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
of 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.
The factors that need to
be determined are the quantities of air supplied to and exhausted
from the ro-ro cargo spaces and the circulation of air within the
vehicle deck. Guidelines for suitable testing are contained in Appendix 2.
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.