BRC Storage Program FAQ | BRC Storage Program

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Community Information
Accessing Storage
Containers
Delivery Service
Waitlist
Mutant Vehicles

Community Information

Accessing Storage

How do we make a reservation for access?

Please contact BRC Storage by email to request access. We recommend that you make reservations as soon as possible, and at least two weeks in advance. Access is not permitted without a confirmed reservation. Please don’t show up without us confirming your visit. Reservation request should include:

Requested date(s) of access
The container number(s) you wish to access
Your full name
Number of guests you wish to bring
Desired camping or lodging

Reservations will only be confirmed for accounts that have signed an agreement that includes access.

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Containers

How does joining container storage work?

Joining the program is easy:

Add your name and/or your group’s name to the waitlist, when it opens. Learn more about the Waitlist.
When your name comes up, you will be offered the chance to purchase one 20′ x 8′ foot shipping container, or to bring your own container into the program.
You must sign an agreement and pay for the container, registration or transfer fees, annual storage fees, and (optional) delivery fees. See the section about Billing & Payment for more details.

What are the containers like?

The specifications are:
External Dimensions = 20′ long by 8′ wide by 8.5′ tall.
Internal Dimensions =19.25′ long by 7.5′ wide by 7.9′ tall. Floor area = 145 sq ft.
Empty Weight = 4650 lbs.
Maximum Allowable Weight Loaded = 20,000 lbs distributed evenly.

The containers are standard, wind and weather tight, previously used, above C Grade quality, and can be locked (you must provide your own lock).

Washoe County requires all the containers be painted the same “sand tan” color for permitting and zoning reasons. Your container will be prepped accordingly as part of your purchase price. The agreement for storage at our facility prohibits altering the color by repainting your container or adding any permanent additions to the exterior of the container.

What can’t we put in containers?

Total weight not to exceed 20,000 lbs, distributed evenly. Container contents must be winterized if necessary.

The following are a partial list of prohibitions:

No hazardous materials, including ANY and all storage containers for flammable and combustible liquids
No alcohol, pharmaceuticals, or illegal substances
No personally identifiable information or documents containing financial, medical or health information
No flammables or combustibles, period
No live material – this includes humans. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE A STORAGE SPACE IN THIS FACILITY AS A RESIDENCE. FURTHER, USE OF THE CONTAINER FOR HUMAN OR ANIMAL HABITATION IS SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED.
No food or perishable items
Nothing precious or irreplaceable. Use common sense- this container is going to sit outside all year round.
Absolutely no firearms or fireworks– which you shouldn’t be bringing to Burning Man anyway!

Does stuff ever get damaged in container storage?

Damage can happen in different ways, but it usually involves damage to the container that allows moisture to enter. The primary ways this has happened (in the author’s experience) is by either corrosion to the container (often on the roof) from multiple years of neglect or because someone made a modification to the container and the modification did not survive transportation. This is a reason why modifications to the exterior of containers are prohibited. If you put a window in your container it will break. If you weld something to the side of your container, it may be torn off along with part of the container wall. If you bolt something through the container wall, moisture may enter. Don’t do it.
What you should do is inspect the interior and exterior of a container every year for signs of penetration and/or significant corrosion and take steps to correct it (such as sanding and repainting sand-tan), or contact us. Please remember that members of the BRC Storage Program OWN the containers, including the maintenance.

What if I don’t want my container any longer?

The steps must be initiated by the same person who is on agreement:

Identify who you’d like to sell your container to. We can help connect you with those on the waitlist if necessary.
Provide your name, burner profile email, camp name, contact info and PC number to brcstorage@burningman.org AND those details for the potential new owner.
We will review the potential new owner’s application, and determine if we are able to offer them service.
Burning Man will draw up a transfer agreement that must be signed by both parties.
Sign the agreement.
Pay the transfer fee; either the old or new owner may do this.
Burning Man does not facilitate payment for the container itself. This is worked out between the previous and new owner. We ask that you are mindful of wear and tear, and sell it for no more than you purchased it for.

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Container Delivery Service

How does the delivery system work

Container Owners may choose to have their container(s) delivered to a placed camp, in Black Rock City. Other storage, such as mutant vehicles or art, must be transported by the owner.

Register your camp with Placement.
We will email owners each year with information on electing delivery or no delivery; respond by the deadline.
When invoiced, pay the container, storage, and delivery fees by July 1.
Provide a detailed camp map to the storage team.
Arrive on playa and voila there is your container.
Post-event, pack it up, lock it, and we will take it from there.

What needs to be included on the camp map?

Camp plans must include:

Your PC Container number (i.e. PC311).
Two (2) measurements to the container including one from the road and one from the side of your camp.
The door direction. (This is important and often forgotten.)
First on playa camp contact, name, phone and email.

**BRC storage does not know your camp location. Placement will not provide your exact location either. If your camp infrastructure is heavily reliant on your container placement, consider providing maps that outline each possible variation of layout.

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Waitlist

How long do I have to sign up when my name comes up on the waitlist?

You will have two (2) weeks to reply and either confirm you want a container or to delay your offer to the next year. Containers and slips will be offered and allocated to those that reply on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. If you do not reply within the allotted time, the container will be offered to the next participant/camp on the waitlist.
Once you have confirmed that you want to purchase a container and provided the requested information, you will have two (2) weeks from receiving the agreement to sign the agreement and provide payment for the container.

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Mutant Vehicles

Will you accept any mutant vehicle for storage?

Mutant vehicles must be drivable and be driven into the storage yard on their own power. If a mutant vehicle is trailered, we may accept it on the trailer.

All mutant vehicles stored at The 360 must be stored in a condition that does not create MOOP. Mutant vehicles must not be leaking fluids. Please check for, and correct, any fluid leaks before bringing the vehicle to The 360. No plastic tarps allowed (they shred into MOOP). No loose pieces that may blow away from the mutant vehicle.

All vehicles are subject to an initial check-in and inspection before they will be allowed to be stored. Vehicles will be monitored through the year for signs of MOOPing and we will contact you to correct any problems. We are pretty reasonable about what we allow; we all need to be good stewards of the land and community.

Mutant vehicles stored at The 360 must also be in good standing with the Black Rock City DMV and attend Burning Man at least once in any three year period.

How do I prepare my mutant vehicle for storage?

You should consider if it is necessary to winterize your mutant vehicle. It will be parked outside. Tarps and plastic coverings not intended for long-term outdoor use and high wind speeds may not be used. If your vehicle requires a covering, please consider billboard vinyl material (best) or purpose-built options like RV covers. Canvas coverings are permitted. You must provide a sturdy barrier under your mutant vehicle to catch any possible liquids. This can be as simple as plywood.

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