Annex II – Structural Safety Requirements and Tests
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.355(92) – Amendments to the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972 – (Adopted on 21 June 2013)The Annex below is consolidated into CSC - International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 - Annex – Amendments to the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC), 1972The Annex below is consolidated into CSC - International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 - Annex II – Structural Safety Requirements and Tests

Annex II – Structural Safety Requirements and Tests

  The Annex below is consolidated into CSC - International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972

  11 After the heading of annex II, the following text is inserted:

  • General Provisions

  • The following definitions shall be applied for the purpose of this annex:

  • The letter g means the standard acceleration of gravity; g equals 9.8 m/s2.

  • The word load, when used to describe a physical quantity to which units may be ascribed, signifies mass.

  • Maximum operating gross mass or Rating or R means the maximum allowable sum of the mass of the container and its cargo. The letter R is expressed in units of mass. Where the annexes are based on gravitational forces derived from this value, that force, which is an inertial force, is indicated as Rg.

  • Maximum permissible payload or P means the difference between maximum operating gross mass or rating and tare. The letter P is expressed in units of mass. Where the annexes are based on the gravitational forces derived from this value, that force, which is an inertial force, is indicated as Pg.

  • Tare means the mass of the empty container, including permanently affixed ancillary equipment.

  12 The first sentence of the Introduction to annex II (Structural safety requirements and tests) is amended as follows:

  • In setting the requirements of this annex, it is implicit that, in all phases of the operation of containers, the forces as a result of motion, location, stacking and gravitational effect of the loaded container and external forces will not exceed the design strength of the container.

  13 In section 1 (Lifting), subsection 1(A) (Lifting from corner fittings) the text concerning test loadings and applied forces is amended as follows:

  • TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES

  • Internal load:

  • A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 2R. In the case of a tank container, when the test load of the internal load plus the tare is less than 2R, a supplementary load, distributed over the length of the tank, is to be added to the container.

  • Externally applied forces:

  • Such as to lift the sum of a mass of 2R in the manner prescribed (under the heading TEST PROCEDURES).

  14 In section 1 (Lifting), subsection 1(B) (Lifting by any other additional methods) is replaced with the following:

TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
Internal load: (i) Lifting from fork-lift pockets:
A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.25R. The container shall be placed on bars which are in the same horizontal plane, one bar being centred within each fork-lift pocket which is used for lifting the loaded container. The bars shall be of the same width as the forks intended to be used in the handling, and shall project into the fork pocket 75% of the length of the fork pocket.
Externally applied forces:
Such as to lift the combined weight of 1.25R in the manner prescribed (under the heading TEST PROCEDURES).
Internal load: (ii) Lifting from grappler-arm positions:
A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.25R. In the case of a tank container, when the test load of the internal load plus the tare is less than 1.25R, a supplementary load, distributed over the length of the tank, is to be added to the container. The container shall be placed on pads in the same horizontal plane, one under each grappler-arm position. These pads shall be of the same sizes as the lifting area of the grappler arms intended to be used.
Externally applied forces:  
Such as to lift the sum of a mass of 1.25R in the manner prescribed (under the heading TEST PROCEDURES).  
  (iii) Other methods:
  Where containers are designed to be lifted in the loaded condition by any method not mentioned in (A) or (B)(i) and (ii) they shall also be tested with the internal load and externally applied forces representative of the acceleration conditions appropriate to that method.

  15 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of section 2 (STACKING) are amended as follows:

  • 1 For conditions of international transport where the maximum vertical acceleration varies significantly from 1.8 g and when the container is reliably and effectively limited to such conditions of transport, the stacking load may be varied by the appropriate ratio of acceleration.

  • 2 On successful completion of this test, the container may be rated for the allowable superimposed static stacking load, which should be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate against the heading ALLOWABLE STACKING LOAD FOR 1.8 g (kg and lbs).

  16 In section 2 (STACKING) the text concerning test loadings and applied forces is amended as follows:

  • TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES

  • Internal load:

  • A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.8R. Tank containers may be tested in the tare condition.

  • Externally applied forces:

  • Such as to subject each of the four top corner fittings to a vertical downward force equal to 0.25 x 1.8 x the gravitational force of the allowable superimposed static stacking load.

