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kengineering
25-01-2006, 02:35 AM
What are the choices for the installation of a grade level walk-in refrigerator/freezer floor. Dimentions will be 20 feet by 45 feet, half a 38*f refer the other half -20*f freezer. It will be used for fishing bait.
It will need to be strong enough to support a small forklift. The bussiness owner is very particular and wants the best. Thanks Ken

US Iceman
25-01-2006, 04:25 AM
Ken,

For such a high floor load with the forklifts a concrete floor is recommended.

Now this brings up another issue. The concrete floor should be insulated. Where the wall panels connect to the concrete floor, the floor insulation should extend past the wall panel to ensure a complete thermal barrier.

I think this is shown in the link PDF. Page 3 has some details.

Here is a link to some basic information.

http://www.bmil.com/pdf_files/Floors.pdf

Also, be sure to read the last page on floor heating. This can be critical on the freezer floor section. If the floor is not heated, the moisture in the ground under the insulation can begin to freeze. The resulting formation of ice can cause the freezer floor to crack and lift upwards.

The ice formation is called a frost or ice lens. When the floor begins to crack and lift, this is called frost heaving.

Does that help?

kengineering
26-01-2006, 12:38 AM
US Ice, Yes it does help. I guess I'll need the weight of the forklift to determine concrete thickness above the insulating panels. Thanks , Ken

US Iceman
26-01-2006, 01:34 AM
Ken,

The floors are built up using a sand base, then about 4" of extruded polystyrene panels (two -- 2" layers, all joints are overlapped to prevent continuous joints from top to bottom).

The reinforced wire and re-bar is placed on top of this, then the concrete.

After the concrete has cured, and the wall and ceiling panels are erected, the building is done.

After the refrigeration system is installed and ready to run, you have to watch the room temperature during pull-down. The air temperature can come down quickly until you get to about 35F.

At this point, you want to decrease the air temperature very slowly. This gives the concrete a chance to release any remaining water. If the air temperature is decreased too rapidly, the concrete can crack and pop loose.

BTW, you will also need the rack and product weight to ensure the concrete has sufficient load bearing capability.