Floor Boards.

TB 55-8115-200-23

12. Floor Boards.

a. If floor board is damaged (cracked, warped, rotted or otherwise deteriorated) for 10 feet (3.05m) or

more, the floor board must be `spliced. Stock or fabricated angle iron (1 inch to. 125 inches X 1 inch X 1 inch

X 16 inches long) (.305m to .038m X .305m X .305m X .406m) must be attached to cross members on which

the ends of the splice will bear, by welding each end to prevent rotation, and along the bottom by spotting 2-

inch welds 6 inches on center. The angle must extend beneath and be attached to adjacent boards. No more

than three splices are allowed per container floor, and each splice must span at least four sound cross

members. Joints of laterally adjacent splices must be staggered. (See figure numbers 5, 6 and 7.)

b. All caulking around the floor perimeter must be removed to a minimum depth of .25 inches below

floor level and recaulked with sealing compound TT-S-230. Edges of the splices and all other small voids,

.06 inches or more below the surface of the floor will be filled with sealing compound TT-S-230.

c. A forklift test as outlined below will be performed if, in the judgment of the inspector, signs of

deterioration exist which indicate that the container floor may be structurally unsound.

d. Procedures for a forklift test areas follows:

(1) Support the empty MILVAN container on its four bottom corner fittings so that the floor cross

members are clear of the ground approximately 6 inches.

(2) Use a forklift which has at least a 12,000 pound axle loading (6,000 pounds each wheel) with a wheel

surface contact area of at least 22 square inches per wheel. The proper forklift load can be approximated by

loading a lowmast forklift with a 4,000 pound load at the end of the tines.

(3) Run the loaded forklift down the center line of the container to the forward end wall and back out.

Continue this procedure for both the left side and right side of the container.

(4) If there is no failure of the floor structural members, floor boards or weld joints, the container will

be considered acceptable.

13. Side and End Panels.

Dents which do not protrude externally beyond the plane of the container comer fittings need not be

repaired. Dents which do not reduce the internal dimensions below 19 feet 3 inches (5.87m) length, 7 feet 8

inches (2.36m) width of the general cargo container, and 7 feet 7.75 inches on the restraint container or in-

terface with the operation of the belt rail, need not be repaired.

14. Door, Door Fittings and Door Frame.

a. Door panels must be repaired or replaced to maintain structural integrity and water tightness.

b. If wood at base of door frame is deteriorated, remove 6 inches from the bottom and across the width

of the door and replace with a wood insert treated for water resistance. The metal face may then be reglued

and secured around the perimeter by wood screws .5 inches long, every 3 inches. Delamination of the metal

surface is acceptable if the door forms a water/airtight seal when closed and secured.

c. To repair sheet metal panels of the door when the damage is major:

(1) Remove paint from damaged area.

(2) Cut the damaged area so that a piece of metal can be placed over the damaged area (see figure 8).

(3) Apply repair sheet metal over all of the damaged area providing at least 2 inches overlap all the

w a y around.