Phase 9 part (b) - Reefer Claims Handling

Part B follows from where Part A left off and looks at partlow charts, microprocessor downloads and control atmosphere records.

Partlow Charts

Partlow charts may record either supply or return air temperatures depending on the manufacturer and model of the refrigeration unit. Microprocessors record supply and return air temperatures. Partlow charts do not record the cargo pulp temperatures.

For chill cargoes, the recorded air temperatures will generally be at or about the shipper’s specified thermostat setting if the supply air is recorded(1) and slightly higher than the shipper’s specified thermostat setting if the return air temperature is recorded.

For freeze cargo, the recorded air temperatures will generally be at or higher than the shipper’s specified thermostat setting if the return air is recorded and lower than the shipper’s specified thermostat setting if the supply air temperature is recorded.

Microprocessor Downloads

We strongly recommend that the technician downloading the refrigeration unit’s microprocessor for the claims handler or subject matter expert provide original “text files” that include dates, times, set points, atmosphere, humidity, air temperatures, cargo temperatures (if cold treatment is required), pre-trips, alarms and event logs.

The formats and types of information available from refrigerated container microprocessor download reports can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer, the model/type of refrigeration unit and the user specified format. Different formats, alarm codes and configurations of microprocessor download reports make the evaluation of these reports by non-subject experts very challenging and, as a result, may require the support and interpretation of a subject matter expert.