Site and permits
gravel pad
A gravel pad is a prepared base of crushed stone or gravel placed on the ground for a container to sit on. Conexwest calls a compacted gravel pad one of the most practical base options for many storage containers because it improves drainage and is generally easier to install than concrete.
Why it matters
A gravel pad keeps the container off wet soil and helps water drain away from the steel and the floor. It is often a good fit for a unit that will stay in place for months. A common mistake is to dump gravel without grading and compacting it. Loose stone shifts, and the container can tilt. The right depth and stone size depend on the soil and the load, so customers should ask the provider or a local contractor. Short rentals on firm, level ground may not need a pad at all. Some sites need more, such as piers or professional soil review.
Read: How to prepare your site for a storage container delivery
Definition source: conexwest.com
Related terms
compacted base
A compacted base is a layer of soil or crushed stone that has been pressed down so it is firm and stable. It sits under a container to carry the weight and resist settling. Conexwest notes that some sites need compaction, stone, piers or professional soil review before placement.
level ground
Level ground is a flat, firm surface without noticeable slope or dips. XCaliber Container advises that a site for a container should have level, firm ground free of pooling water and with few tree roots. Level ground helps placement and prevents tilting or sinking.
site preparation
Site preparation is the work done on a spot before a container arrives. It includes clearing the access path, checking overhead room, making the ground firm and fairly level, and sometimes adding a gravel or stone base. The goal is a safe drop and a unit that sits flat.
delivery access
Delivery access is the space and route a truck needs to reach the drop spot. It includes the road, driveway, gates, turning room and overhead clearance. XCaliber Container gives a guide of about 10 feet of width on each side of the container and 13 feet of overhead clearance.
portable storage container
A portable storage container is a container made for rent or sale as movable storage. NPSA describes portable storage containers as ISO shipping containers retired from international shipping and offered on the domestic market. In practice the term also covers other portable units.
skid
A skid is a steel runner or base fitted to a container so it can be towed, dragged or slid across a yard. Quick-attach skids bolt to the box. Oilfield skids are a heavier, full version. The word also has other uses in trade.
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