Keeping it Cool! Efficient and Safe Cold Storage Solutions in the Racking Industry.
4 October 2018
A racking system can improve your cool room or freezer operations and keep costs down but to ensure your cool room operates effectively there are a number of factors to consider.
Cool rooms and freezers are used to store produce, pharmaceuticals and other goods which need to be temperature controlled. A high-density storage system will help reduce energy costs, but to ensure you get the most out of your investment you should carefully consider the type of racking you choose to install, how it is installed, and whether or not you need extra racking protection.
Racking and Protection
The cost to keep a cool room running is typically greater than that of a warehouse so you will want to maximise your storage capacity. Double deep pallet racking and drive in pallet racking are both high-density storage systems ideal for use in cool rooms and freezers.
Cold temperatures may increase fatigue and affect an individual’s ability to work safely. Working in these conditions could mean the racking system is likely to take a lot more damage due to the reduced concentration of workers. This means it is important to consider additional protection for a racking system installed in a cool room or freezer. APC's range of rack protection is constructed in different styles from high-quality materials that have been thoroughly tested to span a wide temperature range, get in touch to find out which protection is most suited to your needs.
Powder Coated or Galvanised
Steel is durable but like any material, it can succumb to moisture and corrosion. To prevent damage from compromising the structures integrity, manufacturers typically apply a galvanised or powder coating to the material during production.
Powder coating is an organic process involving barrier-layer protection. Powder coated steel is affordable, can be painted and can resist corrosion, abrasion and chemicals – but only to a certain extent.
Galvanised steel undergoes a chemical process to make it corrosion resistant. This form of protection is suitable for steel exposed to harsh chemicals and acid; such as salt in the environment, if near a coastal location. Additionally, galvanised steel is ideal for fluctuating temperatures (hot and cold) and cool rooms where there is lots of condensation.
Our experts are able to advise you on whether a galvanised or powder coated finish is best for your cool room or freezer.
Airflow
For a cool room to operate effectively, air must be able to circulate. Blocking airflow can lead to warm areas developing. This is a factor which will need to be considered when installing racking. A clear airspace of 25cm or more should be left between the fan unit and top of stacked pallets. Additionally, pallets should never be stacked against the cool room wall. It is recommended to leave a gap of at least 10cm for air to circulate.
Racking Inspections
The dark nature of freezers make it hard to identify damaged racking, allowing it to go unnoticed for long periods of time, endangering any staff operating in the storage area. To minimise this potential harm, the Australian Standard for Steel Storage (AS4084:2012) recommends an annual inspection to evaluate the condition of your system and identify any damaged components that need replacing.
Our racking inspections consist of a site visit by a fully trained and certified APC ‘racking inspector’. The inspector will undertake a visual inspection of your racking, provide feedback showing the existing damage, potential risks and can create a plan of action to ensure the safety of your staff.
APC can identify opportunities in your cold room or freezer to improve the efficiency and performance of your operations. Safety, process flow, storage use, automation opportunities and industry benchmarking are all factors we consider when designing an implementing your customised storage solution.