Cold Store Racking
Cold racking system also need to plan properly in cold store system. Here we introduce a few key points in plan storage racking systems for cold store
1. Increase storage efficiency of cold store.
The construction cost of cold store is huge, thus you should first consider increase storage capacity and space usage. In the same volume and area, choose racking system with high storage density and turnover rate like double deep pallet racking, narrow aisle racking, drive in racking, push back racking, gravity racking and shuttle racking.
To make maximum use of warehouse, the function area like pick area, pack area should e put outside the warehouse, but if there is space in cold store, we can also place them in the cold store. In this case we can use the height space of warehouse, which separate the function area and storage area. This also avoid forklift drive through cold store time and times again. Which can increase operation efficiency and decrease cold store energy loss.
2. Design of cold air movement in cold store
Besides increase storage capacity, we should also consider the turnover of warehouse. The cargo description(kind, size, single weight, quantity, warranty time, packing size) is also very important for choosing racking systems. According to the different situation of in/out cold store, there is first in first out and first in last out. Heavy and big items mainly store in pallet, small items mainly put into plastic box and parts bins. No matter choose which sides of packing and storage method, there should be enough space between items and items for cold car to flow. To make sure the cargo is frozen enough and keep a stable temperature. Properly cold air flow route design can help keep stable cold store temperature.
3. Cold store construction fit with racking system
Usually cold store construction have single tier and multi tier, due to different construction type, the requirement of racking design and layout is also different. Thus when the cold store construction is designed, we should consider the layout of racking system and other material handling equipment. The height of racking system should not affect the height of refrigerator. Allow enough space between pallets thus make sure cold air flow properly. The racking system should also have enough space between wall and post to allow convenience for installation and operation. When layout the racking system, do not put racking post in passage to affect forklift drive through. We should also avoid the conflict with fire fighting and lighting.
The passage in cold store is also a major factor which affect storage capacity. The less of passage cold store needs, the space for racking system will be more and storage capacity also increased.
Inside each gate there should be a cushion, to separate the temperature difference between outside and inside. In the mean time, this can also help operators to fit for the huge temperature difference.
The temperature difference should be between 5-10 degree. The entrance and exit of cold store should separate, this can reduce the energy loss when enter/leave the cold store, it can also avoid jam and crowd during the gate.
4. Racking Material used in cold store.
Usually steel will have deactivation under low temperature. The yield strength of welding point will also drop after low temperature. Thus we should choose special material for safety issue for cold store. If the temperature is under minus 20 degree, we should use special Q345 material and thick material according to national steel structure design standard.
In the warehouse design plan, save cost, maximum storage capacity, keep high safety is general ideas and final target. The designer should consider all the different situation to choose a most suitable system for customer.
As a professional designer, T Racking install hundreds of cold store racking all over the world.
Customers feel free to contact us at [email protected] for detail.
