Dangerous Goods Container Perth
A dangerous goods container is not just a shipping container with a warning sticker on it, and treating it that way is exactly how sites end up failing a compliance check. If you are storing hazardous materials in a mining, construction, or industrial zone in WA, the shipping container itself needs to be built or modified to Australian Standard AS 1940-2017, with bunding and ventilation designed in from the start.
ABC Containers builds and modifies 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft dangerous goods shipping containers at our Bibra Lake yard in Perth, Western Australia, covering classes 3, 6, and 8 with bunded floors, ventilation, and yellow warning paint. Shipping containers are available as new builds or as conversions from general purpose, high cube, or pallet wide stock, with further modification such as insulation, shelving, and side doors available on top.
Get a straight answer on cost before you commit: get a quote for the build and shipping, then get a second quote if your material class, volume to store, or timeline shifts closer to delivery. Every shipping container we build to AS 1940-2017 is offered to buy or to hire, so contact our team at ABC Containers early if container hire suits the job better than a purchase, and we can talk through safety requirements for your location before you decide.
Shipping across Western Australia is standard, and the same shipping container spec applies whether it lands in Perth or anywhere else in Australia, giving multi-site clients one contact point and confidence the shipping container holds up whether they operate only in WA or across Australia more broadly. We also hire out shipping containers for short-term storage, whether you need one shipping container or several shipping containers on a bigger job, and once you store dangerous goods, safety rules under WA workplace law apply to that storage just as they do to owned shipping containers, so a shipping container only ever used to store general goods should not go straight into service without proper conversion.
Get your site ready before the shipping container ships, with storage volume, access, and bunding locked in ahead of delivery, then reach out or contact us again once the pad is ready, and we will confirm the quote, delivery slot, and shipping safety sign-off together.
Dangerous Goods Containers Gallery
The following gallery is to give you an idea of what we have on hand in terms of Dangerous Goods Containers for Sale or Hire. For more options and to check current stock on hand, please contact us or use the online enquiry form below.
Dangerous Goods Storage Container Specifications
| Shipping Container | Standard Mods | Approx. Build Time |
Optional Extras | Floor Space (m2) |
External Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | W | H | |||||
 10′ |
Ventilation Insulation Mesh Bund Cover Custom Painting |
2 days | Special Access Doors Windows Lighting & Power Heavy Duty Shelving Explosive Proofing |
1,500 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.59 |
 20′ |
3 days | 2,800 | 6.06 | 2.44 | 2.89 | ||
 20′ Bolster |
3 days | 2,800 | 5.9 | 2.23 | 22.5cm | ||
 40′ |
5 days | 5,000 | 12.19 | 2.44 | 2.89 | ||
Dangerous Goods Container Perth: Safer, Site-Ready Hazardous Materials Storage
Choose a purpose-built or professionally modified unit with the bunding, ventilation, access, signage and documentation matched to the dangerous goods class, quantity and conditions on your site.
What Is A Dangerous Goods Container
A dangerous goods container is a purpose-built or purpose-modified steel container designed to safely store hazardous materials, with features like a bunded floor to contain spills, ventilation to manage fumes, and clear signage so anyone on site knows exactly what is inside.
Not every steel box used to hold hazardous materials qualifies as a dangerous goods unit by default. A general purpose container can be converted, or a unit can be purpose-built from the start, but either way it only earns the classification once bunding, correctly positioned venting and clear signage are properly fitted.
That distinction matters when comparing storage options, whether you’re weighing up hire against an outright purchase. A hired unit should carry the same standard as one built new, and any unit missing proper venting is not a dangerous goods container no matter what it’s labelled, regardless of whether it started life as ordinary stock or was built specifically for the job.
If you’re unsure whether a container meets that standard for your dangerous goods storage needs, contact our team at ABC Containers with the classes involved, and we’ll confirm what’s required for safe storage in Australia. Contact us again once you’ve decided between hire and purchase, and we’ll confirm shipping details with your on-site contact before anything leaves the yard.
| Comparison point | Standard shipping container | Dangerous goods container |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | General freight or dry storage | Class-specific hazardous material storage |
| Spill containment | No integrated bund by default | Bunded floor with load-bearing mesh or grating |
| Ventilation | Basic container vents only | Ventilation selected for the material and risk assessment |
| Signage and identification | Freight markings | Relevant hazard signage, placards and unit information |
| Site suitability | Not automatically suitable for dangerous goods | Configured to the class, quantity, SDS and site conditions |
AS 1940-2017 Compliance Explained
AS 1940-2017 is the Australian Standard covering the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids and other hazardous materials. A container that meets this standard has the bunding, ventilation, and safety features required to store these materials legally and safely, which is a very different thing from a standard container with a modification tacked on.
