A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR TESTING THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF VEHICLES USED TO TRANSPORT PERISHABLE FOODS

There are in existence, in various stages of development, at least nine different national or international standards for testing the thermal performance of vehicles used to transport perishable foods. Some of these standards are still in draft stage, while others have been completed and are being used by the industries or governments concerned. With the increasing importance of moving perishable foods in international trade, it is becoming imperative that these standards be compatible with one another. Otherwise, manufacturers and users may find that they have to test vehicles according to more than one standard. In the end, such multiple testing would result in added costs for transportation. This report compares nine test standards on the basis of some 47 different points. A point-by-point comparison reveals that the nine standards are not in complete agreement on any of these points. For example, the specified test time for the heat transfer test of the vehicle body varies from 4 to 56 hours, even though the basic objective of the test is the same for all standards. The comparative information set forth in this report is being published to help other organizations and persons who may be involved in the development or use of similar standards. Also, publication of this information will call attention to the need for an international standard that would permit industries and governments involved in international trade to compare the performance of thermal-type vehicles on a uniform basis.

• Corporate Authors:

  Agricultural Research Service

  Agricultural Marketing Research Institute
  Beltsville, MD  United States 
• Authors:
  • Guilfoy Jr, R F
• Publication Date: 1973-5

Media Info

• Features: Appendices;
• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chilled cargo; Containers; Heat insulating materials; Refrigeration (Structures); Refrigeration systems; Standards; Temperature control (Structures)
• Old TRIS Terms: Container standards
• Subject Areas: Construction; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00051975
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: ARS-NE-22
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 9 1974 12:00AM