Section 3114 — INTERMODAL SHIPPING CONTAINERS

[OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 4 & 5] Not permitted by OSHPD.

The provisions of Section 3114and other applicable sections of this code shall apply to intermodal shipping containers that are repurposed for use as buildings or structures, or as a part of buildings or structures.

Exceptions: [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] Not permitted by DSA.

1. Intermodal shipping containers previously approved as existing relocatable buildings complying with Chapter 14 of the California Existing Building Code.

2. Stationary storage battery arrays located in intermodal shipping containers complying with Chapter 12 of the California Fire Code.

3. Intermodal shipping containers that are listed as equipment complying with the standard for equipment, such as air chillers, engine generators, modular data centers, and other similar equipment.

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4. Intermodal shipping containers housing or supporting experimental equipment are exempt from the requirements of Section 3114, provided that they comply with all of the following: 4.1. Such units shall be single stand-alone units supported at grade level and used only for occupancies as specified under Risk Category I in Table 1604.5. 4.2. Such units are located a minimum of 8 feet (2438 mm) from adjacent structures, and are not connected to a fuel gas system or fuel gas utility. 4.3. In hurricane-prone regions and flood hazard areas, such units are designed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 16. 5. [HCD] Shipping containers constructed or converted off-site that meet the definition of Factory-built Housing in Health and Safety Code Section 19971 or Commercial Modular(s) as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 18001.8 shall be approved by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The construction documents shall contain information to verify the dimensions and establish the physical properties of the steel components and wood floor components of the intermodal shipping container, in addition to the information required by Sections 107 and 1603.

Intermodal shipping containers shall bear an existing data plate containing the following information as required by ISO 6346 and verified by an approved agency. A report of the verification process and findings shall be provided to the building owner.

1. Manufacturer’s name or identification number.

2. Date manufactured.

3. Safety approval number.

4. Identification number.

5. Maximum operating gross mass or weight (kg) (lbs).

6. Allowable stacking load for 1.8G (kg) (lbs).

7. Transverse racking test force (Newtons).

8. Valid maintenance examination date.

Where approved by the building official, the markings and existing data plate are permitted to be removed from the intermodal shipping containers before they are repurposed for use as buildings or structures or as a part of buildings or structures.

Wood structural floors of intermodal shipping containers shall be protected from decay and termites in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 2304.12.1.1.

The space between the bottom of the floor joists and the earth under any intermodal shipping container, except spaces occupied by basements and cellars, shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with Section 1202.4.

Intermodal shipping container roof assemblies shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 15.

Exception: Single-unit, stand-alone intermodal shipping containers not attached to, or stacked vertically over, other intermodal shipping containers, buildings or structures. [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] Not permitted by DSA.

Joints and voids that create concealed spaces between connected or stacked intermodal shipping containers at fire-resistance-rated walls, floor or floor/ceiling assemblies and roofs or roof/ceiling assemblies shall be protected by an approved fire-resistant joint system in accordance with Section 715.

Intermodal shipping containers that conform to ISO 1496-1 and are repurposed for use as buildings or structures, or as a part of buildings or structures, shall be designed in accordance with Chapter 16 and this section.

3114.8.1 Foundations and supports. Intermodal shipping containers repurposed for use as a permanent building or structure shall be supported on foundations or other supporting structures designed and constructed in accordance with Chapters 16 through 23.

3114.8.1.1 Anchorage. Intermodal shipping containers shall be anchored to foundations or other supporting structures as necessary to provide a continuous load path for all applicable design and environmental loads in accordance with Chapter 16.

3114.8.1.2 Stacking. Intermodal shipping containers used to support stacked units shall comply with Section 3114.8.4.

3114.8.2 Welds. The strength of new welds and connections shall be of not less than the strength provided by the original connections. All new welds and connections shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Chapters 16, 17 and 22.

3114.8.3 Structural design. The structural design for the intermodal shipping containers repurposed for use as a building or structure, or as part of a building or structure, shall comply with Section 3114.8.4 or 3114.8.5.