This distinction matters more than it might seem. A general purpose container with a coat of yellow paint and a warning sticker is not a compliant dangerous goods container, no matter how it looks. Genuine AS 1940-2017 compliance means the bunding, ventilation and structural features are built in properly, not added as an afterthought, and that is exactly what a compliance audit will be checking for.
Compliant containers carry proof of their build on a fixed plate, not paperwork filed away somewhere else, so anyone checking storage arrangements on site can confirm AS 1940-2017 compliance without chasing records. That plate should stay intact from delivery through to return if the containers are on hire, since a missing or swapped plate on any of these containers leaves no way to confirm the build once they’re already in use.
Get this checked at the point of delivery, not after an audit flags it. If a quote for hire or purchase doesn’t state how compliance is verified on the container itself, get that in writing before signing off, since storage of hazardous materials without proof puts the audit trail at risk as much as the physical build does.
1
Identify the goods
Provide the product name, UN number, class, subsidiary risk and packing group.
2
Check compatibility
Separate incompatible chemicals and avoid assuming different classes can share one unit.
3
Match the build
Confirm bund capacity, ventilation, floor material, access, drainage and electrical requirements.
4
Verify the site
Review location, ignition sources, emergency access, drainage, signs, placards and documentation.
Dangerous Goods Classes We Store: Class 3, 6, and 8
ABC Containers builds and modifies dangerous goods units to cover classes 3, 6, and 8, giving WA sites a compliant option for a range of hazardous materials without needing to source multiple specialised suppliers.
Having one supplier who covers all three classes simplifies procurement considerably for sites handling more than one type of hazardous material. Rather than sourcing different containers from different suppliers, a single quote can cover the full range of dangerous goods storage a site needs.
Not every class needs the same build, even though all three sit under the one supplier. Class 3 liquids call for different bunding capacity than Class 8 corrosives, so matching containers to the actual class matters more than just having access to all three.
That flexibility also helps as work scales up. You can hire containers for one class now and add another once a second material type comes on site, rather than committing to a fixed storage setup from day one. Since the containers all come from the same build standard, adding to what’s already on site doesn’t mean mixing specifications or suppliers partway through a project.
Worth raising early: confirm which classes you’re storing before locking in numbers, so the mix of containers on hire or for sale actually matches what you handle.
Flammable Liquids
Common examples include petrol, solvents, thinners and certain fuels. Storage planning commonly focuses on spill containment, ignition-source control, ventilation, signage and AS 1940 requirements.
Toxic Substances
The build must reflect the specific toxicity, volatility, packaging and SDS. Ventilation, segregation, access control and emergency procedures may differ substantially from a Class 3 setup.
Corrosive Substances
Material compatibility is critical. Bunds, shelving, fasteners, floor finishes and drainage components need to suit the corrosive product rather than relying on a generic steel fit-out.
Bunding, Ventilation, and Safety Features
Every compliant dangerous goods container needs a few things in place:
- A bunded floor, designed to contain any spill or leak.
- Ventilation, to manage fumes safely.
- Yellow warning paint and clear signage, so anyone on site knows what they are dealing with.
Bunded Mesh Floor
Provides secondary spill containment while supporting drums, IBCs or packaged goods above the captured liquid.
High and Low Vents
Ventilation is selected around vapour behaviour, the goods being stored and the site’s risk assessment.
Hazard Signage
Clear signs and placards help workers, contractors and emergency responders identify the hazard quickly.
Emergency Egress
Personnel access and internal release options can be specified where staff need to enter the unit.
Controlled Drainage
Lockable valves or managed pump-out arrangements can support safe bund inspection and clean-up procedures.
Optional Modifications
Heavy-duty shelving, side doors, insulation, lighting, air conditioning and specialised electrical fit-outs are available where appropriate.
Where containers sit on site affects all three features just as much as how they’re built. The bunded floor needs level ground that won’t collect runoff from higher up the yard, ventilation needs open air on at least one side rather than a wall backed up against it, and signage needs to face wherever people actually walk, not whichever side happens to face a fence.
Loading changes things too. Pack containers awkwardly, and vents can end up hidden behind stacked drums, or the bunded lip becomes a trip hazard reached from the wrong side. None of that shows up when containers first arrive, only once they’re actually in use.
