Refrigerator transportation regulations and standards

Have you thought about the transportation of refrigeration equipment because of the purchase of the new device or moving to another location? Agree, that it is foolish to lose a new expensive home appliance or a fully functioning old one because of a violation of the transportation rules. You want the fridge to remain safe and sound after the move, but you don’t know how to properly place it in the truck and you doubt whether it is possible to transport the refrigerator lying down?

We will help you to dispel any doubts because the article discusses the main ways of placing refrigeration equipment during its transportation. Also, the proper pre-moving check of the unit and the problems that may be encountered in violation of the transportation rules are mentioned.

The important role of the correct positioning

Refrigeration equipment of different brands works on a similar principle. The cooling system is a closed loop consisting of many thin tubes. It is conventionally divided into two parts: the evaporator, located inside, and the condenser mounted on the outer back wall. Basically, these components are implemented in the form of a coil, contributing to the effective absorption and release of heat.

The working system of the refrigerator is filled with coolant, which continuously moves through the tubes, alternately changing its state of aggregation. The cooling cycles occur in the same way:

• the gaseous refrigerant is pumped out of the evaporator and enters the compressor;
• the substance is compressed and sent to a condenser under high pressure;
• during condensation, the coolant turns into liquid and cools, giving off heat to the environment;
• the liquid passes through the filter-drier and is directed towards the evaporator, entering it through a narrowed capillary tube;
• refrigerant pressure drops, causing it to boil;
• evaporating into the gas, the coolant absorbs heat from the internal fridge rooms, uniformly cooling the space.

Further, the freon vapors are pumped out again and the cycle repeats. The role of the main functional element in the process belongs to the compressor. It pumps the refrigerant, creates the necessary pressure in each part of the system and is responsible for the uninterrupted transfer of heat from the inside of the device to the outside. The stable and quiet operation of the motor is maintained by hanging on the frame and immersing in oil.

Any damage to the pipe system, the compressor displacement or breakaway from the mount leads to major damage needs a complex repair. It’s very easy to disrupt the normal operation of the cooling system while transporting the unit. That is why it is necessary to approach this issue with the utmost responsibility.

An overview of the possible transportation options

Regardless of the size of a particular model, experts strongly recommend transporting any refrigerator in a cargo vehicle, placing it vertically. Nevertheless, the cases when it is impossible to move the appliance in this way due to the limited internal space of the truck are not excluded. In fact, there are three methods of placement: vertically, at an angle and horizontally.

Option # 1 – Upright position during transport

Transporting the fridge in a vertical position is the most appropriate option, recommended by all manufacturers in the technical documentation that comes with the equipment. It ensures the safety of the internal components of the appliance and their normal operation in the future.

Option # 2 — Tilted transportation

Not being able to use a high van, it is difficult to transport refrigerators with a length of more than 1.75 meters in a vertical position. If the device does not full-length fit in the cabin, at an angle positioning is allowed. The tilt angle should not exceed 40 degrees.

Option # 3 — Horizontal placement 

Majority of experts give ambiguous answers to the question whether it is possible to place the refrigerator in the truck in horizontal position. The manuals of the vast majority of refrigeration equipment manufacturers indicate that this can not be done since there is a high probability of damage.