Cold Storage Design
Cold Storage Design
(OP)
I'm verifiyng if it is possible to install a cold storage room inside an existing warehouse over an existing 6" slab. The room is to operate at 2 C / 35.6 F. The cold room provided says that no demolition of the slab is required but I think there is going to be some heaving or swelling in the slab so I will need to install some type of heating system to the slab. Is there a "treshhold" temperature below which heaving will occur (0 C)? Or in this case the temperature is not that low so no heaving could be expected?
Thanks!
Thanks!






RE: Cold Storage Design
Just a few questions:
Do you have a wearing slab on insulation? What is the thickness of both?
Are you in a high humidity area?
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
RE: Cold Storage Design
On the humidity, the area is a warehouse that has a 70% RH at least. But normally the area or geographical area the warehouse is very humid.
Thanks for the information!
RE: Cold Storage Design
RE: Cold Storage Design
Also, I don't know how you could properly seal the base of the cooler wall at the slab. Normally, the cooler wall needs to seal to the underslab insulation. I suggest a 4' width of perimeter underslab insulation in the cooler.
RE: Cold Storage Design
RE: Cold Storage Design
As spats points out, normally, the insulated walls are connected to the underslab insulation. Also, it is unlikely that the vapor barrier below the existing slab was place and sealed correctly to prevent vapor transmission inside the cold storage building.
It will be difficult, and over the long run expensive, to keep the inside of the building cold if the slab is continous from outside of the enclosure to the inside.
Vapor barriers and insulation in cold starage buildings is a whole subject unto itself.
RE: Cold Storage Design
As the others have quite rightly mentioned the cold room detail you are suggesting will have some issues with losses, and surrounding slabs, however this has been done before. @2deg I personally would be suggesting an insulated floor on top of the existing floor just because of losses through the ground and slab.
When in doubt, just take the next small step.