Getting the placement right from day one means these features do their job from the first load, not after something’s already gone wrong.
Sizes Available: 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft
Dangerous goods units are available across 10, 20, and 40ft, so the size can match what is actually being stored, whether that is a small quantity of chemicals on a compact site or bulk hazardous materials on a larger project.
Size also decides how much internal floor space stays usable once bunding is accounted for. A 10ft container loses a bigger share of its space to the bunded lip than a 40ft container does, since the bund’s depth doesn’t shrink much just because the container is smaller. That trade-off is easy to miss when comparing containers on spec sheets rather than by actual usable capacity.
Mixing sizes works better than committing to just one. Running 20ft containers alongside 40ft containers keeps smaller, more reactive materials separate from bulk stock without over-ordering, and adjusting the mix later is straightforward since all three sizes of containers share the same build standard.
Worth checking before ordering: usable space, not outer dimensions, is what actually determines whether 10ft, 20ft, or 40ft containers meet a project’s real storage need.
Relative Container Length
Use this visual as a footprint comparison, then confirm usable internal space and actual bund capacity on the quoted unit.
ABC Guide Capacity Examples
- 10ft: example bund capacity up to approximately 1,500L.
- 20ft: example bund capacity up to approximately 2,800L.
- 40ft: example bund capacity up to approximately 5,000L.
Capacities vary by model, floor design, access configuration and custom build. Confirm the exact usable floor area and bund capacity in writing before ordering.
| Size | Typical external length | Often suited to | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft | Approx. 2.99m | Compact sites, lower volumes, separated specialty stock | Door clearance, internal floor area and bund displacement |
| 20ft | Approx. 6.06m | General industrial use, drums, IBCs and shelving layouts | Aisle width, access frequency, bund capacity and handling method |
| 40ft | Approx. 12.19m | High-volume storage and larger project inventories | Site access, turning room, level pad, segregation and emergency access |
New Build Versus Modified Dangerous Goods Containers
A new build dangerous goods container is constructed to AS 1940-2017 from the ground up, while a modified unit starts life as a general purpose, high cube or pallet wide container and is converted to meet the standard. Both are viable options, and the right choice usually comes down to budget and how quickly the unit is needed.
A modified conversion can be a genuinely sound option, provided the base container is in good condition and the conversion work is done properly, with bunding, ventilation and signage all meeting the standard rather than just approximating it. New build units remove any question about the base container’s history, which some sites prefer for the added peace of mind.
A modified shipping container keeps its original identification number stamped into the frame, with the compliance plate added once conversion is signed off, so the paper trail shows two stages rather than one. A new build gets a single plate issued from the start, with no earlier history to reconcile against the compliance record.
That difference shows up most at resale. Buyers comparing containers later often ask for the conversion certificate as well as the compliance plate on a modified unit, since the plate alone doesn’t confirm what the base container was before conversion. New build containers only need the one document, which can make them simpler to sell on down the track even though they usually cost more upfront.
Either way, keep the paperwork with the containers themselves rather than filed separately, since a compliant unit without its certificate is hard to verify at a glance.
| Decision point | New build | Modified conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Starting condition | Built new to the project specification | Existing suitable container converted to the specification |
| Upfront budget | Usually higher | Can be more economical, depending on the base unit and work |
| History | Simpler, single-stage build history | Requires clear base-container and conversion records |
| Customisation | Designed in from the start | Added around the existing structure |
| Best fit | Long-term, high-specification or procurement-sensitive projects | Budget-conscious projects where a suitable base unit is available |
Industries That Rely On Dangerous Goods Containers
Dangerous goods containers are a genuine necessity, not an optional extra, across industries including:
- Mining and mineral processing.
- Construction and civil works.
- Agriculture, particularly where chemicals are stored on site.
- Industrial and manufacturing operations.
Mining
Processing chemicals, fuels, maintenance products and remote-site inventories.
Construction
Paints, solvents, fuels, adhesives and chemicals used across changing project stages.
Agriculture
Fuel, pesticides, herbicides and other farm chemicals requiring controlled access and segregation.
Manufacturing
Raw materials, cleaning agents, process chemicals and packaged hazardous substances.
The class of hazardous material varies by industry as much as the volume does. Mining and mineral processing often need Class 8 corrosive storage for processing chemicals, while agriculture typically stores Class 3 flammables such as fuels and pesticides, so a quote built around the wrong class won’t hold up once containers are ordered. Construction and industrial operations sometimes need a mix of both within one project.
