Is Container House Prone to Fire?

Container houses have a certain risk of fire, and whether they are prone to fire depends on factors such as materials, usage methods, and fire prevention measures. Details are as follows:

I. Situations with fire hazards

1. Illegal building materials: To save costs, some temporary houses on construction sites and illegal buildings of enterprises often use flammable materials such as polystyrene and polyurethane foam for the core materials. These materials have poor fire resistance and safety, and can be ignited by sparks from electrical welding or cigarette butts.
2. Fast burning speed: Once flammable and combustible sandwich materials catch fire, they burn extremely fast. They melt and deform at 80℃ and drip, and the drippings can cause more severe burning. Moreover, the combustion products are highly toxic.
3. Difficult fire extinguishment: After a fire breaks out, the flames spread rapidly, and container houses are prone to collapse in a short time. After collapse, they are wrapped in iron sheets, making it difficult for water cannons to shoot water inside, greatly increasing the difficulty of fire rescue.
4. Difficult escape for trapped people: When polystyrene and polyurethane burn, they are accompanied by thick black smoke. Toxic smoke will accumulate inside the room, making it difficult for trapped people to survive and prone to casualties.

II. Measures to reduce fire risks

1. Use qualified materials: It is best to use rock wool boards and fireproof cotton as fillers to make container houses. Only when they reach a Class A fire resistance limit can they meet the fire safety requirements of construction sites.
2. Standardize the use of heat and fire sources: During use, heat and fire sources should not be placed close to container houses, and a certain distance should be maintained for open-flame operations.
3. Standardize circuit settings: Wires and cables should be protected with sleeves. Socket and switch boxes should be made of metal galvanized boxes and installed in an exposed manner. Simple fire-fighting equipment should be equipped inside and outside.

III. Actual fire cases On February 24, 2025, a fire broke out in a container shack in Linping District, Hangzhou; On March 2, 2020, fires occurred in two container-modified houses in the industrial park of Anci District, Langfang; On January 11, 2018, a fire broke out in a container mobile house in Binhai New Area, Tianjin, resulting in casualties.