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Design Guide Cold / Environmental Rooms

Basis of Design

This section applies to the design and installation of refrigerated walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers,environmental rooms and cold rooms.

Programming

How will the cold/environmental room be used? The future users of the cold/environmentalroom must explain, in detail, how the room will be utilized. Include current and futureexpectations. Consider long-range goals during design.

What is the required size of the cold/environmental room? When determining roomdimensions, consider the wall thickness required to maintain cold room temperatures. Do notlocate mechanical and electrical systems above the cold/environmental room.

If a cold/environmental floor height is 4 to 6 inches higher than the building floor, provide aramp or depressed slab.

What are the cold/environmental room temperature requirements? What are the maximumand minimum temperatures required? How quickly must operating temperatures be

achieved? What is the temperature control range? For instance, a 2 F control rangerequires the installation of a specific type of control system.

What are the cold/environmental room humidity requirements? If cold/environmental roomoperating temperature is approximately 32 F, humidity is difficult to control.

What will the refrigeration loading be? If refrigeration load is constant, the refrigerationequipment is sized for wall and infiltration losses. If large objects are to be cooled or frozen,will a larger-capacity refrigeration system be required? Consider the frequency of dooropening/closure as part of the system design.

How important is cold/environmental room reliability? Refrigeration equipment will eventuallyfail and leave the cold/environmental room without temperature control. Can this be toleratedor is standby equipment required? If reliability is extremely important, provide standby power.

Is constant monitoring of cold/environmental room required? Is a contract with ADT orSonatrol necessary? Who is the contact when the unit does fail?

Where will the compressor be located? Do not locate compressors on top of pre-fabricatedcold/environmental rooms. Provide an equipment space immediately adjacent to thecold/environmental room. The compressor may then be mounted on the wall, providingusable floor area. Consider sound level requirement with the compressor location.

Will people be working in the cold room? Must the cold/environmental room be ventilated?Will air need to be exhausted from the room? Contact Campus Engineering and EH&S.

What are the limitations on air velocities?

Is the evaporator positioned to direct air at the door (Reduces incoming air)?

What utilities are required inside the cold room? Interior water and waste utilities may requirefreeze protection.

How is the access to equipment/piping /ductwork above the cold room/environmental roomceiling provided?

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Design Guide Cold / Environmental Rooms

Design Criteria

See Refrigeration section for design criteria.

Provide environmental control chambers/refrigerated rooms with frost/fog-free viewingwindows, an internally actuated panic alarm system for personnel protection, a temperaturelimit alarm (automatic) with audible and visual signals, and two contacts for remotemonitoring.

Provide positive pressure ventilation for environmental rooms to avoid condensation. Ifexhaust is required, provide neutral pressure.

Design Evaluation

The following information is required to evaluate the design:

Schematic Design Phase: Provide equipment locations; system definition and design criteria

developed by the users, names of responsible Mechanical Design Engineer, RefrigerationShop Supervisor, and Campus Engineering representative.

Design Development Phase: Provide design calculations, equipment sizing criteria, roomdimensions, insulation type and thickness, equipment lists, operation sequence, controldiagram and piping plans.

Construction Document Phase: Provide one-line diagrams, pipe sizing, descriptive literaturewith capacities for each piece of equipment and appropriate selections marked. Capacitybalance curves shall be included to show operating balance conditions for matchingcomponents.

Construction Submittals

Provide equipment product data.

Provide control schematics, sequence of operation, and location of controls.

Provide standard industry submittal requirements.

Related Sections

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - General Requirements Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Plumbing

o Potable and Nonpotable Watero

Waste and Drains

o Acid and Laboratory Wasteso Pressure Testing

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioningo Refrigerationo Ductwork and Duct Accessorieso Pressure Testing

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UNIVERSITY OF WA SHINGTON MechanicalFac i l i t ies Serv ices

Design Guide Cold / Environmental Rooms

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Piping, Valves & Accessories Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Hangers and Supports Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Motors and VFDs Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Metering and Gauges Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Nonstructural Component Seismic Design Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Identification Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Insulation Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Noise and Vibration Control Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Environmental Control Systems Environmental Health & Safety Design Guide - Sprinkler Protection & Standpipes

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - Testing, Adjusting and Balancing

Facilities Services Design Guide Mechanical - CommissioningProducts, Material and Equipment

See Piping, Valves & Accessories section.

Provide scroll-type hermetic compressors.

Provide maximum warranty option for compressors.

Installation, Fabrication and Construct ion

See Refrigeration section for installation, fabrication and construction.

END OF DESIGN GUIDE SECTION