  17 Section 3 (CONCENTRATED LOADS) is amended as follows:

TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
(a) On roof
Internal load: The externally applied forces shall be applied vertically downwards to the outer surface of the weakest area of the roof of the container.
None.
Externally applied forces:  
A concentrated gravitational force of 300 kg (660 lbs) uniformly distributed over an area of 600 mm x 300 mm (24 in x 12 in).  
(b) On floor
Internal load: The test should be made with the container resting on four level supports under its four bottom corners in such a manner that the base structure of the container is free to deflect.
Two concentrated loads each of 2,730 kg (6,000 lbs) and each added to the container floor within a contact area of 142 cm2 (22 sq in).
Externally applied forces: A testing device loaded to a mass of 5,460 kg (12,000 lbs), that is, 2,730 kg (6,000 lbs) on each of two surfaces, having, when loaded, a total contact area of 284 cm2 (44 sq in), that is, 142 cm2 (22 sq in) on each surface, the surface width being 180 mm (7 in) spaced 760 mm (30 in) apart, centre to centre, should be manoeuvred over the entire floor area of the container.
None.

  18 The heading and subheading of the text concerning test loadings and applied forces in section 4 (TRANSVERSE RACKING) are replaced with the following respectively:

  • TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES' and ''Internal load:''

  19 In section 5 (LONGITUDINAL RESTRAINT (STATIC TEST)), the text concerning test loadings and applied forces is amended as follows:

  • TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES

  • 'Internal load:'

  • A uniformly distributed load, such that the sum of the mass of a container and test load is equal to the maximum operating gross mass or rating R. In the case of a tank container, when the mass of the internal load plus the tare is less than the maximum gross mass or rating, R, a supplementary load is to be added to the container.

  • Externally applied forces:

  • Such as to subject each side of the container to longitudinal compressive and tensile forces of magnitude Rg, that is, a combined force of 2Rg on the base of the container as a whole.

  20 The first paragraph of section 6 (END-WALLS) is amended as follows:

  • The end-walls should be capable of withstanding a force of not less than 0.4 times the force equal to gravitational force by maximum permissible payload. If, however, the end-walls are designed to withstand a force of less or greater than 0.4 times the gravitational force by maximum permissible payload, such a strength factor shall be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate in accordance with annex I, regulation 1.

  21 In section 6 (END-WALLS), the text concerning test loadings and applied forces is amended as follows:

  • TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES

  • Internal load:

  • Such as to subject the inside of an end-wall to a uniformly distributed force of 0.4Pg or such other force for which the container may be designed.

  • Externally applied forces:

  • None.

  22 The first paragraph of section 7 (SIDE-WALLS) is amended as follows:

  • The side-walls should be capable of withstanding a force of not less than 0.6 times the force equal to the gravitational force by maximum permissible payload. If, however, the side-walls are designed to withstand a force of less or greater than 0.6 times the gravitational force by maximum permissible payload, such a strength factor shall be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate in accordance with annex I, regulation 1.

  23 In section 7 (SIDE-WALLS), the text concerning test loadings and applied forces is amended as follows:

  • TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES

  • Internal load:

  • Such as to subject the inside of a side-wall to a uniformly distributed force of 0.6Pg or such other force for which the container may be designed.

  • Externally applied forces: None.

  24 The existing section 8 (ONE DOOR OFF OPERATION), is replaced with the following:

  • 8 ONE DOOR OFF OPERATION

  • 8.1 Containers with one door removed have a significant reduction in their ability to withstand racking forces and, potentially, a reduction in stacking strength. The removal of a door on a container in operation is considered a modification of the container. Containers must be approved for one door off operation. Such approval shall be based on test results as set forth below.

  • 8.2 On successful completion of the stacking test the container may be rated for the allowable superimposed stacking load, which shall be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate immediately below line 5: ALLOWABLE STACKING LOAD FOR 1.8 g (kg and lbs) ONE DOOR OFF.

  • 8.3 On successful completion of the racking test the transverse racking test force shall be indicated on the Safety Approval Plate immediately below line 6: TRANSVERSE RACKING TEST FORCE ONE DOOR OFF (newtons).

  • TEST LOAD AND APPLIED FORCES TEST PROCEDURES
    Stacking  
    Internal load:  
    A uniformly distributed load such that the sum of the mass of container and test load is equal to 1.8R. The test procedures shall be as set forth under 2 STACKING
    Externally applied forces:  
    Such as to subject each of the four top corner fittings to a vertical downward force equal to 0.25 x 1.8 x the gravitational force of the allowable superimposed static stacking load.  
    Transverse racking  
    Internal load:  
    None. The test procedures shall be as set forth under 4 TRANSVERSE RACKING
    Externally applied forces:  
    Such as to rack the end structures of the container sideways. The forces shall be equal to those for which the container was designed.  

Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.