The loss of refrigeration can shut down many businesses. It also can render their entire inventory unusable. That may not only mean the loss of today’s product or income, but the permanent loss of customers and negative publicity. It is important, therefore, for a business to monitor refrigeration systems and plan ahead for dealing with equipment problems that may cause spoilage.
In refrigerated trucking, depending on where and when the breakdown happens, it could be tough to immediately address the problem. That’s why planning for these circumstances ahead of time is crucial to prevent further losses.
Spoilage & the Consequences
A large number of businesses require refrigeration to prevent something from spoiling. To some frozen food businesses, “too high” might be 25 degrees F, and “too long” might be a few minutes. For you, spoilage might not just mean loss of today’s product or income, but could easily result in permanent loss of customers and adverse publicity that can affect potential customers.
These systems “know” what different temperature and humidity ranges to maintain in different rooms and areas at different times of day and days of the week. They’re commonly programmed to run an automatic defrost cycle, told how often to monitor specific temperatures and when to consider a temperature excursion or refrigerant leakage a condition requiring an alarm.
But despite these advances, spoilage continues to occur in just about all types of businesses that use refrigeration. Spoilage can happen very quickly if proper temperatures are not maintained due to loss of refrigeration. Specific refrigeration equipment failure modes and examples have been exhaustively reported in previous issues of The Locomotive, but the major causes of spoilage today continue to be electrical power supply outages and mechanical failure of refrigeration equipment.
Properly operating and maintaining refrigeration equipment and controls is the best way to reduce the probability of spoilage. However, if a problem does occur, the two key elements of controlling the situation are simple ones. You have to know what is happening when it is happening, and you have to do something about it quickly.
Detection
Companies can’t do anything about a potential spoilage issue if they aren’t aware of what is happening. Protect your business with refrigerated truck insurance and timely detection and notification of refrigeration loss. A safe system should have the following:
- A reliable tamper resistant method of continuously monitoring the temperature within the refrigerated space.
- Alarm points appropriately based on the documented requirements of the items being refrigerated and set to generate an alarm whenever conditions indicate loss or substantial reduction of refrigeration.
- Exhibit fail-safe operation. (Complete loss of electrical power should create a refrigeration loss alarm).
- A reliable method for observation of an alarm. (Dependent upon the value of what you have refrigerated. It may be a simple alarm or a very sophisticated multiple point system).
- Tested monthly with logged results.
- A written and practiced response procedure.
Pre-Emergency Planning
Once a potential spoilage situation is detected, you often have little time to respond. The most rapid response can occur if you’re prepared with a proper pre-emergency plan in place. Think through and document your response before an emergency situation. Secure refrigerated truck insurance and a strong pre-emergency plan so you are prepared if an issue arises. The plan should incorporate:
- Specific responsibilities and whom there are delegated to.
- How to determine if the alarm truly reflects a loss of refrigeration situation.
- Detailed steps to reduce the probability of spoilage.
- Specific names and numbers of key contacts.
- Specific steps for salvage, reclamation or disposal of goods if it becomes necessary.
- Periodic review and updates.
About Tobico Trucking Insurance
Trucking insurance is one of the most difficult types of insurance to obtain, but it doesn’t have to be. At Tobico Trucking Insurance, we are experienced and knowledgable about the trucking insurance market and the needs of trucking operations of all types and sizes. You need an agent who has the specialized knowledge of this ever-changing industry, and we have the products and the dedicated customer service to provide you with what you need. For more information, contact us any time of day at (469) 731-0707 to find out how we can help you.
