A strip curtain physically covers part of an open doorway. That does not mean it gives the same result in every refrigerated body. Assess its value with the doorway, strip material and overlap, loading method, ambient conditions and the time the door stays open.
Model and material compatibility
Verify the material's temperature range and door-system compatibility from its documentation. Measure clear width and height; photograph closure at the sides, bottom and between strips. Check interference with seals, tracks and mounting points, and whether strips settle back after a load passes.
Shaver's truck-curtain page lists standard and low-temperature PVC separately. Mounting examples include above-opening, inside-opening, around-door-track and sliding arrangements. Sliding requires space at one side. The quote therefore needs to show installation space as well as strip dimensions.
Opening, overlap and passage
| Check | Information to inspect | Decision effect |
|---|---|---|
| Doorway | Clear width/height and narrowest load passage | Strip length and arrangement |
| Overlap | Visible line or side gap between strips | Continuity of the barrier |
| Loading path | Pallet, trolley and forklift turns | Visibility and manoeuvring |
| Door use | Opening/closing times and open duration | Actual exposure duration |
If strips reduce the forklift operator's view of the load or the passage, do not treat the installation as acceptable without a safety and workflow review. Record curling, snagging and rubbing against the load during the initial fit check. Shortening strips at random to improve visibility can change the intended doorway coverage.
Airflow and unit clearance. The Thermo King Precedent manual treats preconditioned cargo, cargo checks, evaporator clearance and airflow separately (manual, pp. 125-129). A curtain or mounting part must not block return air, unit clearance or the airflow path around the load; the required clearance is confirmed against the body and unit installation drawing.
Cleaning, damage and service
Include the strips themselves and contacted surfaces in a suitable cleaning plan. Check dirt, tears, stiffening, loose fasteners and damaged holders. Cleaning must suit the material, while access to the door, seals and service points remains clear. Compare a replacement strip's material and mounting compatibility as well as its width with the original arrangement.
Comparison record
| Record | Conditions to match | Outcome to observe |
|---|---|---|
| Door event | Route, stop, load and task sequence | Duration of each opening and total open time |
| Temperature | Starting product condition, ambient, same method/location | Temperature trace against the product's accepted band |
| Refrigeration unit | Model, setpoint, mode and airflow path | Unit record; energy if separately metered |
| Passage and maintenance | Equipment, load dimensions and cleaning method | Visibility, snagging, task time and damage |
One day does not represent every route. Note differences in load, ambient conditions and door duration when comparing before and after, and repeat under appropriate conditions. Choose adequate time resolution for brief openings: rounding to minutes can hide events lasting seconds. Faster air-temperature recovery alone proves neither product compliance throughout the load nor fuel savings.
Use the refrigerated-body doorway and loading guide for clearance and airflow checks alongside the multi-stop distribution temperature-record guide. A curtain can be an option after model and fit checks; if measurement, visibility, cleaning or airflow conditions fail, it is not the solution.
