Insulation panels for cold storage chambers: a practical guide
The correct installation and maintenance of insulation panels in cold storage chambers ensures that the equipment is fully operational. In order to help professionals in that sector follow proper procedures, a technical guidance note was recently published, designed to prevent any problems or malfunctions.
This guide, presented below, refers to cold storage chambers and insulated refrigeration warehouses, constructed inside a building with panels on the ceiling, supported by the structure itself, normally using support poles suspended from a portal frame or a truss already present in the building.
Tips on the installation of thermal panels for cold storage chambers
The installation of insulation panels in cold storage chambers is definitely the most delicate phase. Considering that these components risk being subjected to greater stress when positioned near stairs, entrances or passage ways (which is very frequent), in order to obtain reliable and safe results, the entire project must be managed with the greatest attention to detail.
As, generally, the fitted edges are the most vulnerable part of the ceiling, one of the main points to remember during the positioning phase is to ensure that they are sufficiently protected, as outlined in Regulation BS EN 13374-2013.
Another issue which may compromise the integrity of the panels is steam, which requires the insertion of a thermal barrier able to provide sufficient insulation. Underestimating this extremely important step can reduce the lifespan not only of the panels themselves, but also of the entire cold storage warehouse.
Consequently, it is important to remember that the weight of the barrier itself is significant and must be taken into consideration when calculating the ceiling’s load capacity (which is therefore reduced in the areas where the barrier is installed). If the values are too close to the maximum permitted load as certified by the builder, an extra support can be inserted so as to avoid breaks and structural failures.
Should it be necessary to make holes in the panel to allow for the passage of refrigeration pipes or other equipment, such as that related to lighting, sprinklers or electrical equipment, the openings should always be carefully sealed afterwards.
Tips for effective maintenance
The Regulation known as the Health and Safety Executive Safety Alert CON 4-2010 emphasises the fact that ceilings must be considered fragile unless proven otherwise and that insulation panels for cold storage chambers cannot be used as a work platform, except if the supports in question are declared suitable for that use by an appropriately qualified person (such as a structural engineer).
The condition of the ceilings in cold storage chambers must be inspected regularly in order to identify any deterioration and plan appropriate maintenance work. The panels must be examined one by one, so that any signs of wear caused by the water or the possible detachment of the metallic covering from the internal material can be located. Taking samples from inside the panels and carrying out thermographic inspections can help to assess the seriousness of the infiltrations.
In addition, it is important to consider that composite insulation panels draw most of their resistance from the correct adhesion of the steel laminates (upper and lower) to the internal insulation. When so-called ‘delamination’ occurs, their integrity can be irreversibly compromised, with grave consequences on their performance and thermal insulation ability.
If a low temperature storage chamber switches off and starts to become warmer due to a fault with the equipment or a change in its use, an inspection to establish the condition of the ceiling panels is necessary before the temperature starts to rise.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith