COLD STORES
is maintained. Most pharmaceutical coldrooms will have a 100% backup system – in other words, two identical refrigeration systems, one working and one on standby.
Temperature control will be critical in every application, of course. The way a coldroom is constructed will impact on its ability to hold temperature. The best solution is camlock construction, where the coldroom’s panels are fully camlocked. wall to wall, wall to ceiling and wall to fl oor. They are securely foamed into tongue and groove joints for a tight-locking, stable structure, eliminating the risk of ice build-up in joints and ensuring the integrity of the thermal envelope. Thermal imaging can be used after construction to show its eff ectiveness – this is useful when seeking BREEAM accreditation.
A modular design based on panels of varying sizes gives coldrooms another level of fl exibility, because it allows the designer to create a bespoke room that precisely matches not only the requirements of the site but also the physical space available. Obviously this can be especially benefi cial in applications where space is at a premium, such as in hospitality.
In recent years foodservice kitchens have been getting smaller, as operators look to increase the number of diners they can accommodate. The pandemic has only driven this trend harder, because businesses are having to consider ways to increase productivity while reducing running costs. Often this results in them increasing the dining area at the expense of the kitchen. Of course, the paradox is that the smaller kitchen is expected to service more customers. The FEA (Foodservice Equipment Association) calls this the 20:20 vision – where operators are typically looking to get 20% more production from 20% less kitchen. The bespoke coldroom provides a solution, because it can be designed to match whatever is available. Plus, as it’s constructed in situ, there are fewer access problems, since it can be brought inside one panel at a time. The fl exibility of coldroom design extends to a host of features and options. Refrigeration systems can be mounted on top of the room or at the side, or they can be sited remotely, for example on the building’s roof. Doors can be standard or sliding. Floors can be constructed from a range of materials. The walls can have windows fi tted, for easy stock checking. In some restaurants, coldrooms have been moved from back of house to front: we supplied a steakhouse with a coldroom that was sited right in the middle of the restaurant. Its large windows meant that customers could see the meat that was hanging inside. We clad the rest of the coldroom’s
exterior in a rusted metal coating, to match the restaurant’s chic industrial décor.
In putting hygiene at the top of the agenda, the pandemic has led to some clever innovations in all sorts of areas, including coldrooms. One that we’re particularly proud of is the foot- operated coldroom door opener. It’s a simple idea: instead of opening the coldroom by hand, you simply step on a lever down at fl oor level. The system off ers two very signifi cant benefi ts. First and foremost, by reducing touch points it helps to meet the heightened hygiene standards that are an important part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Secondly, the hands-free access is a very useful ‘quality of life’ upgrade for the kitchen brigade, making it easy for staff to bring product into the coldroom without having to juggle what they’re carrying while opening the door. Another bonus of the foot-operated door opener is that it can be retro-fi tted to existing coldrooms.
Of course, if there’s no room inside for a coldroom, another option is to build it outside – for example, in a back yard or the corner of a carpark. The weatherproof coldroom has applications in lots of diff erent industries, not just hospitality. We’ve even supplied outdoor versions as game larders in deer parks. They can be sited anywhere, provided there’s access to a power supply. In an emergency, such as at the height of the pandemic, this versatility can be mission critical.
Download the ACR News app today
The pandemic has pushed climate change back up the agenda, as people everywhere have had time to consider our impact on the planet. Sustainable features to think about for coldrooms include: High density polyurethane insulation with low GWP and ODP
LED lighting Self-closing doors Low energy evaporators with EC fans Low energy condensing units Strip curtains – as well as reducing running costs they can cut noise levels, too.
Key considerations with any successful coldroom installation are the knowledge, experience and skill of the project team carrying out the work. It’s not just a matter of the coldroom itself – for example, our teams have been involved in schemes that called for the coldrooms to be connected to water-cooled condensing systems and to glycol systems. On another site, a CPU (central production unit) used a pioneering energy-saving system that recycles waste heat from the coldrooms and uses it to heat up the hot water supply. Williams Refrigeration offers a comprehensive range of commercial refrigeration including gastronorm cabinets and counters, specialist bakery equipment, coldrooms, merchandisers and blast chillers.
www.acr-news.com • July 2021 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
