Reefer Containers 101 - Essential Safety and Operational Guidelines

1. Reefer Containers 101: Essential Safety and Operational Guidelines Reefer containers, a global storage solution for businesses across industries, are gaining immense popularity thanks to their superior features and safety. These containers are designed to maintain the desired atmosphere and temperature to protect the integrity and quality of the contents round the year in open space. They often rely on external power sources and are managed by internal control. While reefer shipping containers in India and across the globe ensure that the contents are protected from any internal/external factors for which authorities need to monitor and manage their operations constantly. Moreover, it is essential to optimize the safety and efficiency of the containers to keep the machine running in its prime condition. Let us look at how you can do this. Reefer Container Operations Overview Reefer or refrigerated containers are designed to circulate cold air through a T-shaped decking, ensuring a uniform airflow throughout the container. The authorities carrying out reefer operations should adhere to specific guidelines/procedures for stuffing, preparing, reloading, and removing contents into other reefer containers. They will have to set temperature, air, ventilation, and humidity points before sealing off the ready container to do the work. The container uses an external power source on site, sometimes a generator. Thus, checking the generator’s condition becomes crucial since the container cannot cool down by itself.

2. Since there are chances of power disruptions during storage period and shipment, authorities should ensure that, given the container’s current condition, it can maintain the internal temperature between 1 - 2 degrees Celsius, allowing the contents to stay cool even if there is a power issue for one to six hours. Please know that the reefer container can consume power anywhere between 6 to 9 kW depending on its specifications, manufacturer’s guidelines, refrigeration unit, technical condition, and the desired temperature. Safety During Reefer Operations The conditions discussed above must be fulfilled and monitored to ensure the cool chain remains intact. Moreover, the power supply should be monitored explicitly since any disturbance in the power chain can affect the quality and safety of the contents inside. Thus, authorities execute 3 activities - plugging, unplugging, and monitoring. Reefer containers often require a three-phase electrical system with a 440/460-volt power supply. At times, some models can even require a three-phase transformer with a 208/230-volt power supply. Given the high voltage, these units function with, and the authorities deal with, ensuring safety is necessary. Make sure to check that the power source is off before plugging the container. You can then pull out the cord and check any signs of damage. Do not plug the cord even if there is the slightest damage or signs of wear and tear. Similarly, an inspection of the power plug should be conducted. If you find the plug crushed or cracked, the pins are not up to the mark, or any sort of burn marks, refrain from using the power plug. If all goes well, you can connect the power receptacle with the power cord and secure them using a safety ring. Finally, you can turn on the power. As soon as the reefer receives power, you will be able to see the internal temperature of the unit, details concerning the power supply, and a menu to control settings, display, and alarms, if any. Generally, the authorities will proceed by setting a temperature zone, and if this setting is unavailable, you can adjust the unit temperature to the range recommended for a particular cargo As a reefer operative, you must be extremely careful with monitoring, documenting, and adjusting the temperature settings. They must immediately act in case the temperature displayed and temperature recommended show mismatched data. Even though manual monitoring can be tedious at times, authorities need to check every document, temperature, and other data values and alarms. They must also thoroughly monitor the data to record/document every value. Automated operations like machinery and cranes must be stopped to ensure the operative's safety unless they enter a safe zone and continue the inspection.

3. Unplugging the reefer container appropriately is as important as plugging the container. But before touching the plug or the cord, the operative should turn off the power source. After that, they can unlock the safety ring and remove the power cord attached to the receptacle. The reefer unit can be moved once the power cord is secured into the cord housing. Timing is highly crucial when unplugging. Doing this too early can damage the contents inside. At worst, if the operatives forget to unplug and the reefer unit is removed early, it can destroy the power cable while damaging the genset. This also increases the chances of further accidents and damages. Conclusion The global storage and supply industry relies mainly on reefer containers for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive products. For best results, used reefer containers must be constantly monitored and managed for using as a cold storage solution for their manufacturing sites. Source: https://theamberpost.com/post/reefer-containers-101-essential-safety-and-operational- guidelines