Notebook · 6 min read
Dangerous Goods Container Guide: Your Storage Checklist
Before you pick a DG container, tell us what's going inside, how much you keep and how you get it in and out. Bunding and ventilation matter, but start with the stock list. We can talk through the size after that.
Farm spray products, workshop solvents and contractor supplies can look like ordinary stock on a shelf. Their storage needs are another matter. Sunstate supplies DG containers in sizes from 8ft to 20ft high cube, including side-opening units. DG units are our specialty and we hold them in stock. Here's what to have handy when you ring so we can talk through the setup.
Ask about DG storageSee the DG range
What to look for in a dangerous goods container
A general purpose container is a lockable space with a timber floor. A DG store adds features for the substances inside it. Check the specification of the actual unit offered, rather than assuming every container labelled "DG" has the same capacity or arrangement.
- Bunded floor: a sump beneath the walking surface provides space to contain liquid spills. Ask for the unit's stated containment capacity and whether the floor materials suit your products.
- Ventilation: panels allow air movement through the store. Keep their openings clear when planning shelves and stock positions; ventilation provisions need to suit the intended contents.
- Access: door layout affects how you load, inspect and remove packages. Think through how someone reaches the last drum without shifting everything in front of it.
- Identification: discuss the signage needed for the proposed contents and site. A label on the door does not tell you whether the whole storage arrangement is suitable.
Start with your chemical list and safety data sheets
Write down the product names, package sizes and largest quantities you expect to keep at once. Include seasonal stock or project supplies that might arrive together. A store that accommodates today's order may be too small for the next delivery.
Have the current safety data sheet (SDS) for each product available. WorkSafe Queensland advises checking the SDS storage and handling information when identifying incompatible chemicals. Its guidance on storing incompatible hazardous chemicals is a useful starting point for that conversation.
Tell us any dangerous goods class shown in the product information, but send the full product list too. Choosing the container is one part of planning storage; your site's requirements, including local rules, and the suitability of the proposed contents still need to be checked.
Compact store, larger unit or side-opening?
| Layout | Worth discussing when | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| 8ft or 10ft | You have a smaller inventory and a limited set-down area. | Package dimensions, room to reach stock and the unit's bund capacity. |
| 20ft high cube | You need more space to organise supplies or accommodate taller packages. | The actual internal layout, shelving arrangement and clear access to vents. |
| Side-opening | You want to reach packages along the length or discuss forklift loading. | Side clearance, door swing and how your handling equipment meets the unit. |
A longer box doesn't tell you which chemicals it can store. Tell us what you keep and how you handle it, and we'll talk through the available layouts. Check the stock and specifications of the actual unit before you order.
Can different chemicals share a DG container?
Do not decide by whether the packages fit. Some products need separation from others, so tell us about everything intended for the store, including additions you are planning. Explain any separation requirements already identified in your site's assessment.
WorkSafe Queensland's segregation tool can help flag compatibility questions. The authority says it does not replace an SDS or a risk assessment. Check what needs to be kept apart before choosing one shared store or separate units.
Plan the working space as well as the footprint
Mark out where the container would sit and where the doors would open. Allow for the people or equipment handling stock, and show us anything that could restrict truck access: a narrow gate, overhead obstruction, tight bend or soft approach.
Photos of the entrance and proposed position make the delivery discussion more useful. Include any site induction or booking requirements. Our delivery information covers the next part of planning the drop.
What to include in a DG container enquiry
- Product names, SDS availability and any identified DG classes.
- Package sizes and maximum quantities held at the same time.
- How stock is handled: by hand, pallet or another method.
- Any known segregation or site specification requirements.
- Delivery suburb, available space and access restrictions.
Use the form below to give us the outline. Got a full chemical register? Just mention it and have it handy when we ring back. Or ring the number below and read us the labels, with the safety data sheets nearby. Tell us what you're storing and where it's going, and we'll talk through the next step.