Testing the ventilation system when the ship is delivered
is primarily aimed at confirming that the design supply air flow is
obtained. The test results apply to empty vehicle deck and the weather
prevailing at the time of testing.
The values recorded during testing are neither representative
nor equivalent to those that need to be applied during loading and
unloading of the various types of vehicles under varying weather conditions.
To utilise the ventilation system in the ro-ro cargo
spaces on a ship most effectively, knowledge must be acquired of its
capacity from experience and through simple tests. It is important
that guidelines, rules and routines be established for using the ventilation
system in typical loading and unloading conditions. It is also important
that experience gained will be documented and passed on, to provide
guidance for the ship's crew.
By systematic use of visible
smoke, it is possible to assess the air circulation in a ro-ro cargo
space, and an anemometer can be used for determining the rate of flow
of supply air. If the results are compared with detailed documentation
of actual conditions, they can be used to provide a firm foundation
for effective measures.
It is important that the conditions
prevailing at the time of the test, which are likely to influence
the results, are carefully documented since air flow patterns will
vary according to loading conditions. The test results are obviously
only applicable to the conditions existing at the time of the tests.