3114.8.4 Detailed design procedure. A structural analysis meeting the requirements of this section shall be provided to the building official to demonstrate the structural adequacy of the intermodal shipping containers.

Exception: Structures using an intermodal shipping container designed in accordance with Section 3114 8.5.

3114.8.4.1 Material properties. Structural material properties for existing intermodal shipping container steel components shall be established by Section 2202.

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3114.8.4.2 Seismic design parameters. The seismic force-resisting system shall be designed and detailed in accordance with ASCE 7 and one of the following:

1. Where all or portions of the profiled steel panel elements are considered to be the seismic force-resisting system, design and detailing shall be in accordance with the AISI S100 and ASCE 7, Table 12.2-1 requirements for steel systems not specifically detailed for seismic resistance, excluding cantilever column systems. [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] Not permitted by DSA.
2. Where all or portions of the profiled steel panel elements are not considered to be part of the seismic force-resisting system, an independent seismic force-resisting system shall be selected and detailed in accordance with ASCE 7, Table 12.2-1.

eel systems not specifically detailed for seismic resistance, excluding cantilever column systems. [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] Not permitted by DSA. 2. Where all or portions of the profiled steel panel elements are not considered to be part of the seismic force-resisting system, an independent seismic force-resisting system shall be selected and detailed in accordance with ASCE 7, Table 12.2-1.

3. Where all or portions of the profiled steel panel elements are retained and integrated into a seismic force-resisting system other than as permitted by Item 1, seismic design parameters shall be developed from testing and analysis in accordance with Section 104.2.3 and ASCE 7, Section 12.2.1.1 or 12.2.1.2.

3114.8.4.3 Allowable shear value. The allowable shear values for the profiled steel panel side walls and end walls shall be determined in accordance with the design approach selected in Section 3114.8.4.2. Where penetrations are made in the side walls or end walls designated as part of the lateral force-resisting system, the penetrations shall be substantiated by rational analysis.

3114.8.5 Simplified structural design procedure of single-unit containers. Single-unit intermodal shipping containers conforming to the limitations of Section 3114.8.5.1 shall be permitted to be designed in accordance with Sections 3114.8.5.2 and 3114.8.5.3. [DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC] Not permitted by DSA.

3114.8.5.1 Limitations. The use of Section 3114.8.5 is subject to the following limitations:

1. The intermodal shipping container shall be a single-unit, stand-alone unit supported on a foundation and shall not be in contact with or supporting any other shipping container or other structure.

2. The intermodal shipping container top and bottom rails, corner castings, and columns or any portion thereof shall not be notched, cut, or removed in any manner.

3. The intermodal shipping container shall be erected in a level and horizontal position with the floor located at the bottom.

4. The intermodal shipping container shall be located in Seismic Design Category A, B, C or D.

3114.8.5.2 Structural design assumptions. Where permitted by Section 3114.8.5.1, single-unit, stand-alone intermodal shipping containers shall be designed using the following assumptions for the profile steel panel lateral-force resisting system:

1. The appropriate detailing requirements contained in Chapters 16 through 23.
2. Response modification coefficient, R = 2.
3. Overstrength factor, Ω 0 = 2.5.
4. Deflection amplification factor, C d = 2.
5. Limits on structural height, h n = 9.5 feet (2900 mm).

shipping containers shall be designed using the following assumptions for the profile steel panel lateral-force resisting system:

1. The appropriate detailing requirements contained in Chapters 16 through 23.
2. Response modification coefficient, R = 2.
3. Overstrength factor, Ω 0 = 2.5.
4. Deflection amplification factor, C d = 2.
5. Limits on structural height, h n = 9.5 feet (2900 mm).

3114.8.5.3 Allowable shear. The allowable shear for the profiled steel panel side walls (longitudinal) and end walls (transverse) for wind design and seismic design using the coefficients of Section 3114.8.5.2 shall be in accordance with Table 3114.8.5.3, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

1. The total linear length of all openings in any individual side wall or end wall shall be limited to not more than 50 percent of the length of that side wall or end wall, as shown in Figure 3114.8.5.3(1).

