ATP
ATP Certification
Cross border operations require ATP certified equipment. Some time ago this was issued in the form of a paper certificate, which had to accompany the trailer on all journeys outside the UK. Certificate loss or misunderstanding could cause delays and in extreme cases refusal of passage in countries abroad. TUK established that there was a provision in the ATP legislation for the certification to be carried in the form of a metal plate attached to the vehicle or trailer .Through Transfrigoroute International , TUK was successful in persuading our trading partners of the convenience and legality of this change, creating a major beneficial change to the daily lives of transport managers in our member companies, as well as across the industry as a whole.
In the UK we are striving for the implementation of ATP for transportation within the UK. Whilst the vast majority of temperature controlled vehicles are manufactured to ATP standards, Transfrigoroute feel they should be tested to conform with the regulation, thereby ensuring the standards for the end user/operator. One area of specific concern are Insulated Panel Vans, many of which are constructed to very dubious quality and Transfrigoroute want to see all panel vans subjected to ATP testing to ensure they offer the correct standard of insulation, refrigeration and subsequent performance.
What is ATP ?
ATP is a standard set for determining the performance of temperature controlled vehicles and bodywork. I sets performance standards for the bodywork and refrigeration units.
Who Needs ATP ?
At present any vehicle carrying temperature sensitive or perishable products which operates across EU borders must be in possession of an ATP. Other EU countries also apply the ATP rules to their home market in order to ensure standards are achieved and maintained
What are the Standards?
There are several categories of ATP covering chilled through to deep frozen, in fact from +12C to -20C . These are devided into currently six categories (A to F) with a seventh (G) to cover multitemp vehicles currently under review. The most popular are class A for chill product between +12c and 0C and class C for +12C to -20C
How do you know if your bodies meets. ATP ?
Only if your bodywork is supplied with a certificate or plate, showing it has been submitted to a detailed test, can you be certain it meets the ATP standard. All too often manufacturers quote as building to ATP standards but fail to offer their product for test in order to prove that their products actually can achieve ATP standards.
What are the Tests ?
ATP testing is carried out by independent test stations located throughout Europe. In the UK the test centres are located at Cambridge , County Durham and North Humberside.
Bodywork is put in a temperature controlled ambient environment equivalent to +30C. It is then fitted with temperature sensors, located at specific positions both inside an outside of the body, and the test carried out to measure the heat gain of the box. These temperature measurements are then expressed in the form of a “K factor”, being the number of watts per square meter per C. The lower the number the more thermally efficient the bodywork. For ATP the K factor for chilled bodywork is 0.70W/m²/ºC and for Frozen 0.40W/m²/ºC It is vital the test is carried out on the completed body and not just on the insulation material in order that all doors, seals, joints etc are taken into consideration. Where bodybuilders produce volumes of bodies they can submit their bodywork to a more substantive test and apply for “series type approval” which will enable them to produce a number of bodies to the same specification. These are given a series number which can be used to supply an ATP plate or certificate. Bodybuilders who use series type approval need to submit bodywork to regular checks.
Why should I have ATP Certified bodywork when I don’t take my vehicles abroad ?
Quite simply it is your guarantee that your vehicle is built to and performs to the high standards imposed by the ATP system. It is you customers guarantee that you are taking every precaution to ensure the products you carry are carried in the best possible conditions and that you are being duly diligent in your approach to the transportation of perishable products.
How much does it cost?
If you buy your bodies from a reputable bodybuilder then the short answer is NOTHING.
The body builder will have series type approval and will pay the nominal cost of registering the ATP certificate. If you specify other bodywork then it could cost £1500 per body.
How long is an ATP certificate valid?
Six years, and the classification of ATP (A,toG) and the expiry date should be put either on the ATP body plate or in approved lettering on the front of the body.
This is a brief explanation of what is a very important matter. For in depth details either contact Alan Lines on 07802 690858 or refer to the United Nations website which covers ATP in great detail.
For more information on ATP standards and Testing please contact us
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