Getting an accurate quote means specifying class and volume before pricing, not after, since containers built for one hazard class aren’t simply swapped for another later without further conversion work. That upfront detail is what separates a quote that holds through delivery from one that needs revising once real requirements become clear.
Mining And Construction Compliance Needs In WA
WA mining and construction sites face regular compliance checks, and non-compliant dangerous goods storage is one of the fastest ways to bring a job to a stop. Getting a properly built unit from the start, rather than trying to retrofit something later, avoids that risk entirely, and it is one reason ABC Containers has supplied mining and industrial clients including BHP, Rio Tinto, Civmec and Apache.
Inventory
List every product, quantity, package type, UN number and dangerous goods class.
Assess
Review each SDS, compatibility, fire risk, ventilation need and emergency response.
Specify
Match the container size, bund, floor, vents, access, signs and optional fit-out.
Verify
Confirm the delivered unit, location, documentation, placards and operating controls.
Delivery And Site Placement For Dangerous Goods Units
Most Perth metro deliveries are completed within 24 to 48 hours using tilt tray, side loader or HIAB trucks. Site placement for a dangerous goods container needs a bit more thought than a standard box, since access, drainage and ventilation clearance all matter, and the team can talk through placement as part of the quote.
Delivery Access Checklist
- Clear truck access, turning space and safe unloading room.
- No low powerlines, branches, awnings, bollards or soft shoulders.
- Doors facing the correct working and emergency-access direction.
- Enough room for tilt-tray, side-loader or HIAB placement.
Placement Checklist
- Level, stable pad that supports the loaded unit.
- Drainage that does not direct stormwater into or around the bund.
- Required separation from ignition sources, boundaries and occupied areas.
- Unblocked ventilation, signs, doors and emergency access.
Pricing For A Dangerous Goods Container
Pricing depends on size, whether the unit is new build or modified, and any further customisation such as extra shelving or side doors. A free, all-in quote confirms the total cost including delivery.
Why Choose ABC Containers For Compliant Storage
ABC Containers has more than 30 years of WA trading behind it, in-house modification capability, and a track record with mining and industrial clients who depend on getting dangerous goods storage right the first time. The complete satisfaction guarantee also covers transport costs on any exchange, which matters when compliance is on the line.
WA Owned and Operated
Local knowledge, Perth stock access and support for regional Western Australian sites.
In-House Modifications
One team can coordinate the base container, bunding, access, ventilation and fit-out.
Hire or Purchase
Choose temporary project flexibility or a long-term asset to suit your procurement plan.
All-In Quote
Confirm the unit, modifications, delivery method and site location before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dangerous Goods Containers
What is a dangerous goods container?
A bunded, ventilated container built to AS 1940 for storing hazardous materials in classes 3, 6 and 8.
What sizes are available?
10, 20 and 40ft, as new builds or modified conversions. The best choice depends on usable internal space, bund capacity, access, segregation and your site’s available footprint.
Do I need a certified dangerous goods unit for my site?
If you are storing hazardous materials covered by AS 1940-2017, a compliant unit is required. Speak with the team if you are unsure what your site needs.
How fast can a dangerous goods container be delivered?
Most Perth metro deliveries land within 24 to 48 hours.
Can a dangerous goods container be further modified?
Yes, with options including insulation, shelving and side doors. Other possibilities include personnel access, roller doors, lighting, specialised electrical work, equipment racks and air conditioning where the risk assessment and specification allow them.
Can Class 3, Class 6 and Class 8 goods be stored together?
Do not assume they can share one container. Compatibility depends on the specific products, subsidiary risks, quantities, packaging and SDS instructions. Incompatible chemicals need suitable separation or separate storage.
Is a yellow shipping container automatically compliant?
No. Yellow paint and warning labels improve visibility, but compliance depends on the complete build and operating setup, including bunding, ventilation, access, signs, documentation, compatibility, location and site controls.
What information should I provide for an accurate quote?
Provide the product names, SDS documents, UN numbers, classes, subsidiary risks, packing groups, maximum quantities, package types, preferred size, access requirements, delivery suburb, site photos and intended placement area.
Get The Right Dangerous Goods Container For Your Perth Site
If your site needs a compliant dangerous goods container, get in touch with ABC Containers for a free quote, or share this guide with anyone on your team responsible for site compliance.
Depot: 7 Timberyard Way, Bibra Lake WA 6163