Dome Shelter FAQ

How to build a Shipping Container Dome Shelter. Common questions ranging from site preparation, to tools and equipment, warranties, delivery and installation.

• How do I know which Dome Shelter is right for my needs?
  That’s a good question. We normally begin with asking “how much space do you have, what are you going to use it for”. Then we can work with you and understand how much space there is available to site the containers and shelter. Given the different widths of the roof trusses and whether the dome is to be mounted on the outer or inner edge of the top of the containers, there are options you need to know.
• Do I need special shipping containers?
  First of all, every container dome shelter we offer is compatible with 20 foot and 40 foot long shipping containers. In metric, that is any 6m long or 12m long shipping container is compatible with our shelter structures.
• What sizes of container dome shelters are available?
  Given there are 2 major sizes of shipping container used for dome shelters, 20ft/6m and 40ft/12m, our sizes refer to the width of the dome itself. When using 2 x 20foot shipping container as the base for the shelter, choose from three widths, 12 foot, 26 foot and 33 foot. This is the total width of the span of the dome at the bottom edge. The metric sizes are 6m, 8m and 10m widths which can be connected to 20 foot/6m long shipping containers. These width are based on fitting the dome structure to the inner top edge of both shipping containers, although, they can also be fitted to the outer edges of the container.
• Do the steel dome structures and truss base plates need to be welded securely to each container?
  Not necessarily. Welding base plates to shipping container shelters is recommended for larger structures 40 foot wide and more. Typically our 4040ft, 6040ft and 7040ft container shelters are welded to the top edge of each container, as it is a more durable and permanent fixture, adding another layer of strength to the shelter base.
• Is there a limit to how many containers I can stack on top and still attach one of the dome shelters to it?
  Work, Health and Safety regulations permit stacking shipping containers one of top of each other, using special twist lock mechanisms to lock the bottom container with the top. These specifically casted twist lock connectors lock into the shipping container corners together by way of the corner casting block. Each corner casting block has 3 holes, a top hole (where our Quicklock connector fits into), a side hole called the Stadium and a front hole called a Shield. The Stadium and Shield holes are not used in the installation of one of our dome shelters. However, they are useful for attaching additional light poles, timber battens, solar panels etc. Remember, a shipping container has 8 corner castings, 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom. Use these anchoring points to enhance the use of the dome shelter.
• Does the Dome Shelter kit come with everything required to build it for the price quoted, or is there anything else needed like special tools?
  Each Quality Domes Direct Dome Shelter Kit (attaching to 2 shipping containers), has every component and part needed to anchor the shelter to the tops of the containers, construct the dome and fit the roof cover. Every Dome Shelter has everything you need, such as base plates, trusses, roof purlins, tension tubes, angle seats, ropes, bolts and connectors. As far as special tools go, for our Quicklock series all that’s required is basic hand tools, including a drill (battery preferred), sockets and spanners for 8mm – 19mm bolts and fasteners, 10mm hex keys, a torque wrench (optional), hammer, ladders etc.
• How do you anchor the steel structure to the container?
  It depends on the size of shipping container and the dome span as to which anchoring method is used. Our container dome shelter fixings consist of a ‘Quicklock’ system that attaches into the corner casting of the shipping containers. There is also a welded bracket design, where base plate brackets are mounted and secured to 2 top corners of the container. The fixing brackets can be a combination of welded/bolted, or all welded, and bolted only.
• I’ve never built a Container Dome Shelter or other large shelter before, realistically, do I need special equipment?
  As you would imagine, a container dome shelter is a big piece of kit made from hot-dipped galvanised steel tube – it weighs a bit. Given the apex (from the floor to the top of the shelter) starts at around 4.9m, getting the trusses up into the air and fixed to 2 General Purpose, 2.6m high shipping containers, requires some lifting equipment. Depending on what you have available, we recommend a scissor lift, cherry picker, mini crane, spider crane, telescopic crawler etc. Don’t risk any accidents when installing the roof structure, use the correct equipment to get the job done safely.
• How long does it take to build a container dome shelter?
  Construction times can vary depending on the size of the shelter. Under normal circumstances, a 2 to 3-man crew can build one of our smaller Dome Shelters in as little as 2 days.  Planning is an important stage to a successful build. Taking the time to prep the site and locate the containers the exact distance apart is the key to a swift and easy build. Make sure there space around the dome is adequate enough to allow the work to continue uninterrupted, and plant and equipment in the surrounding area does not pose a risk to others in the vacinity.
• How heavy is the dome and all the accessories?
  A standard 20x20ft dome kit is 225kg, increasing in weight as the dome shelter size increases. A 70x40ft dome shelter kit weighs approximately 2000kg. Smaller dome kits can be loaded onto a Ute or trailer. Larger dome kits will require a forklift or crane truck at the delivery address.
• What’s the widest dome available for a 20ft/40ft container?
  The widest dome to fit a 20ft dome is 40ft/12m, and for a 40ft container the widest is 80ft/24.38m. These spans can be achieved when the dome trusses are fitted to the inner side of each container or post. In the case where the structural design calls for additional strength and support, the roof truss base plates will be fixed to the outside edge of the container, with additional steel support posts included for each truss.
• What materials are used in the construction of the shelter?
