Structural components packaged for safe arrival, anywhere in the world
Geometrica's careful packaging methods for its structural components, cladding and accessories ensure the cargo's safe arrival, regardless of its destination.
Geometrica materials are doubly packed. Structural parts and accessories are loaded into sturdy metal crates or frames, then these packages are loaded into containers for ocean transport, or onto platforms for transportation by road. Frames, crates and bundles are supplied by Geometrica to protect your goods. The plastic and metal bundles likewise are made of highly recyclable materials, and designed to withstand the rigors of containerized ocean transport and handling on site.
The dimensions and weight of each fully-loaded frame, crate or bundle are carefully controlled to make unloading easy and convenient. Packages are loaded into containers with readily available hydraulic dollies capable of handling 3 tons. A crane or forklift removes the crate from the container or platform and places it on the ground. Cranes also can unload OT containers.
This document describes the types of packaging that we provide for Geometrica products, how they are handled on site and how they are labeled.
Packing crates and frames for structural parts and accessories
Short tubes, hubs and accessories are packed into separate crates and loaded into containers. Long tubes are packed into frames similar to the crates but without metal skin. This system enables us to keep the neighboring parts for a structural section packed together, simplifying installation. Opening the crates, with their thousands of pieces, would be like opening a puzzle box, but here all the pieces of the puzzle are pre-sorted. Geometrica's metal crates and frames are strong enough to withstand handling on roads, trains or ships. Packing lists and other documents requested by our clients are affixed on the sides of the packages. Labels are protected from water by plastic wrapping.
Our packaging efficiency does not sacrifice the safety of our cargo. We have designed the crates and frames so all materials can be packed with minimum dimensions and weight, reducing freight charges while protecting each part inside. Frames and crate dimensions and weights are designed for ease of unloading and handling on site. Packages can be moved easily by forklift, hydraulic skid or crane, and most can be stacked for efficient use of space both during transport and at the job site. Note that no lifting lugs are provided on the top of the crates or frames. Thus, when lifting with a crane, crates and frames must be slung around their bottom with nylon straps.
Frames and crates are configured to weigh around 120 kg (250 lbs) when empty, and up to 3000 kg (6600 lbs) when full. Consisting of square steel tubes (and, for crates, galvanized steel sheets), crates and frames are welded and fastened together, permitting tubes of varying sizes to be inserted horizontally. Geometrica crates and frames will fill a container or a platform efficiently, minimizing transportation costs. The bottoms of the crates are framed as a single welded unit for better protection during transport or storage.
Crates and frames come in various sizes. 2.25 m (7.5') is a common length, so that crates may fit with their length aligned across platforms or shipping containers. "Long" frames, containing tubes of up to 5.5m (18') can be loaded into OT containers. Width and height vary independently from about 1m (40") to about 1.6m (63").
Oversized materials shipped in bundles or pallets
Oversized materials, such as cladding or flashing, are shipped in protected bundles that are usually placed on top of the crates to make the best use of available space. The parts are placed on metal pallets and covered to protect them from moisture and environmental damage. Each pallet is labeled so it can be placed properly at the site warehouse for future use. The label names the pieces enclosed so the site administrator knows exactly where they belong in the structure.
Informative packing labels
We use two labels on each package. One contains details of the products shipped inside the crate or bundle, including:
- Crate or package number
- Quantity of pieces
- Content description
- Weight (as requested by customer)
- Dimensions of package
For example:
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The second label contains additional information needed for freight, customs and storing at destination.
- Number of package and type (crate, pallet, bundle)
- Dated letter of credit/contract/purchase order
- General project description
- Customer reference (name, address, telephone, contact)
- Shipping port if by ocean (or Place of loading if by land)
- Receiving port if by ocean (or Place of discharge if by land)
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Labels are protected by plastic wrap and are placed so they are always visible, either on the sides of the crates or frames, or on top of the bundles.
Packing lists, certificate of origin and other shipping documents are usually sent separately from the shipment directly to the customer following contract instructions.
Informative parts labels
Tubes, hub assemblies and purlins are dot-peen marked and then labeled with stickers to identify the part, dimensions, and location and orientation on the structure.
Tubes
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Hub assemblies
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Purlins
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Loading and transportation to site
Whether it's a frame, a crate or a bundle, Geometrica packs its components efficiently and carefully into containers for ocean transport, or onto platforms for road haulage. Each frame, crate and pallet is marked and labeled for ease of tracking and to ensure proper installation of the structure. Though frames, crates and bundles are sturdy, we do not recommend their transportation as loose cargo. For ocean transport, frames and cladding bundles are most often loaded onto Open-Top (OT) containers. Goods are packed snugly or tied to the container's inner anchor points. For ground transport, platforms are used.
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Unloading and stacking on site
The unloading of our frames, crates and cladding packages can be done with forklifts or crane. With the installation manual, Geometrica provides detailed instructions for unloading and handling that are specific to your project. Following such instructions, packages can be unloaded from the transport containers and further moved within the construction site with platforms or telehandlers.
Harmonised system code
Geometrica structures are most often classified as 'prefabricated buildings' under harmonised system code 9406.90.99 NICO:00, or as 'Structures and parts of structures of iron and steel' under code 7308.90.