There’s no getting around the issue, even though top-of-the-line commercial freezers come together rapidly to deliver advanced cooling features, they can still fall foul of a nasty system defect. In all likelihood, the problem will have developed elsewhere, and now it’s impacting your expensive coolroom. Let’s get to grips with the problem by identifying and then addressing common commercial freezer issues before they seriously undermine system functionality.
Unique Commercial System Malfunctions
Singularly vexing problems create system damaging gremlins in commercial freezers. Pulling its way through a frosty chamber, a pallet jack or heavy catering trolley is on the move. That’s not an issue that’ll ever trouble a kitchen freezer. Anyway, with its steering mechanism damaged, an out of control catering trolley can pierce an insulated freezer panel or impact a power cable. Flexible conduits solve that latter issue while traffic restricting barriers and rails keep errant traffic contained.
Excessive Chamber Frosting
This could be a dirt related issue. Grime builds up on the condenser coil, an airflow restriction problem develops, and the refrigeration unit pushes hard as it kicks out more freezing cold air. Alternatively, an icy build-up accumulates around the evaporator coil, perhaps due to a refrigerant leak. Importantly, the equipment needs to be taken out of service until the leak is found and sealed. An expert servicing engineer should be notified so that the system can be recharged. In this ice-collecting situation, the best path forward starts with a simple troubleshooting program. Is the thermostat operating properly? Following this logic, the equipment coils are checked for dirt and/or refrigerant leakage issues.
The Hard-To-Itch System Defects
And these next troublemakers really do feel like an itch that can’t be scratched. The energy bill for a commercial freezer is growing every month, but there’s no clear evidence of an energy-siphoning culprit. Maybe a damaged insulating panel is responsible? If that’s not the case, the door mechanism or door seal could be malfunctioning. While one team member looks for door or wall panel damage, the techs return. An energy audit is employed as a leak measuring mechanism.
Most of the problems described above can be remedied by adopting a direct line of system correcting action. If the commercially graded zone’s ducting is dirty, institute a duct cleaning program. For door opening issues, the erring staff members must be instructed to close freezer doors, not to lazily leave them ajar. Better yet, teach the staff to spot obvious signs of damage, such as door gasket damage. Armed with a team of trained trouble spotters, headache-inducing system leaks find it that much harder to hide. Finally, for compressor breakdowns and coil failures, such major system malfunctions must be dealt with before they can cause inventory damage.
On paper at least, expert coolroom installation teams deliver industry-superior solutions that exceed the expectations of demanding clients. More accurately, the cold room installer is involved with the project from start to finish, from concept stage to the moment the equipment is finally commissioned. What qualities best describe one of those master system installers? Experienced, of course, elite industry professionals command several key system-installing talents.
Team Rendered Multidisciplinary Talents
As stated above, optimal solutions are made possible by an approach that’s actioned as soon as the project starts. For a less-than-stellar group of installation engineers, that attitude is sadly missing. Unable to adopt a blank slate installation mode, they call in general-purpose contractors, who carry out the light construction work. Good and reliable installers don’t farm out the work, they get in on every stage of the installation.
Shaping the Negative Space
Before the modular wall panels are assembled, the installation pros form the coolroom’s mounting space. Vent routes require planning, so the light construction taskforce gets going. There’s the insulated flooring to establish. Does spray-on insulant satisfy the job specs? If a concrete mix is mounted below the cooling enclosures, will it support the freezers while also delivering space for the building material to expand and contract? In a nutshell, is this a coolroom installer’s way of getting the job done, or is it a general contractor’s modus operandi? The latter approach builds structurally stable edifices, which is all well and good. Unfortunately, cold rooms are dynamic structures, although their movements are hard to perceive with the naked eye. To make the structure, including the insulating panels and flooring, plus the finely built cooling framework the client needs, coolroom-oriented construction specialists should really take charge.
Equipment-Specific Installation Expertise
Reliable coolroom installers arrive on-site when the project starts. They control every element of the job, as stated in the above paragraph. Electrical team members take care of the interior lights, thermostats, system electronics, and the refrigeration equipment. Meanwhile, mechanically minded operatives assemble the coolrooms and connect the vents. Of interest, a specialist manner of addressing the work is desirable, but that doesn’t stop the team from expressing a jack-of-all-trades work style. Mechanical system installers support the electricians, and vice versa.
When all of their duties are almost over, the reliability factor comes to the fore. The workforce is confident, but they know that human errors can occur. To check up on each other’s work and ensure optimal system functionality, a checklist is called in by a site competent person. A foreman, maybe a team leader, ticks off every installed wall panel, mechanical subsystem and venting run. Electrically safe, thermally efficient, storage-optimized and hygiene-reliable, quality coolroom installations are only considered properly commissioned after every checklist box receives a positive tick.
C&M Coolrooms can create a custom solution for your specific needs. Talk to one of team members today.
