February 2019
Design Factors to Consider for Efficient Cold
Storage Facilities
Story by: Ar. Sophia R. Avendaño
There is a current boom in Cold Storage Warehouses construction in the Philippines. So the CBD Chapter
decided to have it as one of the topics for the GMM last February 28, 2019 at the McDonald’s Greenbelt 1 with
UnionGalva Steel as the sponsor for the night. The guest speaker was our very own past chapter president Ar.
Sophia R. Avendaño who have extensive knowledge and experience in the design and construction of a Cold
Storage Warehouse. The lecture centered on the factors to be considered for efficient cold storage facilities.
A cold storage warehouse is like a human body: the bones are the structural framing, the brain is the MCC room
which controls the temperature of the cold storage rooms; while the transformer, electrical room and machine
rooms serve as the heart that powers and pumps up the refrigerants. The pipings serve as the nerves where
the freon/ammonia passes to cool down the rooms. The polyurethane panels are the skin that traps the cool
temperature within. Because the main function of cold storage facilities is to maintain a controlled temperature
to preserve goods.
Preparation of the flooring should also be considered - having a breather of pvc pipes, concrete base slab,
polyurethane panels and concrete top slab, to avoid formation of ice that may damage the floor. Total height and
width of the cold storage room depends on the maximum height and width a forklift can reach; and the racking
system. This is to maximize the cooling power of the air coolers and to avoid unnecessary areas for cooling.
Meanwhile, UnionGalva Steel also presented its products that caters to the needs of a Cold Storage Warehouse.
The UAP Makati CBD new set of Boad of Officers for the FY 2019-2020 were also presented during the February
GMM.