Doc. No. OM-101
Version 1.9: Jan. 16, 2009
8 (40)
PRECONDITIONING
PRECONDITIONING
The cargo and container must be pre-conditioned to the set temperature prior to loading. Improper
precondition will affect the container's ability to maintain cargo temperature.
Cargo Preconditioning
The cargo must be preconditioned in a temperature-controlled room to the container's set temperature
prior to loading (separating the cargo aids the preconditioning process). Once preconditioned, limit
exposure of the cargo to ambient temperatures during the loading process.
Container Preconditioning
Prior to preconditioning,
a functional test of the control unit should be performed
.
There are three recommended practices for container preconditioning:
Precondition with a temperature-controlled room
1) Turn off the control unit or remove the batteries from the holder.
2) Place the container in a temperature-controlled room that is set to the desired temperature.
3) Open the container doors.
4) Allow at least one hour for container preconditioning before loading the cargo.
Precondition with dry ice (for refrigerated cargo)
An amount of dry ice required to cool both the container and maintain cargo temperature (as stated
in the Dry Ice Tables Section) is placed in the dry ice bunker
1) Calculate the total amount of dry ice required (for preconditioning and shipment).
2) Place batteries in the control unit and set the temperature.
3) Load the dry ice in the bunker.
4) Close the container doors.
5) Allow at least one hour for container preconditioning before loading the cargo.
Precondition with dry ice (for deep frozen cargo)
A sufficient amount of dry ice to cool the container is placed in the dry ice bunker and in the cargo area
to accelerate the preconditioning process
1) Calculate the total amount of dry ice required.
2) Place batteries in the control unit and set the temperature.
3) Load 20% of total amount of dry ice in the bunker. The remaining dry ice will be loaded with
the cargo
4) Distribute 50 kg of dry ice on a pallet in the cargo area.
5) Close the container doors.
6) Allow at least one hour for container preconditioning before loading the cargo.
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pages 15-19
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