ISO 1496-2:2008

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 1496-2
Fifth edition
2008-07-15
Series 1 freight containers —
Specification and testing —
Part 2:
Thermal containers
Conteneurs de la série 1 — Spécifications et essais —
Partie 2: Conteneurs à caractéristiques thermiques

Reference number
©
ISO 2008
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©  ISO 2008
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ii © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 1
4 Classification. 3
5 Marking . 3
6 Dimensions and ratings . 3
7 Design requirements . 5
8 Testing . 9
9 Electrical aspects of thermal containers. 24
Annex A (normative) Diagrammatic representation of capabilities appropriate to all types and
sizes of thermal containers, except where otherwise stated. 27
Annex B (normative) Details of requirements for load-transfer areas in base structures of
containers. 33
Annex C (normative) Dimensions of fork-lift pockets (where provided). 40
Annex D (normative) Dimensions of gooseneck tunnels (where provided) . 42
Annex E (normative) Cooling water connections . 43
Annex F (normative) Air inlets and outlets. 46
Annex G (normative) Mounting of clip-on units. 51
Annex H (normative) Air temperature measurement points. 54
Annex I (normative) Steady-state conditions for heat leakage test (Test No. 14) . 56
Annex J (normative) Phase connections to container plugs and sockets . 57
Annex K (normative) Electric plug and socket, four-pin, 380/440 V, 50/60 Hz, 32 A . 58
Annex L (normative) Electrical power supplies for thermal containers (9.2) . 62
Annex M (normative) General requirements for 220 volt and dual voltage equipment . 63
Annex N (informative) Conversion of SI units to non-SI units. 64
Bibliography . 65

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 1496-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 104, Freight containers, Subcommittee SC 2,
Specific purpose containers.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (1996) which has been technically revised. It also
incorporates the Amendment ISO 1496-2:1996/Amd. 1:2006 and the Technical Corrigendum
ISO 1496-2:1996/Cor. 1:1997. The main changes are:
⎯ ISO 1496-2:1996/Amd. 1:2006 has been incorporated;
⎯ 1EE and 1EEE containers have been added to Table 1;
⎯ ventilation control and humidity control have been added as 7.9.9 and 7.9.10;
⎯ a new test, 8.17 Test No. 15 b) Functional test of a thermal container at high ambient temperatures while
being cooled by a mechanical refrigeration unit (MRU), has been added and the following tests have been
renumbered;
⎯ in 8.14.3, the air leakage rate requirement has been revised to not exceed 5 m /h;
⎯ clarification has been given in 8.16.1.1, 8.16.2.1, 8.12.1 and in a note to 9.4;
⎯ the requirements given in Table 4 have been corrected.
The opportunity was also taken for an editorial revision to update the style.
ISO 1496 consists of the following parts, under the general title Series 1 freight containers — Specification
and testing:
⎯ Part 1: General cargo containers for general purposes
⎯ Part 2: Thermal containers
⎯ Part 3: Tank containers for liquids, gases and pressurized dry bulk
⎯ Part 4: Non-pressurized containers for dry bulk
⎯ Part 5: Platform and platform-based containers
iv © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Introduction
The following grouping of container types is used for specification purposes in ISO 1496:
Part 1
General purpose 00 to 09
Specific purpose
closed, vented/ventilated 10 to 19
open top 50 to 59
Part 2
Thermal 30 to 49
Part 3
Tank 70 to 79
Bulk, pressurized 85 to 89
Part 4
Bulk, non-pressurized (box type) 20 to 24
Bulk, non-pressurized (hopper type) 80 to 84
Part 5
Platform (container) 60
Platform-based, with incomplete superstructure
and fixed ends 61 and 62
Platform-based, with incomplete superstructure
and folding ends 63 and 64
Platform-based, with complete superstructure 65 to 69
NOTE Container groupings for parts 1 and 3 to 5 inclusive are described in detail in the relevant parts of ISO 1496.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 1496-2:2008(E)

