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Helpful Information Concerning ISO Containers

(This information was developed from ISO Standards 668, 1161, 1496 and 3874)

Nominal Lengths of Containers: Tandemloc FYI -

• Ref: ISO 668-1995 (E)

• Measurements apply when measured at 68 Deg F / 20 Deg C.
• Actual length of a 10’, 20’ and 30' ISO container is less than the nominal length

Freight Container Designation Nominal Lengths

M Ft.
1AAA 12(1) 40(1)
Helpful Information Concerning ISO Containers
1AA
1A
Download / view printer friendly data sheet(s)
1AX
Login / register to activate:
1BBB 9 30 TANDEMLOC_ISO_CONTAINER_INFO.pdf
1BB Type: Adobe Acrobat Document
1B Size: 118 KB
1BX
1CC 6 20 Need Credit? Let us know.
1C (Note: Credit Applications will only be processed with
1CX an accompanying purchase order.)
1D 3 10
1DX
(1) In certain countries there are legal limitations to the overall
length of vehicle and load.

External Dimensions, Ratings and Tolerances:

Freight Container Rating, R
Length, L Width, W Height, H
Designation (Gross Mass)
Tol Tol Tol Tol Tol Tol
KG LB
MM FT / IN IN MM FT IN MM FT / IN IN
2896 0 9 0
1AAA
2) -5 6(2) -3/16
2591 0 8 0
1AA
0 0 0 0 2) -5 6(2) -3/16 30480 67200
12192 40 2438 8
-10 -3/8 -5 -3/16 0 0 (2) (2)
1A 2438 8
-5 -3/16
<
1AX <8
2438
2896 0 9 0
1BBB
2) -5 6(2) -3/16
2591 0 8 0
1BB
0 29 0 0 0 2) -5 6(2) -3/16 25400 56000
9125 2438 8
-10 11 1/4 -3/16 -5 -3/16 0 0 (2) (2)
1B 2438 8
-5 -3/16
<
1BX <8
2438
2591 0 8 0
1CC
2) -5 6(2) -3/16
0 19 0 0 0 0 0 24000 52900
1C 6058 2438 8 2438 8
-6 10 1/2 -1/4 -5 -3/16 -5 -3/16 (2) (2)
<
1CX <8
2438
< 0 0
1D 8
0 9 0 0 0 2438 -5 -3/16
2991 2438 8 10160 22400
-5 9 3/4 -3/16 -5 -3/16 <
1DX <8
2438
2. In certain countries there are legal limitations to the overall height of vehicle and load (for example for rail/road service).
• Ref ISO 668-1995 (E).
• A reduced height is allowable for tank, open top, bulk, platform and platform based containers.

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 Corner Fitting Locations: Link to Corner Fittings page and information...

K1
S (ref.) P (ref.) K2 Max
Freight Container Max.
Designation FT /
MM MM FT / IN MM IN MM IN
IN
1AAA
7
1AA 39
11985 2259 4 19 3/4 10 3/8
1A 3 7/8
31/32
1AX
1BBB
7
1BB 29
8918 2259 4 16 5/8 10 3/8
1B 3 1/8
31/32
1BX
1CC 19 7
1C 5853 2 2259 4 13 1/2 10 3/8
1CX 7/16 31/32

1D 9 7
1DX 2787 1 2259 4 10 3/8 10 3/8
23/32 31/32
NOTE: Attention of manufacturers is drawn to the vital
importance of accurately maintaining the reference
dimensions of S and P. The tolerances to be applied to S and
P are governed by the tolerances shown for the overall length
and width in this International Standard and in ISO 1161.
1. K1 is the difference between D1and D2 or between D3 and
D4;
therefore K1=D1-D2 or K1=D3-D4.

2. K2 is the difference between D5 and D6; therefore K2=D5-

D6.
• Ref: ISO 668-1995 (E)
• Strengths of Corner Fittings to be such that they can pass the
operating and test requirements specified in ISO 1496/1.

Container Handling and Securing Considerations (Ref ISO 3874-1997 (E)):

Summary of Specified Lifting Methods
Container Type Container Type E at Container type E at
Description
A, B, C and D 40 ft. Position 45 ft. Position

Top Lift Spreader

Top Lift Sling

Bottom Lift Sling

Side Lift: Method 1

Side Lift: Method 2

Not applicable to Not applicable to

Side Lift: Method 3
Type E (45 ft.) containers Type E (45 ft.) containers

End Lift: Method 1

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 Not applicable to Not applicable to
Type E (45 ft.) containers Type E (45 ft.) containers

Not applicable to Not applicable to

End Lift: Method 2
Type E (45 ft.) containers Type E (45 ft.) containers

Not applicable to Not applicable to

Fork Lift
Type E (45 ft.) containers Type E (45 ft.) containers

See information about Container Lifting -

• For the purpose of container handling and securing, a “loaded container” is a container other than in the tare (empty) condition.
• Unless otherwise confirmed, containers should be treated as loaded.
• The term loaded means the maximum gross weight rating of the container.
• Wind and other environmental conditions must be considered when handling or securing containers.
• The cargo shall be distributed throughout the container to ensure that the centre of gravity is kept as central and as low as possible:
- to avoid excessive tilting;
- to avoid overstressing either the container or the handling equipment;
- to avoid unacceptable vehicle axle loading;
- to avoid lack of vehicle stability;
- to avoid unacceptable load concentrations.
Eccentricity of the center of gravity for the loaded container varies with the distribution of load within the container; designers of containers and
handling equipment should take this fact into account. As an example, when 60% of the load by mass is distributed in 50% of the container length
measured from one end, the eccentricity corresponds to 5%.
• Care shall be taken to ensure that the equipment used is suitable for the load and is safely attached to the container and that the container is free
to be handled.
• In the case of a single-point lift, special attention should be paid to the risk of the container tilting owing to eccentricity of the centre of gravity.
• Care shall be taken when lifting a container whose centre of gravity is mobile or eccentric, e.g. a tank container, a bulk container, a container with a
liquid bulk bag, a container with hanging cargo or a thermal container with a refrigerating unit (integral or clip-on).
• Containers may be handled by methods other than those specified in the following section but only after careful evaluation of the equipment by
means of which the container is to be handled and of the methods of operation envisaged, with respect to international container standards.

Summary of Allowable and Not Allowable Lifting Methods:

•
Lifting containers from the top corner fitting with forces applied other than vertically, is not allowed according to ISO 3874: 1997 (E) EXCEPT:

• Empty containers (except empty platform based containers and platform based with ends, which shall not be lifted other than with forces
applied vertically from the top corners).

• When lifting empty containers, the sling angle should not be less than 60 degrees from the horizontal plane.
• Ten foot containers using a sling angle of not less than 60 degrees to the horizontal plane.
• Containers may be lifted from the side apertures of all four bottom corner fittings by means of a sling. The attachment fittings should not
exert forces more than 1.5 inches away from the outer face of the Corner Fitting.
• The minimum lifting angle for loaded containers lifted from the bottom corners is as follows:
Container Size Designation Lifting Angle, a, min.
1AAA; 1AA; 1A; 1AX 30 Deg
1BBB; 1BB; 1B; 1BX 37 Deg
1CC; 1C; 1CX 45 Deg
1D; 1DX 60 Deg

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