Container parts
door gasket
A door gasket is the rubber seal around the cargo door opening of a container. It presses against the closed doors to keep out rain, snow and dust. Parts lists describe it as a seal gasket. A worn gasket is a common cause of leaks.
Why it matters
The door gasket is a small part that decides whether the inside stays dry. Sun, cold, wear and opening and closing can crack or flatten it. Operators inspect gaskets between rentals, and they replace them when they are torn, loose or hanging. A common mistake is to stop at the roof and walls when checking for leaks. Many water problems start at the gasket. Customers can test by closing the doors in a dark space and looking for light, or by checking for damp spots after rain. A new gasket is a low-cost repair compared with damaged goods.
Read: Shipping container sizes and dimensions for rental fleets
Definition source: containerhandbuch.de
Related terms
cargo door
A cargo door is one of the two hinged steel doors at the end of a standard shipping container. The doors close on rubber gaskets and lock with vertical locking bars. They are the main way in and out of a container.
door locking bar
A door locking bar is a vertical steel rod on a container door. It turns in cam keepers at the top and bottom of the frame to lock the door tight and compress the gasket. Each door normally has one or two bars.
wind and water tight (WWT)
Wind and water tight is a trade term for a used container that should have no holes or defects that let wind or water in. It is not certified by an outside body. The seller decides whether a unit meets it, so definitions vary by company.
light leak test
A light leak test is a simple check for holes in a container. A person steps inside, closes the doors and looks for light coming through the walls, roof, floor or door seals. Light usually means water can get in too.
container repair
Container repair is work that fixes damage to a container, such as holes, dents, floors and doors. The IICL repair manual says the purpose of any repair is to restore structural integrity so the container can work safely in intermodal transport. Methods include straightening, welding, patching, inserting and replacing parts.
container inspection
A container inspection is a check of a container's outside, inside, doors, floor and roof for damage, leaks and wear. Buyers do it before purchase. Operators do it when units go out and come back. It can be a quick look or a formal review to a standard.
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