to heat or not to heat a cold store floor

[cadwaladr]

we are building a cold store maintaining -24 c,it measures 7x5 metre,s x 3.5 high the floor is made from insulated panels pir plywood then chequer plate the insulated panels are 7 inches thick the plywood is 3/4 inch thick and on a established concrete base inside a dry warehouse,does it need to be heated yes or no ?

[install monkey]

yes- chequer plate can become slippy when frozen, also a vapour seal- between concrete and base

[hookster]

I would say No, as most freezer floor is heated to prevent transfer below slab and perma frost causing heave.
Your store sounds small in comparison to warehouse and you will have a large thermal mass of concrete.
a cost effective method to reduce transmission is with inclined open pipes to promote movement through the insulation layer, thereby saving energy cost of heater mat.

Underfloor heating does not remove ice build up from floor, always take the opportunity if possible to install extra heated drain pans and drains below evaporators and minimise water carryover from defrosts etc
ingress will causing some frost into store but it sounds too small to build an airlock. If your budget allows consider a dehumidifier but remember this increasing design heat load.

A good ice removal regime and effective door control is essential to maintain store floor and correctly set defrosting will maintain clear evaporators.

[TONY LONGTHORNE]

Hi Guys
The reason we use under floor heating is to stop perma frost build up in the ground below the freezer and cracking and lifting the concreate base.
solution!. lay corrogated iron on the ground under the freezer, this allows ambient air to circulate under the floor, you can then cast the concreate base on top of the steel.
anaice one EH!.

[al]

No, pre fabbed rooms with floors don't come with heaters.