Cold Storage Installation Guide
Installation quality decides how a cold-chain plant performs for 15 years. This guide covers site preparation, sequence of works, commissioning and handover so nothing is left implicit in the RFQ.
Sequence: civils → insulated envelope → refrigeration mechanical → electrical & controls → refrigerant charge → FAT/SAT → training & handover. Each stage has hold-points and acceptance criteria.
Site preparation
Floor slab tolerances (±3 mm/3 m), sub-floor heating for freezers, drainage, doors, dock levellers and MHE clearances.
Insulated envelope
PIR/PUR panels 100–200 mm, vapour seals, floor insulation with heater mats, high-speed doors and air curtains.
Refrigeration mechanical
Machine room layout, pipework isometrics, valve stations, evaporator placement, condensate management.
Electrical & controls
VFDs, EC fans, PLC/SCADA, IoT sensors, alarm hierarchy, integration with WMS/ERP and remote monitoring.
Refrigerant charge & commissioning
Pressure test, evacuation to <500 microns, refrigerant charge per IIAR / EN 378, controls tuning, load test.
FAT, SAT and handover
Factory Acceptance Test at OEM, Site Acceptance Test on completion, performance run at design load, O&M manuals, spares and training package.
Copy this checklist into your project workspace
- Floor slab tolerances verified
- Vapour seals continuous
- Doors & air curtains commissioned
- Pipework pressure-tested
- Evacuation to <500 microns
- Refrigerant charge per code
- PLC/SCADA logic tested
- Alarms end-to-end tested
- 24-hour load test at design
- O&M manuals delivered
- Operator training delivered
- Spares list handed over
Frequently asked questions
How long does installation take?
10–20 weeks for a mid-size cold storage warehouse (3,000–10,000 m³); 4–8 weeks for a modular cold room; 20–36 weeks for a large industrial ammonia plant.
Who is responsible for commissioning?
The refrigeration contractor, with the OEM supervising for large plants. Buyer's engineer signs FAT/SAT.