INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
NEWS
1 4
2
To ensure consistency and the accuracy of tests done in the chamber , a standard — SABS 1744 — has been drafted and published .
3
Although one of many similar projects , he pointed out that small changes done over time lead to big change and impact positively on the economy in the long term .
The vehicle thermal test chamber is the latest addition to the many test stations and laboratories at the extensive facilities and head office of the SABS in Groenkloof , Pretoria . The unveiling of the chamber was welcomed by Amanda Gcabashe , executive testing ( SABS ). “ Our staff has enjoyed a close collaboration with the GIZ-appointed consultants , Cemafroid in France , to ensure that the chamber is operated according to international standards . The testing of refrigerated road vehicles is new to the SABS and we welcome a close collaboration with industry role players to maximise the benefit of this important investment .”
Cemafroid was afforded the consultancy services for the test chamber and provided exchange opportunities in terms of design , implementation , commissioning , and training .
1 . From left : Constant Pretorius ( SABS ), Trevor Holcroft ( Serco ), Dawie du Toit ( Shoprite ), and Charl Coetzee ( Serco ).
2 . From left : Bob Vuletic ( Multistage Cooling ), Rangani Lishivha ( Energy Partners ), Michael Schuster ( GIZ ), and John Ackermann .
3 . From left : Linda Phalatse ( GIZ ), Michael Schuster ( GIZ ), Susan Dada ( GIZ ), Bob Vuletic ( Multistage Cooling ), and Betty Madingwaneng ( GIZ ).
4 . With the R290 transport unit , from left : Daniel Nkuna ( Department of Health ), Peter Solomon ( Transfrig ), John Ackermann , Bill Wilson ( Transfrig ), and Stefaan Bathue ( Isobodies ).
SABS personnel were extensively trained at the SABS and at Cemafroid in Paris .
The staff was declared competent by Cemafroid to carry out all relevant tests . An Interlab comparison between Cemafroid and the SABS was carried out successfully .
‘ Mans ’ Rehaman , national chair of the South African Vehicle and Body Builders ’ Association ( SAVABA ), thanked the GIZ for the confidence shown in South Africa and the investment made in the local body building industry . “ The visits by overseas body builders and the transfer in manufacturing technology will go a long way towards setting new manufacturing standards .”
A LONG TIME COMING
A chamber to test the thermal performance of road vehicles of maximum legal length has been mooted in South Africa since the late 1980s . A chamber similar to those in Europe was high on the agenda when the South African Refrigerated Distribution Association ( SARDA ) was founded in June 1990 . The SARDA code of practice “ Implementing the cold chain in the distribution of perishable products ” published in September 1993 , recommends the heat leakage rate for refrigerated vehicles to be 0.4W / m ² - ° K .
After two visits to South Africa by Robert Heap , John Ackermann of SARDA went to view the Shipowners Refrigerated Cargo Research Association ( SRCRA ) test chamber at Cambridge , UK , in 1992 , with the intention of a transfer of technology to establish a chamber In Cape Town . “ The lack of funding shelved the building of a chamber and was only revived when GIZ started their project in South Africa in 2011 .”
Continued on page 13
COLD LINK AFRICA • July | August 2017 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 11