Reefer Container Pre-trip Inspections Part1

The PTI is a detailed inspection of the container and sould be meticulously carried out reefer experts to ensure that prior voyage a container is :

• clean
• there are no odours
• the system is in perfect condition

Auto PTI
The operational part of the pre- trip check, carried out using the controller keypad, is known as the auto pre-trip inspection (PTI). Each component is checked for its correct values and the balance of various key parameters such as current draws. The components are checked in a step by step sequence for a specific period of time before determining if the parts are satisfactory.

Auto PTI 1 (short) takes approximately 20 minutes and can be performed on loaded containers without affecting the cargo. It consists of a series of unit functionality tests of the various operating circuits of the controller. Auto PTI 2 (long) takes more than 3 hours and includes comprehensive operational tests including temperature pull down tests. A long PTI should not be performed on loaded containers as it is not safe for the cargo to be without cooling for such a long period of time. This is particularly true for chilled cargoes as damage can occur due to the accumulation of heat.

There is also a facility for performing individual tests of the PTI sequence. This is a useful fault-finding tool. A defective or poorly performing component is indicated by a failure in the PTI sequence. A satisfactory component is indicated by a pass. Although an auto PTI is performed by the terminal operator before the cargo is loaded, it can also be performed onboard by the ship's staff in the event of a problem with the performance of the refrigeration machinery. This will help to quickly identify any defective component in the refrigeration circuit. The sequence shows the codes appearing on the display menu as the tests are carried out in the auto PTI 1 and auto PTI 2 checks. Each individual test in the auto PTI sequence has its own requirements, test conditions and pass/fail criteria. In addition to auto PTI 1 and auto PTI 2, Carrier Transicold has recently introduced a 2 hour-long auto PTI 3 check, which starts at P1-0 and terminates at P8-2. Similar to an auto PTI 2 sequence, auto PTI 3 cannot be undertaken when the container is carrying perishable cargo that could be damaged by the amount of time without cooling. The auto PTI 3 check has the advantage of being completed more quickly than an auto PTI 2, as the tests for frozen cargo are not carried out.