FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Image by Panel World
Wall panels can be freestanding or interlocked using various joining techniques or installed with full frame support.
Panel World ' s shelving installed in 16m high cold room.
capabilities. Reputable manufacturers provide guidelines for best installation practices, and often do it themselves.
A key, supplier-dependent feature is the panel joining method, which can involve unique locking designs, simple dovetails, direct insulation engagement with skin overlaps, or separate extrusion systems.
Insulated panels have a life expectancy of up to 30 years. South Africa offers various core materials, including special formulations from international suppliers. Detailed pros and cons of each material, such as degradation rates or liquid permeability, are available from industry associations. Common core materials include:
• Expanded Polystyrene( EPS):‘ Bead boards’ are produced by expanding and bonding polystyrene beads in three densities. EPS degrades with prolonged sun exposure and requires compatible adhesives and sealants.
• Phenolic foam: Manufactured from phenol formaldehyde resin, it ' s available in open or closed cell forms. It needs protection from prolonged sun and water exposure and is suitable for interior wall sheathing, both above and below ground.
• Polyisocyanurate( PIR) and Polyurethane( PUR): These are formed by chemical reactions that create tiny air cells filled with refrigerant gases. They require protection from prolonged water and sun exposure and must be covered with fire-resistant material indoors.
• Rockwool: Also known as stone wool or mineral wool, this material is derived from rocks and minerals. It excels at sound and heat blocking and is often chosen for fire resistance, withstanding 1 000 ° C heat. However, it ' s a brittle structural material and needs a matching supporting structure.
FACTORS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT INSULATION
Selecting the appropriate insulation product requires careful consideration of several project-specific factors, as each facility typically has unique requirements:
• Facility / room size: Dependent on space needs and traffic flow
• Product / process type: The nature of what will be stored or processed
• Product volume: The quantity of product entering and leaving
• Processing versus storage needs: Whether the primary function is processing or long-term storage
• Product entry / exit temperature: The temperature at which products enter or leave the process line
• Required storage temperatures: Specific temperature ranges needed( pull down, chill, freeze)
• Door sizes: Larger doors can significantly impact heat transfer
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DIVERSE APPLICATIONS OF INSULATED PANELS
Beyond the cold chain, insulated panels have evolved into versatile components for complex building systems. They are widely used as an alternative, modular construction solution, designed and manufactured off-site for rapid, effortless on-site erection. Their applications extend to:
• Houses( high-end and low-cost)
• Data centres
• Chemical storage areas
• Clean rooms
• Laboratories
• Hospitals
• General plant rooms
• Breweries
• Shipping
• Petrochemicals
• Mining
18 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2025