Helpful Information Concerning ISO Containers from Tandemloc, Inc.

Page 1 of 4

Helpful Information Concerning ISO Containers

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

Nominal Lengths of Containers: Freight Container Designation Nominal Lengths

M Ft.
• Ref: ISO 668-1995 (E) 1AAA 12(1) 40(1)
• Measurements apply when measured at 68DegF/20DegC.
1AA
• Actual length of a 10', 20' and 30' ISO container is less than the nominal length.
1A
1AX
1BBB 9 30
1BB
1B
1BX
1CC 6 20
1C
1CX
1D 3 10
1DX
(1).In certain countries there are legal limitations
to the overall length of vehicle and load.
Helpful Information Concerning ISO Containers from Tandemloc, Inc. Page 2 of 4

External Dimensions, Ratings and Tolerances:

Freight Length, L Width, W Height, H Rating, R

Container Tol Tol Tol Tol Tol Tol (Gross Mass)
Designation
MM FT IN MM FT IN MM FT IN KG LB
IN IN
1AAA 2896 0 9 0
2) -5 6(2) -3/16
1AA 12192 0 40 0 2438 0 8 0 2591 0 8 0 30480 67200
-10 -3/8 -5 -3/16 2) -5 6(2) -3/16 (2) (2)
1A 2438 0 8 0
-5 -3/16
1AX < <8
2438
1BBB 2896 0 9 0
2) -5 6(2) -3/16
1BB 9125 0 29 0 2438 0 8 0 2591 0 8 0 25400 56000
-10 11 1/4 -3/16 -5 -3/16 2) -5 6(2) -3/16 (2) (2)
1B 2438 0 8 0
-5 -3/16
1BX < <8
2438
1CC 2591 0 8 0
2) -5 6(2) -3/16
1C 6058 0 19 0 2438 0 8 0 2438 0 8 0 24000 52900
-6 10 1/2 -1/4 -5 -3/16 -5 -3/16 (2) (2)

1CX < <8

2438
1D < 0 8 0
2991 0 9 0 2438 0 8 0 2438 -5 -3/16 10160 22400
1DX -5 9 3/4 -3/16 -5 -3/16 < <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.
Helpful Information Concerning ISO Containers from Tandemloc, Inc. Page 3 of 4

Corner Fitting Locations:

Freight S (ref.) P (ref.) K1 Max. K2 Max
Container MM FT MM FT IN MM IN MM IN
Designation IN
1AAA
1AA 11985 39 2259 7 4 31/32 19 3/4 10 3/8
1A 3 7/8
1AX
1BBB
1BB 8918 29 2259 7 4 31/32 16 5/8 10 3/8
1B 3 1/8
1BX
1CC
1C 5853 19 2259 7 4 31/32 13 1/2 10 3/8
1CX 2
7/16
1D
1DX 2787 9 2259 7 4 31/32 10 3/8 10 3/8
1
23/32
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.

See the Corner Fitting Link on our website: http://www.tandemloc.com/0_securing/S_243000C.asp

Helpful Information Concerning ISO Containers from Tandemloc, Inc. Page 4 of 4

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

Container Lifting Link: http://www.tandemloc.com/toc_cont_lifting.asp

• 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:
o to avoid excessive tilting;
o to avoid overstressing either the container or the handling equipment;
o to avoid unacceptable vehicle axle loading;
o to avoid lack of vehicle stability;
o to avoid unacceptable load concentrations.
• Eccentricity of the centre 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:
o 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.
o 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