  The dome cover/canopy is a 3-ply heavy-duty commercial/industrial PVC. The thickness and weight of the cover is either commercial 650 GSM or industrial grade 900 GSM. The frame is a hot double-dipped galvanised steel tube for extra strength.
  The materials used meet the Australian Standards. See our engineering page or reference the Australian Standards here.
• What height are the dome shelters in the middle?
  Depending on the size of the containers and span of the shelter, the apex will vary from 4.9m to 9m – that’s 12 to 29ft floor to ceiling.
• Is the dome shelter structure and roof covered by a warranty?
  Yes, there is a 10 year Warranty on the steel structure, and 10 Year Warranty on the PVC cover
• What is the wind rating where I live?
  An engineering certificate can be provided for your location if requested – at an additional cost.
• Do all container domes come with an End and or Front Wall?
  Some do, some don’t. See the complete range of dome shelters and find the perfect shelter for your needs.
• If I want an End or Front Wall with my shelter, are they wind rated?
  Every Wall supplied has a built-in safety feature with four wind sockets to allow airflow, and in case of a storm, it won’t create a wind tunnel. 
• Do the dome shelters have gutter flaps on top of the containers?
  Yes – every container dome shelter has excess (around 300mm) PVC on the cover to allow water to run off the roof and away from the inside of the container.
• Can container-mounted dome shelters be completely sealed with a front and end wall?
  Yes, most container mounted dome shelters can form a weatherproof environment when both ends are fitted with a wall. It’s also possible to customise the shelter by adding 2 front walls with doors to create easy access for vehicles and equipment, then close the doors afterwards.
• Is a local Council permit required to build a dome shelter?
  Generally speaking, if the shelter is to be situation in a commercially zoned location, there is no requirement to get a permit. However, we strongly advise you to seek advice and confirmation from your local Council. 
• Can the dome shelter span to the outside edge of shipping containers?
  Yes, the dome shelter can be fitted to the outer edges of the containers, creating a weatherproof area on top of each container of around 14.8m2, for a 6-foot container. However, mounting the shelter on the outside edge reduces the working space diameter on the ground by almost 5 metres. Depending on the size of the shipping containers, mounting on the outer edge of the container reduces the total working area on the ground by 28.8m2 for a 20-foot container and 57.5m2 for a 40ft container mounted dome.
• Can installation be arranged?
  Depending on your location, installation can be arranged with certified installers.
• Is delivery included in the price?
  Delivery is not included in the advertised price. We can however arrange affordable, Australia-wide delivery through our extensive freight partner network. 
• Can the dome shelter be delivered to a residential address?
  Yes, however, please note that freight companies may charge extra for a residential delivery. Additional freight costs can include a ‘heavyweight residential’, ‘2-men delivery fee’ and ‘over weight’ surcharge. We do our best to arrange the most affordable shipping solution. We recommend it is best for delivery to be to a commercially zoned address where a forklift or suitable crane is required to unload the shipping crate(s).
• If the dome shelter kit is delivered to a depot close to where I live, can it be loaded straight onto our trailer or Ute?
  Dome shelters supplied by Quality Domes Direct are well-packaged and sealed in a steel crate, direct from our manufacturing facility. At our warehousing locations, there are forklifts available.
• What container dome sizes are available?
  There are many different-sized dome shelters. We also have  double-truss dome designs for the larger shelters with a 60-80 foot span. There is also a range of smaller shelters for cars, caravans, livestock, and the like.
• Do you have dome shelter available now?
  Yes, stock of all kinds of shelters is readily available and ready to ship Australia-wide. However, this can be dependent on the size and number of dome shelters required.
• If I purchase a shelter today, how long would it take to get it delivered?
  Quality Domes Direct have depots in Western Australia, Victoria, and the Gold Coast, Queensland. If you purchase on the East Coast, shipping can take around 5-7 days. On the west coast allow 10 to 12 business days. For Southeast Queensland customers, pickup can be arranged from our Gold Coast location at Molendinar.
• What is the typical lifespan of a dome shelter?
  The structure itself has a long lifespan, because of the hot-dip galavanised tube design. The lifespan of a typical PVC cover can be 10+ years. One of the proven ways to extend the lifespan of a PVC shelter cover is to periodically tighten the cover ratchets every three to six months to ensure the tarp is always tightened to it’s optimum level.
• Do I need containers to set the dome shelter up?
  Not always. Some of the shelters require shipping containers; although we have dome shelters mounted on steel posts anchored into the ground, mounted on retaining walls, concrete blocks and fixed directly to a concrete slab. Our products are so flexible that it’s possible to anchor only one side of the shelter to a container and leave the other side mounted on any support type you can imagine.
• I am getting two shipping containers delivered and need to know exactly where to put them. Do you have site preparation and assembly plans I can see first?
  Yes, we have all the necessary site preparation and shelter footprint information you need to set out the shipping containers at the precise distance apart. 
• I have a small farm and want to store machinery, trucks and trailers etc. Do you do front walls with doors as well as solid back walls
  Yes – we can provide fully shelters to meet many different requirements.
• Can I request a no-obligation free quote?
  Sure, we can arrange a quote for you. Follow this link to our quote page or call us at our Gold Coast Location on 0483 949 849