Standard for Mechanical Transport Refrigeration Units

ARI Standard 1110: Standard for Mechanical Transport Refrigeration Units

For engineers and designers in the critical field of refrigerated transport, ensuring the precise control of temperature for perishable goods is paramount. ARI Standard 1110, the "Standard for Mechanical Transport Refrigeration Units," provides the essential framework for achieving this. This industry-leading document establishes standardized methodologies for testing and rating mechanical refrigeration systems used in transporting temperature-sensitive cargo, thereby fostering consistency, reliability, and predictable performance across the sector.

What is ARI Standard 1110?

ARI Standard 1110, developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), is an authoritative engineering document that defines the testing procedures, rating criteria, and performance specifications for mechanical refrigeration units designed for vehicles. Its primary purpose is to ensure that manufacturers can accurately represent the cooling capacity and operational performance of their units, providing a common language and benchmark for designers, specifiers, and end-users.

Scope & Purpose

This comprehensive standard governs the testing and rating of encased, direct-expansion vapor compression-type mechanical transport refrigeration units. This includes systems employing compressors, air-cooled condensers, refrigerant flow controls, and forced-circulation air-coolers, as well as their associated prime movers and power trains. The standard specifically addresses units intended for the transportation of perishable goods and outlines methods for determining cooling capacity under various conditions, including high-temperature and low-temperature service. It does not cover self-contained units or systems not utilizing forced circulation.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Refrigeration Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Product Test Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, and Field Service Technicians involved in the design, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance of transport refrigeration systems.
• • Industries affected: Refrigerated Transport, Logistics, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, and HVAC&R Manufacturing.
• • Compliance nature: While historically part of voluntary certification programs, adherence to such standards is often a de facto requirement for market competitiveness and customer specification.
• • Enforcement: Compliance verification was typically managed through ARI's certification program, which involved independent testing and auditing.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires manufacturers to adhere to specific testing protocols to verify the performance of their refrigeration units. Professionals must ensure that published ratings accurately reflect the unit's cooling capacity under defined operating conditions. Key provisions include standardized methods for calculating both high and low-temperature cooling capacities, as well as electric standby capacities. The standard also mandates clear marking and nameplate data to communicate essential performance information to users and dictates conformance conditions for units seeking to be rated under its provisions.

Related Standards & References

ARI Standard 1110 often works in conjunction with other industry benchmarks. For instance, ASHRAE's terminology standards provide foundational definitions. Furthermore, standards related to electrical safety and specific refrigerant handling practices would complement the operational and performance aspects covered within ARI 1110, ensuring a holistic approach to the design and deployment of transport refrigeration systems.

Note: ARI Standard 1110-2001 has been superseded by newer standards from AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute), the successor organization to ARI. However, its principles and methodologies remain foundational for understanding the historical context and evolution of transport refrigeration standards.