Insulated Containers

Insulation and refrigeration are not the same purchase. Nothing on these units runs: no compressor, nothing to plug in, no thermostat. The panelling only slows the rate at which the inside drifts towards the weather outside, which is the entire requirement for a surprising share of jobs. Cargo that left cold with a short leg to travel, a compound with no supply, goods wanting a held figure rather than a chilled one: an envelope beats a plant set on all three. It also explains the conversion market: a 50 mm insulated skin is what you would otherwise build inside a plain steel box to use it as an office or workroom.

Two shells to choose between

• Non-operational reefer (NOR) shells. Refrigerated containers taken out of service: the cooling plant is dead and stays dead, but the heavy-duty reefer insulation and the stainless steel floor are untouched. Thermally the stronger of the two — and used equipment, not new stock.
• Purpose-built insulated containers. A standard shell lined out to 50 mm with Bondor panelling over a timber floor, for goods needing a steady temperature rather than refrigeration. Where the unit will be worked in, a wall-mounted air conditioner can be added.

Both come as a 20 ft or a 40 ft.

Specifications

• 20ft external: 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.90 m (19 ft 11 in × 8 ft × 9 ft 6 in) · internal: 5.43 × 2.28 × 2.26 m
• 40ft external: 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m (40 ft × 8 ft × 9 ft 6 in) · internal: 11.49 × 2.27 × 2.20 m
• Door opening: 2.34 m wide × 2.58 m high (7 ft 8 in × 8 ft 6 in)
• Inside capacity: 28.3 m³ (999 cu ft) for 20ft · 57.8 m³ (2,041 cu ft) for 40ft
• Tare: 3,290 kg (20ft) · 4,360 kg (40ft)
• Max gross: 22,111 kg (20ft) · 26,120 kg (40ft)

What is fitted

• Nothing to power or commission; the envelope holds a steady temperature by itself
• On NOR shells: original reefer insulation throughout, stainless steel floor left in place
• On purpose-built units: 50 mm (2 in) Bondor panels laid over a timber deck
• Solid steel structural components; full 270-degree door opening on standard double doors
• Wall-mounted air conditioning where the unit is worked in
• Ventilation, lighting, electrical fit-out and a security lockbox can be arranged before delivery

Delivery and cover

Delivery is free across the UK mainland and to Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, and the price shown is the total payable because no VAT is added at checkout. Nothing here needs commissioning: no supply to arrange, no engineer visit before use. Access scales with size — a 20ft takes a rigid tilt-bed, a 40ft an articulated vehicle with a straight approach and room to reverse. Both want level, load-bearing ground and the 2.90 metre height checked against gateways and overhead cables. Where a crane or HIAB offload is needed, that is agreed in writing before delivery. Cover follows the type: purpose-built new insulated containers carry 12 months against structural defects and water ingress, while decommissioned NOR shells are used equipment and carry three months as wind and watertight units. Separately from either, you have 14 days to change your mind under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, and a distinct 30-day right to reject the goods if they are faulty under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

What else is on the shelf

See the full insulated container range. Buyers content with a decommissioned reefer body usually settle on a non-working 40ft reefer container, or the 40ft HC non-working reefer where wind and watertight grading is wanted. For much less volume, the 4m x 2m insulated COSHH flat pack unit covers the same ground. Sizing and ground preparation are both handled in our container buyers guide.