Cold storage/freezer buildings

[MonsieurR]

Hello everybody,

What's a good reference on cold storage/freezer buildings?
Particularly regarding the detailing of thermal bridges and general technology available for energy efficiency.

Kind regards.

 

[dhengr]

MonsieurR:
I’ve been involved with a number of these over the years, both for original design and on litigation matters after the bldg. was put into service. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a text book which really covers the subject. But, I have seen 2 or 3 story high, by 2 or 3’ dia. icicles hanging off the outside of the bldg. at panel joints, etc. The insulation envelop completely encloses the structural framing system, except at penetrations through it; roof and walls are few, but foundations and column bases are a big issue. The special details are mostly freezer bldg. industry stds. Google freezer warehouse assoc. groups and the suppliers of insulated wall and roof panels, and of the specialty insulation items which go along with this kind of construction, they will have many of their own std. products and details for you to review and pick from. You do have to insulate under the floor slab and you will also, more than likely, install a ventilation system under the slab to prevent the foundation soils from freezing. The insulated panels are often 6 or 8’ wide, and 20 – 30’ high, and they are very rigid, in plane, as shear panels. The seals (gaskets, keyed joints, etc.) btwn. the panels and the attachment systems btwn. the panels must work properly for the whole bldg. to function properly. Thus, your bldg. drift should be minimized and your attachment details btwn. the framing and the insul. panels should tolerate some differential (lateral) movement but still transmit lateral loads, from the panels to the framing. If the bldg. framing is too loose, the panels well tend to try to take the lateral load, in plane, they will try to parallelogram on their corners as they move, and walk all over the place on the foundation. Lateral loads perpendicular to the panels is generally not a problem, they can be designed for that.

 

[gerhardl]

Easiest and normal way, step by step and using details controlled before start.

My advice is to start with the general description of use (movable or firm reols) load on floor pr. unit, weight per unit of trucks and other vehicles, doors, machine room, distribution of energy, layout, transport ways, loading details, necessary height etc.

Also: frequency of door opening, area for extra front room as air lock, protected loading bays etc.

A normal miss in planning an industrial building is to present necessary details for practical use to late in the planning process.

The building deatails and isolation in itself are more easy to get correct. As said above: sandwich frames used as recomended by suppliers, or other form of isolation also as recommended by suppliers. The building could be a standard hall construction with groundwork and detailed isolation suited for the selected isolation material and and load on top. for the floor. Do not forget foundation for racks and/or rails for moveable racks.

(Excuse me for stating the obvious, but too many forget the neceessary steps for getting a good end result...)

 

[dik]

Circulate the waste heat from your freezing process under the floor slab insulation to prevent the ground beneath freezing.

Dik