PRIMARY CONCEPT 9.1: Maintain Cold Chain Within Prescribed Tolerance
Critical Guidelines
9.1.1 Transport Requirements
- The form of transport used must be able to maintain the cold chain.
- Use refrigerated transport if there is a risk of temperature rises.
9.1.2 Loading Facilities
- Provide adequate loading docks/facilities to maintain temperature and expedite the loading process.
9.1.3 Time Temperature Tolerances (TTTs)
- TTTs must be adhered to.
- Where necessary, Gensets (power units) must be used when integral containers are loaded with cold fruit inland.
9.1.4 Pre-staging Loads
- Pre-stage loads in holding rooms/airlocks that can maintain the minimum temperature.
- Apply FIFO principles.
- Tighten pallet straps to avoid pallet loads collapsing during handling and transport.
9.1.1 Supporting Documents
PRIMARY CONCEPT 9.2: Only Load Fruit at Desired Pulp Temperature
Critical Guidelines
9.2.1 Temperature Requirements
- Cold stores should dispatch fruit with pulp temperatures not above 1.5°C, preferably not above 0°C.
- Pears more than 2°C above booked carrying temperature may not be loaded into containers.
- Apples with temperatures above +3°C may not be loaded.
9.2.2 Temperature Recorders
- It is recommended that one pallet per container is fitted with a reliable temperature recorder.
9.2.1 Supporting Documents
PRIMARY CONCEPT 9.3: Timely Transmission of Files When Moving Fruit
Critical Guidelines
9.3.1 Pallet Information Transfer
- Pallet information recorded in the database at the cold store/pack house must be sent to the receiving depot.
- Delays at receiving depots can be reduced if pallet database information is transferred before the vehicle arrives, avoiding rescanning of pallet specification.
PRIMARY CONCEPT 9.4: Avoid Exceeding Load and Axle Mass Restrictions
Critical Guidelines
9.4.1 Load and Stacking Patterns
- Total load and stacking pattern of pallets must be within road vehicle regulations and container capacity.
- Be especially careful when loading hi-cubed pear pallets to prevent axle mass of trucks being exceeded.
- Cargo mass must be accurately recorded by weighing pallets or the container before and after loading.
PRIMARY CONCEPT 9.5: Deliver Full Container to Stack/Depot Quickly
Critical Guidelines
9.5.1 Stack Times
- Make sure of open stack times before loading containers.
9.5.2 Plug-in Points
- Arrange for plug-in points if stacks are not accessible.
9.5.3 Power Connection
- Container must be connected to power as soon as possible after arrival at the stack/depot.
9.5.4 Dual Loading Guidelines
- If loading a container at more than one loading point, follow special guidelines for dual loads.
9.5.1 Supporting Documents
PRIMARY CONCEPT 9.6: Monitor Container Temperatures Regularly
Critical Guidelines
9.6.1 Monitoring Frequency
- Container temperatures must be monitored every 4 hours, 24/7.
9.6.1 Supporting Documents
- Minimum Standard for Reefer Container Procedure (See 9.5.1 A)
PRIMARY CONCEPT 9.7: Container Loading
Critical Guidelines
9.7.1 General Loading Issues
- There are many issues to consider when loading reefer containers with fruit.
9.7.2 EU Consignment Stabilisation
- When loading an EU consignment of 19 pallets, the last pallet must be stabilised to avoid falling over during transportation. Guidelines compiled by the CRI can be followed.