2. Any full-height wall length, or portion thereof, less than 4 feet (305 mm) shall not be considered as a portion of the lateral force-resisting system, as shown in Figure 3114.8.5.3(2).

3. All side walls or end walls used as part of the lateral force-resisting system shall have an existing or new boundary element on all sides to form a continuous load path, or paths, with adequate strength and stiffness to transfer all forces from the point of application to the final point of resistance, as shown in Figure 3114.8.5.3(3).

4. Where openings are made in intermodal shipping container walls, floors or roofs, for doors, windows and other openings: 4.1. The openings shall be framed with steel elements that are designed in accordance with Chapters 16 and 22. 4.2. The cross section and material grade of any new steel element shall be equal to or greater than the steel element removed.

5. A maximum of one penetration not greater than 6 inches (152 mm) in diameter for conduits, pipes, tubes or vents, or not greater than 16 square inches (10 323 mm2) for electrical boxes, is permitted for each individual 8-foot (2438 mm) length of lateral force-resisting wall. Penetrations located in walls that are not part of the lateral force-resisting system shall not be limited in size or quantity. Existing intermodal shipping container vents shall not be considered a penetration, as shown in Figure 3114.8.5.3(4).

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6. End wall doors designated as part of the lateral force-resisting system shall be intermittently welded closed around the full perimeter of the door panels.

TABLE 3114.8.5.3—ALLOWABLE SHEAR VALUES FOR PROFILED
STEEL PANEL SIDE WALLS AND END WALLS FOR WIND OR SEISMIC LOADING

FIGURE 3114.8.5.3(1)—BRACING UNIT DISTRIBUTION—MAXIMUM LINEAR LENGTH

max 1/2 L

opening
max 1/2 L|existing
top railing
existing hole in
corner casting
existing fork
lift pocket
existing
bottom railing
existing corner
column
opening
max 1/2 L|existing
top railing
existing hole in
corner casting
existing fork
lift pocket
existing
bottom railing
existing corner
column
opening
max 1/2 L||

max 1/2 L

L = length of wall

L

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FIGURE 3114.8.5.3(2)—BRACING UNIT DISTRIBUTION—MINIMUM LINEAR LENGTH

L = length of wall

L

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

FIGURE 3114.8.5.3(3)—BRACING UNIT DISTRIBUTION—BOUNDARY ELEMENTS

boundary elements

FIGURE 3114.8.5.3(4)—BRACING UNIT DISTRIBUTION—PENETRATION LIMITATIONS

L = length of wall

L

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3114.9.1 General.

1. Intermodal shipping containers shall not have been manufactured earlier than 24 months from the date of DSA approval of the site-specific or stockpile building design drawings. 2. Intermodal shipping containers shall be undamaged and have no previous repairs. The acceptable tolerances shall not exceed those given in the ANSI/AISC 303—16: Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges. 3. Intermodal shipping container type shall be standard dry cargo container, used for the transportation of dry goods only. Containers shall not have been used for transporting hazardous materials. Containers shall not have been painted with paint containing lead. 4. All structural elements and details shall be justified through engineering calculations in accordance with the California Administrative Code (Title 24, Part 1, CCR) Section 4-317(d).

3114.9.2 Structural integrity verification. Each intermodal shipping container shall have selection, structural integrity verification, general condition assessment, inspection and testing as enforced by the enforcement agency.

3114.9.3 Seismic design requirements. 1. The container steel frame contribution to the lateral force resistance shall be neglected even in cases where the container siding is removed. 2. Deformation compatibility of structural elements that are not included in the seismic force-resisting system shall be consid- ered in the analysis and when evaluating stiffness irregularities. 3. The total length of siding (less openings) along a line in a lower story shall not be less than 80 percent of the total length of siding (less openings) along the same line in the story immediately above.

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