How Container Houses Drain Water

The drainage of container houses is mainly achieved through organized drainage, including external drainage (eaves trough drainage, gutter drainage) and internal drainage. The specific design needs to be combined with the building type, climatic conditions, and structural characteristics.

I. External Drainage System

External drainage directs rainwater to the outdoors through roof water-diverting devices, avoiding the need for indoor piping arrangements. It is suitable for most container house scenarios.

1. Eaves Trough Drainage

   • Principle: Eaves troughs are installed at the edge of the roof. Rainwater flows along the roof slope into the eaves troughs and is then discharged to the ground or rainwater outlets through vertical downspouts.
   • Applicable Scenarios: Single-story or low-rise container houses, buildings with small roof areas and simple structures.
   • Advantages: Simple structure, low construction cost, no need to penetrate the roof, reducing the risk of leakage.
   • Design Considerations: The eaves troughs should maintain a certain slope (usually ≥1%). The spacing of the downspouts should be calculated based on rainfall to ensure drainage capacity. For example, each downspout can serve approximately 200 square meters of roof area.

2. Gutter Drainage

   • Principle: Gutters (longitudinal drainage channels) are installed in the middle of the roof. Rainwater flows along the gutters to both ends and is discharged through rainwater heads and downspouts.
   • Applicable Scenarios: Multi-span or large-area container houses, such as industrial plants and warehouses.
   • Advantages: High drainage efficiency, preventing rainwater from directly washing against the walls and reducing structural loads.
   • Design Considerations: The clear width of the gutters should not be less than 200mm, and the distance from the highest point of the longitudinal slope to the upper opening should be ≥120mm to ensure smooth drainage.

II. Internal Drainage System

Internal drainage directs rainwater to the underground drainage system through indoor piping, suitable for high-rise buildings, cold regions, or buildings with high facade requirements.

1. Principle: Rainwater heads are installed on the roof, and pipes penetrate the roof or walls to enter the interior. The rainwater is then discharged outdoors through vertical or horizontal pipes inside the building.
2. Applicable Scenarios: Container houses with multiple stories, complex roof structures (such as saw-tooth or shell-shaped), or scenarios in cold regions where pipes need to be protected from freezing.
3. Advantages: Avoiding the exposure of outdoor pipes, reducing the impact of climate, and suitable for buildings with strict facade requirements.
4. Design Considerations: Proper waterproofing of the pipes is required, and regular inspection and maintenance should be carried out to prevent blockages or leakage.

III. Special Drainage Techniques

1. Siphon Drainage System

   • Principle: It utilizes the height difference between the roof and the ground to create a siphon effect, keeping the pipes in a full-flow state for rapid drainage.
   • Advantages: High drainage efficiency, requiring less headwater depth than traditional gravity drainage, suitable for large-span roofs.
   • Applicable Scenarios: Container houses with high drainage speed requirements, such as sports venues and exhibition centers.

2. "A"-shaped Canopy

   • Principle: A sloped canopy is added on top of the container to guide rainwater to both sides for discharge, reducing water accumulation on the roof.
   • Applicable Scenarios: Temporary or simple container houses, such as construction site dormitories and mobile offices.
   • Design Considerations: The slope of the canopy should be ≥5% to ensure rapid water flow and prevent leakage.