Series 1 freight containers — Specification and testing —
Part 2:
Thermal containers
1 Scope
This part of ISO 1496 gives the basic specifications and testing requirements for ISO series 1 thermal
containers for international exchange and for conveyance of goods by road, rail and sea, including
interchange between these forms of transport.
NOTE For the convenience of users of this part of ISO 1496, the conversion of values expressed in SI units to values
expressed in non-SI units is given in Annex N.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 668:1995, Series 1 freight containers — Classification, dimensions and ratings
ISO 830:1981, Freight containers — Vocabulary
ISO 1161:1984, Series 1 freight containers — Corner fittings — Specification
ISO 6346:1995, Freight containers — Coding, identification and marking
ISO 10368:2006, Freight thermal containers — Remote condition monitoring
IEC 60947-1, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear — Part 1: General rules
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the general terms and definitions given in ISO 830 and the following apply.
3.1
thermal container
freight container having insulating walls, doors, floor and roof designed to retard the rate of heat transmission
between the inside and the outside of the container
3.2
insulated container
thermal container having no devices for cooling and/or heating, either permanently installed or attached
3.3
refrigerated container (expendable refrigerant)
thermal container using a means of cooling such as liquefied gases, with or without evaporation control
NOTE It is implicit in this definition that such a container requires no external power or fuel supply.
3.4
mechanically refrigerated container
thermal container served by a refrigerating appliance (mechanical compressor unit, absorption unit, etc.)
3.5
heated container
thermal container served by a heat-producing appliance
3.6
refrigerated and heated container
thermal container served by a refrigerating appliance (mechanical or using expendable refrigerant) and a
heat-producing appliance
3.7
refrigerated and heated container with controlled or modified atmosphere
thermal container served by a refrigerating and heat-producing appliance, initially loaded with a modified
atmosphere and/or capable of generating and/or maintaining a modified atmosphere
3.8
removable equipment
refrigerating and/or heating appliance, power-generating unit or other equipment designed to be attached or
detached from a freight container
3.9
located internally
totally within the external dimensional envelope of the freight container as defined in ISO 668
3.10
located externally
partially or totally outside the external dimensional envelope of the container as defined in ISO 668
NOTE It is implicit in this definition that an appliance located externally has to be removable or retractable to facilitate
transport in certain modes.
3.11
batten
member protruding from the inside walls of the container to hold the cargo away from the wall to provide an air
passage
NOTE The member may be integral with the wall, fastened to the wall or added during cargo loading.
3.12
bulkhead
partition providing a plenum chamber and/or air passage for either return or supply air
NOTE The partition may be an integral part of the appliance or a separate member.
3.13
ceiling air duct
passage or passages located in proximity to the ceiling to direct air flow
3.14
floor air duct
passage or passages located beneath the cargo support surface to direct air flow
2 © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

3.15
pin mounting
mounting system using two vertical pins engaging mating sockets built into the top end transverse member
such that the entire mass of the removable equipment is supported by the top end transverse member
3.16
lower mounting points
threaded receptacles to which the lower two corners of the removable equipment are fastened
4 Classification
The container types covered by this part of ISO 1496 are classified as shown in Table 1, in which the
maximum allowable heat-leakage rates are specified.
A conversion table for kelvins to degrees Celsius is given for convenience in Table 2.
5 Marking
The marking of thermal containers shall be in accordance with ISO 6346.
In addition, thermal containers intended to carry hanging cargo and thermal containers given a modified
atmosphere shall be marked in accordance with 7.9.7 and 7.9.8.
6 Dimensions and ratings
6.1 External dimensions
The overall external dimensions and tolerances of the freight containers covered by this part of ISO 1496 shall
be in accordance with ISO 668. No part of the container shall project beyond these specified overall external
dimensions.
6.2 Internal dimensions
Internal dimensions of thermal container
...