstand the rigours of travel and resist damage during transit. The corrugated corten steel’s grooves increase strength so they can be stacked without worry of collapse.
The door’s rubber gaskets and seals keep them waterproof and airtight to protect against moisture and fluctuating temperatures. A heavy-duty coating also protects against rust and corrosion, so the containers last for decades with proper care.
The Different Uses of Shipping Containers
Once strictly used for storage during shipping, the durability and size of shipping containers create opportunities for diverse uses. They are now repurposed around the world as an alternative for the following:
- Modular homes and offices
- Pop-up shops, kiosks, and event structures
- Commercial storage
- Residential outbuildings (from sheds to home offices, and workshops to guest houses)
- Locker rooms
- Construction site offices
- Swimming pools
Shipping Container Security Features #1: Lock Systems
Shipping containers are typically equipped with easy-to-open and -close vertical and/or horizontal door mechanisms. The steel rods are lifted and turned to release the basic locking mechanisms to access the interior. However, this basic lift-and-lock design is compatible with highly secure door locking systems that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Crossbar locks: The crossbar lock is a steel clamp that fits over and around the rods to hold them firmly in place. They are often used in conjunction with a lock and key mechanism.
- Electronic locks: These locks require a code to release the locking mechanism, helping to limit who can access the container.
- Claw locks: Claw locks can be operated remotely via a phone app.
- Padlocks: The old-school padlock has a “shackle” that loops over the door system and is held in place usually via a hole on either side of each door. They require a combination or code to release the lock. The most advanced versions, such as hidden shackle padlocks, conceal the shackle or loop so it can’t be cut with tools like heavy-duty bolt cutters. There are also Sobo brand locks with heavy-duty shackles that help make them jimmy-proof.
- Lockboxes: The lockbox holds keys or other access items, such as the security code. They require a code to open the lockbox, allowing an authorized person to unlock the door.
Shipping Container Security Features #2: Durability
The high durability of steel shipping containers improves theft prevention. Short of taking a welding tool to the walls or doors, the corrugated steel construction is tamper-proof.
Basic doors or windows at typical storage warehouses often require additional protection, such as bars on the windows. However, the robust steel walls and doors of a shipping container are inherently vault-like.
The steel is also weather- and rust-resistant. As a result, the container maintains its integrity, reducing the risk of vulnerable points that make it easier to tamper with the doors or secure rod mechanism.
Shipping Container Security Features #3: Tamper-Proof Rods
As mentioned in feature #1, the door design of shipping containers is made for easy access by authorized users, while making it difficult to enter when locked. First, the thick steel rods make it very difficult to use a tool such as bolt cutters to disable them when they are locked.
Next, the vertical steel rods have multiple touchpoints that are hidden or hard to access, adding to their tamper-proof design. The cams and lugs are designed as part of a secure door frame, so they also can’t be easily pried open like a basic or secure steel door design.
The multiple locking points also resist force by creating an equal distribution across the points, so it is almost impossible to breach the secure seal without disabling every locking point.
Shipping Container Security Features #4: Tamper-Evident Seals
The seals on the door cover the seams and locking mechanisms, making it easy to see if would-be thieves have tampered with the container. This type of “tamper-evident” seal allows security guards to spot potential issues and react quickly.
It also tips off customs that the items listed on the container’s shipping documents might no longer be valid. Additionally, the barrier seals are designed to be difficult to remove without loud, large, and invasive tools, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized entry.
Shipping Container Security Features #5: Inaccessible Hinges
Shipping container hinges are made of steel and are robust, making it difficult to cut or damage them to gain access. The pins are concealed so they can’t be removed in order to lift the door from the hinges. They are also often welded onto the door frame to prevent tampering or prying with tools such as a crowbar.
Shipping Container Security Features #6: Layering
Shipping containers are designed to meet specific requirements such as customs at border crossings and ports of entry. Therefore, the security features can be customized to meet your needs or to remain compliant with regulations. Some examples of layering might include:
- Using multiple types of seals.
- Rotating coded security features with different combinations and codes to reduce the risk of a security breach.
- Using appropriate warning labels regarding certain types of hazardous materials.
- Using hidden shackle padlocks as an added layer against bolt cutters.
Contact the Professionals at Secure Container Solutions
Shipping containers offer several security features, offering a versatile form of storage. As a result, you can choose the level of security you require based on what is stored or the purpose of the container.
Additionally, storage containers provide a versatile alternative suited to any project. For more information about our shipping container security features or about the types of sea cans we carry, call Secure Container Solutions at 647-560-2745 or contact us here.
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