Section 1 General requirements

1.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter apply to ships where the class notation CRC 'carriage of refrigerated containers' is requested.

1.1.2 This notation may be applied to any ship which has the ability to carry refrigerated containers. The requirements of this Chapter cover refrigerated containers stowed on deck as well as in a hold space. A descriptive notation may be assigned in addition to the CRC notation giving details of electrical power and type of cargo.

1.1.3 The requirements are additional to the classification requirements for ships contained in other applicable parts of the Rules.

1.1.4 Ships which comply with the requirements of this Chapter will be eligible for the applicable class notation specified in Pt 1, Ch 2, 2.6 Class notations (refrigerated cargo installations (RMC), controlled atmosphere (CA) systems and carriage of refrigerated containers (CRC)).

1.1.5 An example of a typical class notation for a container ship classed with LR, fitted with a ventilation system built under Special Survey and fitted with electrical plug-in points for deck stowed refrigerated containers, would be:

1. + CRC 230/140 to maintain 230 hold-stowed and 140 deck-stowed refrigerated containers operating at their design condition with a 24 hour average external ambient air temperature of 35°C.

1.1.6 An example of a typical class notation for a reefer ship classed with LR, fitted with electrical plug-in points for deck stowed refrigerated containers, would be:

1. + CRC -/110 to maintain 110 deck-stowed refrigerated containers operating at their design condition with a 24 hour average external ambient air temperature of 35°C.

1.1.7 In addition to any class notation, an appropriate descriptive notation may be assigned to provide additional information about the ship's ability to carry refrigerated containers.

1.1.8 An example of a typical descriptive notation, which may be assigned in addition to the class notation, would be:

1. crc 2,800 kW provided with a power generating capacity of 2,800 kW dedicated to supplying the container plug-in points.

2. crc 60%/40% stowage ratio of 60% deep frozen and 40% chilled cargoes

1.1.9 These Rules do not cover any requirements for alarm and monitoring systems that may be fitted to container refrigeration units.

1.2.1 Where the proposed ventilation arrangement is novel in design, or the ventilation system involves the use of an arrangement different from that specified in the following sections, special tests may be required and a suitable descriptive note may be assigned.

1.2.2 The carriage of refrigerated containers in the hold spaces of ships other than dedicated container ships will be given special consideration. The CRC and descriptive notations will be assigned provided that the ventilation system is approved, installed and tested in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.

1.2.3 Where a dedicated fresh water circulation system is installed to supply cooling water to containers fitted with an optional water cooled condenser, the fresh water system will also need to comply with the relevant Sections of Pt 5, Ch 12 Piping Design Requirements of the Rules.

1.3.1  Balanced ventilation system means a ventilation system consisting of a combination of forced draught and induced or natural draught, to produce a pressure condition in the hold space approximately equal to atmospheric pressure.

1.3.2  Blackout means that the main and auxiliary machinery installations, including the main power supply, are out of operation but the services for bringing them into operation (e.g. compressed air, starting current from batteries etc.) are available.

1.3.3  Container cell means the position of an individual container. This is usually within a set of vertical cell guides and is normally enclosed by transverse stringers located above and below the container.

1.3.4  Container electrical power supply means the generated power supply which is dedicated to supplying the total number of refrigerated containers and the hold ventilation system fan motors.

1.3.5  Container plug-in point means an electrical socket located at each applicable container location on deck and each cell location below deck being in accordance with Annex L of ISO 1496-2 : 1996.

1.3.6  Design conditions means the lowest design internal container temperature and the design maximum hold space temperature.

1.3.7  Hold space means an enclosed space containing refrigerated containers. The containers are usually restrained within cell guides. For hatch coverless ships, hold space means the space below the hatch coamings.

1.3.8  Independent ventilation system means a ventilation system that is in no way connected to another ventilation system and there is no provision available to allow connection to another ventilation system.

1.3.9  Refrigerated container means a standard container with a self-contained refrigeration system, located within the outer dimensions of the container, which can be driven by electrical power fed from an external power supply. The refrigeration system may be either a 'clip-on' or an integral type of cooling unit.

1.3.10  Stack factor means the ratio of the actual heat flowing into the containers forming the stack, to the heat which would flow into the same containers if all their surfaces were completely exposed to the hold temperature.

1.3.11  Standard container means a forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) standard production container constructed in compliance with LR's Container Certification Scheme, or another recognised Container Certification Scheme in accordance with ISO 1492/2 requirements. The container may be of the normal or 'high-cube' type.

1.3.12  Stowage ratio means the proportion of deepfrozen cargo in relation to banana or chilled cargoes. Unless specifically stated, the stowage ratio will be deemed to be 50 per cent deep-frozen and 50 per cent chilled cargo.

1.3.13  Ventilation system means a forced ventilation arrangement using mechanical fans to supply and/or extract air from the hold space.