Drawbacks of Mobile House Containers
The drawbacks of mobile house containers are mainly reflected in fire safety hazards, structural performance limitations, usage and maintenance issues, and inadequate living experiences.
Prominent fire safety hazards: Container houses often combine steel with flammable materials (such as polystyrene insulation layers). Electrical circuit failures, open flames, or high-temperature environments can easily trigger fires. For example, in 2020, a container-modified house in Langfang City caught fire due to an electrical switch circuit failure that ignited weeds, leading to a fire. In 2018, a fire in a container activity house in Tianjin Binhai New Area resulted in two deaths. The strength of steel significantly decreases at 600℃, potentially leading to deformation and collapse. Additionally, insufficient fire protection treatment in some products further exacerbates the risks.
Structural performance limitations: Although container houses adopt steel structural designs, prolonged exposure to humid environments can lead to rusting, affecting durability. Without professional anti-corrosion treatment, steel corrosion can reduce structural stability. Furthermore, types such as foldable containers connect steel plates with polystyrene using adhesives. Poor material quality or construction process defects can lead to decreased waterproofing performance, causing leakage issues.
High usage and maintenance requirements: Container houses require regular inspections for steel structure deformation, fastener loosening, and waterproof pad aging. For example, stepping on the roof can cause fastener leaks, while unqualified or aging waterproof materials can lead to leakage. Some manufacturers cut corners to reduce costs, using inferior steel or reducing anti-corrosion treatment, increasing safety risks.
Inadequate living experiences: Container houses have compact spaces, and their sound insulation and thermal insulation performance rely on multi-layer composite structures. If the design or materials do not meet standards, comfort may be affected. For example, containers without thermal insulation materials can easily accumulate heat in high-temperature environments and may also have insufficient insulation in winter. Additionally, although modular combinations offer flexibility, layout limitations make it difficult to meet complex functional needs.
