INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
PROJECT their superior insulation properties are fundamental to energy efficiency. " The reason why you have panels is because you can ' t reach those temperatures without proper insulation," he states. He further explains that while increasing panel thickness can enhance insulation, there ' s a point of diminishing returns where the added capital expenditure outweighs the energy savings. In the case of this project, Panel World determined that 100 mm thick PUR panels for the + 2 ° C zones and 130mm panels for the-30 ° C freezers provided an optimal balance between cost and insulation performance for the large-scale facility.
Muller highlights the unique demands of a pharmaceutical facility, where precision is paramount. " Because it ' s a pharmaceutical facility, the room for error and the margin of correctness that you have to follow is extremely tight," he notes. The facility is equipped with an extensive temperature monitoring system, featuring sensors every two metres that record data every two minutes. An alarm is triggered if the temperature deviates by more than two degrees from the set point, necessitating immediate investigation and corrective action. This underscores the critical role of insulation in minimising energy loss and maintaining stable temperatures. The
The sheer scale and height of the project set it apart from Panel World ' s typical undertakings.
refrigeration system itself was designed with triple failover redundancy to further safeguard the temperature-sensitive goods, recognising the significant financial implications of any temperaturerelated spoilage.
To ensure the integrity of the cold rooms, Panel World implemented rigorous quality assurance measures during the installation process. The panels, featuring a male-female interlocking system, were erected horizontally, attached to pre-fitted bolts on the structural beams. The gaps between panels were then filled with expanding foam to create a continuous thermal barrier, and cover plates were installed to provide a seamless finish.
The sheer scale and height of the project set it apart from Panel World ' s typical undertakings. Despite the logistical complexities of transporting and manually carrying panels across a muddy construction site during heavy rains, and
Image by Panel World
16m high cold room installation process.
COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2025 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za 23 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za 23