Rank: Forum user 
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Hi,
I have been informed that our logistics side of the business have purchased a Portakabin office which will be used as an office inside of our warehouse. This is not a temporary solution, just a cheaper solution to a permanent structure being built.
A couple of questions, my understanding are that these structures are designed for temporary use only.
Also, in terms of fire, are these things more of a risk when used indoors? I have actually been on a construction site a number of years back when one of these units caught fire, and I seem to remember it was gone within minutes!!
Your feedback on this will be appreciated,
Thank you.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You will have to review your Fire Risk assessment (you do have one?)
If in doubt contact your local Fire Brigade for advice - they provide free proformas for FRA for simple premises. (Not sure if yours is simple).
You may need to get a competent consultant in to do a FRA - this is not expensive, generally speaking.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Why do they want it erected inside? Is there no room outside as these units are very secure?
Also why not contact someone like Portacabin and ask thier advice.
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Rank: Forum user
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No room outside unfortunately.
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Rank: Super forum user
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At my last place we had them in the warehouse for years- a good cheap way to get office space.
As long as they are set up correctly and maintained as you would any structure they are fine.
Hope this helps
Andy
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Rank: Forum user 
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If you have the wonderful experience of going to The Defence driving school, Lecconfield. Then you will notice all the portacabins in the hangers. Doesn't seem to be a problem. They've been there for years.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Word of warning
The company of the same name get s bit upset if you describe portable building not of their manufacture by that name.
Which is reasonable IMHO
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Rank: Super forum user
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GE1971 - if your warehouse is protected by a sprinkler installation then you may need to install additional drop down heads within the portable building structure.
Other than that, as others have said, a common enough site within warehouse spaces and a good way to create flexible office space.
Over the years I've also seen garden sheds used as warehouse offices and I do have an issue with that if it is on an FLT route or near racking.
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Rank: Forum user
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Garden shed...I don't want to give them ideas!!
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Rank: Forum user
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I had one previously in a warehouse and in the summer it was getting close to 40ºC inside the cabin. (May not be a major risk at your site, but it is something to keep in mind, especially when the complaints about heat and requests for air conditioning inevitably land on your desk)
Are you able to set up a "free zone" around the cabin to prevent things like forklift battery chargers being sited against it?
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Rank: Forum user
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Great advice guys, appreciated.
We have a meeting Monday to discuss where it will be sited in the warehouse, so will be taking all your advice on board. Having had a good walk around there myself this morning, I think the whole Traffic Management needs looking at as well, as there will be an increase in the number of employees once the cabin is up and running.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Don't forget that you are almost certainly creating an 'inner room' situation where staff within that space are at risk unless they can be made aware of any fire in the access room (warehouse space).
Google or the HMG Fire Safety Guides will be your friend here, but basically the risk can be lowered to an acceptable level by:
> The provision of smoke detection in the access room (not sprinklers)
> The provision of a window (clear glass and unobstructed) into the access room
> Lowering to walls or creating a gap in the wall or roof (so that smoke can be seen and smelled)
It needs to be wired up correctly and care needs to be taken with the method of heating (avoiding LPG if possible)
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