A plate of the same size and melting point steps straight in for a missing set, so the second set in the freezer or a neighbouring branch is checked first. If none turns up, three routes remain: delay the trip, split the order or go out with dry ice.
GEBHARDT states that the Isotec TBX can use dry ice or CO2 instead of eutectic plates. Dry ice brings its own rules: under ADR 5.5.3 the vehicle must be well ventilated; in an insulated body separated from the cab ventilation is not required, but a warning mark is. Unpackaged dry ice must not touch metal surfaces closer than 30 mm.
Ice bags and frozen water bottles do not do the job: ice melts at 0 °C, cannot hold a frozen-goods regime and leaves water in the container. Going out short may be acceptable on a short, cool route; in midsummer on a multi-stop round it turns into product loss at the last stops. The decision compares the plates left with the route duration.
