Insulated panels in cold stores and warehouses
A cold store and an adjacent warehouse may have a similar façade of insulated panels, even though their envelopes perform under different conditions. When selecting the wall, record the temperatures on both sides, how the rooms are used and how often the doors are opened. Also look at the places where warm, moist air can penetrate into the colder zone. This information allows the designer to assess the insulation and to plan airtight connections to the floor, ceiling and door frame. In the purchasing schedule, distinguish between panels for internal partitions and elements exposed to precipitation.
What does the way the room is used change?
Record whether goods are delivered in a single drop or whether the doors remain frequently open while orders are being picked. Include the washing of the floor and walls and the type of cleaning agents used. These conditions matter when selecting the coating on the room side and the finish of the plinth. Mark the forklift traffic zones on the plan. Where there is a risk of impact, allowing for suitable mechanical protection can help maintain the tightness of the cladding during use.
How to compare cores and panel thicknesses?
Ask for the U-value for the panel and thickness under consideration. When comparing EPS, PIR and mineral wool cores, also take into account the permitted application, the weight of the element and the fire protection requirements for the given partition. The required thickness is not determined by the name “cold store” alone. A wall between two cold chambers may have different assumptions from a boundary with a heated warehouse. A schedule of partitions with a description of the adjoining rooms makes it easier to check which location a given proposal refers to.
Where to check tightness at handover?
Follow one continuous line from the wall-to-floor connection through the panel joint to the ceiling or roof. Repeat this at doors and service penetrations. Each of these elements requires a detail intended for the complete system. Ask for documentation of the places covered during installation and for the cleaning rules for the finished surface. If moisture appears after the chamber is put into operation, note the location and the operating conditions. The stain alone does not determine whether the cause is a leaking joint, air ingress at the doors or a water source on the user side.
