Cold Storage Design-Build — Turnkey EPC, Single Accountability
One EPC contract covering site work, envelope, refrigeration plant, racking, controls, commissioning and warranty. 15–25% faster than design-bid-build, tighter cost certainty and integrated envelope-refrigeration optimization for lower lifetime OPEX.
Why source with ColdMatch
Single EPC contract
One accountable partner from concept through commissioning — no interface disputes.
15–25% faster delivery
Parallel design and long-lead procurement; compressors and panels locked in Month 1–3.
GMP cost certainty
Guaranteed Maximum Price contracts with transparent open-book pricing on major items.
All refrigerants
NH3, CO2 transcritical, NH3/CO2 cascade, low-GWP HFC/HFO — matched to safety envelope and country codes.
Conventional & automated
Racked pallet, drive-in, VNA, mobile racking, ASRS and shuttle systems up to 40 m clear height.
Code-compliant everywhere
IIAR, ASHRAE, PED, EN 378, IBC seismic, FM Global, NFPA, local pharma and food codes.
Commissioning & training
Full Cx, operator training, SOPs, warranty and 12–36 mo PPM under the same contract.
Global EPC network
Design-builders with in-country reference projects across NA, EU, MENA, LATAM, APAC, Africa.
Typical specifications we source
- Facility scale
- 1,000 – 100,000+ m², 5,000 – 200,000+ pallet positions
- Temperature bands
- +15/+25°C CRT, +2/+8°C, -18°C, -25°C, -40°C, -80°C ULT
- Storage systems
- Racked pallet, drive-in, VNA, mobile racking, shuttle, ASRS
- Clear height
- 8 m conventional up to 40 m automated
- Contract model
- EPC turnkey, design-build GMP, EPCM
- Standards
- IIAR 2/6/9, ASHRAE 15, PED, EN 378, IBC, NFPA, FM Global, GDP
Frequently asked
What is cold storage design-build?+
A single-contract delivery model where one EPC (Engineering-Procurement-Construction) partner owns design, permitting, procurement, construction, refrigeration installation, racking, controls, commissioning and startup. Contrast with design-bid-build (separate architect, contractor and mechanical bids) which typically takes 15–25% longer and creates interface risk between parties.
When does design-build make sense?+
Almost always for greenfield cold storage. Design-build wins on schedule (parallel design + long-lead procurement), single-point accountability, tighter cost certainty via GMP contracts, and integrated envelope-refrigeration optimization. Design-bid-build only wins when a public procurement code mandates it or the owner has strong in-house engineering.
What does a cold storage design-build cost?+
Indicative ranges (turnkey, incl. refrigeration): US$ 2,200–3,200 / m² for +2/+8°C chilled, US$ 2,800–4,200 / m² for -25°C frozen, US$ 3,800–6,500 / m² for automated (ASRS) frozen, plus US$ 800–1,500 / m² for GDP pharma. Numbers scale with country, seismic zone, ceiling height, refrigerant, redundancy, energy standard and racking density.
Typical delivery timeline?+
50,000 sqft (~4,500 m²) conventional chilled facility: 12–18 months from GMP contract to first pallet. Automated deep-freeze DC: 20–30 months. ColdMatch structures the EPC brief so long-lead items (compressors, panels, ASRS cranes) are locked in Month 1–3.
What's in a good EPC scope?+
Site work, foundations, structural steel, envelope + insulation panels, doors, dock levellers, refrigeration plant (compressors, condensers, evaporators, controls), heat recovery, electrical, fire protection (dry pipe / gas suppression), racking, WMS integration, commissioning, IQ/OQ (for pharma), operator training, warranty and PPM contract.
How is refrigerant chosen?+
NH3 for large single-site facilities > 500 kW where a safety envelope is manageable. CO2 transcritical or CO2/NH3 cascade for medium sites and where NH3 exposure risk is unacceptable. Low-GWP HFC/HFO blends (R-449A, R-513A) for smaller facilities or refrigerant-restricted jurisdictions.
How does energy-efficient design change CAPEX?+
Passive envelope (thicker panels, low-infiltration doors, vapor barriers) + variable-speed compressors + floating condensing + LED + heat recovery typically adds 5–10% CAPEX and cuts 20–40% lifetime OPEX. Payback usually 3–6 years.
How does ColdMatch source design-build partners?+
We shortlist 3–5 EPC design-builders with proven references at your size and temperature band, structure a common technical brief, and return comparable GMP proposals covering CAPEX, schedule, kWh/m³·yr, warranty and lifecycle OPEX.
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