Cold storage buildings are designed to protect your frozen and refrigerated goods. If you’re constructing this type of building or structure on your own, you’ll soon learn that it is a complex process.
When designing your cold storage building in California, remember that paying attention to the details will save you energy, money, and keep your refrigerated and frozen goods safe. Read on to learn the dos and don’ts for your cold storage construction.
Gauge the Temperature, Humidity, and Air Flow
In cold storage construction, it’s essential to understand how heat and moisture are transferred through the cold storage envelope. When the warm air rises, this makes the cold air sink. Proper design will prevent the cold air from spilling out of the storage space making sure the food seal is tight and that there are intermediate temperature rooms to act as airlocks.
Understand the Temperature Needed
When constructing a cold storage room or building with FRP wall panels, it’s also important to thoroughly understand what temperature you are designing for. For example, designing for freezing temperatures is drastically different than designing for more moderate temperatures.
Special considerations need to be made if the temperature goes below freezing as it may cause issues around your freezer envelope. As ice freezes, it expands and can work as an insulator.
Consider Envelope and Insulation Terminations
Another best practice to consider is using insulated metal panels for your building envelope. This will provide continuous insulation throughout all transitions. To do this properly, thermal breaks must be priced around transitions through the roof insulation, wall, and the slab.
