One of the latest trends in cold storage construction is building up rather than out – a cost-effective way to expand square footage by building taller rather than wider. This evolution is driving demand for tall doors that can better accommodate large-scale cold storage operations.
We spoke with James Sylvester, a preeminent, long-time Rytec dealer and installer who has managed numerous large door installations. He states that the following factors should be considered when installing tall, high-performance doors in your cold storage facility.
Unique Installation Requirements
Installing a tall door in a cold storage facility is no small task. Challenges often include:
Specialized Equipment and Manpower. These doors require special lift equipment that can reach the top of the door opening – up to 24 feet in some cases. The process often involves multiple scissor lifts and a larger team to manage the installation. This also requires ample floor space to adequately position the equipment with 18 to 25 feet of clearance on either side of the door opening.
Additional Door Hardware. Larger doors require additional hardware during installation, including conduit, electrical wire and anchors to adequately support the weight of the door and the header.
Extreme Temperatures. Cold storage environments often dip to temperatures as low as -10°F. That means the installation crew must take frequent breaks to warm up, which can prolong the installation process.
The demands for equipment, manpower and time mean the costs of installing a tall door can be significant. With that much at stake, the door must be efficient, reliable and able to handle hundreds or thousands of cycles a day for many years.
High-Performance Doors Stand Tall in Cold Storage Facilities
Rytec’s high-performance doors are up to the task. They offer a variety of features and benefits that make installation a valuable investment for cold storage facilities.
Speed. Rytec doors open and close rapidly to maintain efficiency and productivity throughout the building. This also helps to minimize air exchange that could compromise the temperature of refrigerator or freezer rooms. The Turbo-Seal® Insulated roll-up door has opening speeds up to 182 inches per second.
Insulation. Many of our doors are fabricated with high R-value insulation to maintain energy efficiency, especially in environments where maintaining a consistent temperature is critical to preserving product quality.
Superior Seals. For large, refrigerated or freezer room openings, many facilities choose Turbo-Slide® bi-parting doors. This model provides a tight seal on all edges and offers a full-perimeter seal to help secure the overall thermal envelope. This often eliminates the need for blowers to prevent frost build-up, which drives significant energy savings.
Self-Repairing Capabilities. Accidental impacts from forklifts or other vehicles are common in busy facilities. Many high-performance doors are self-repairing, meaning they can automatically reset themselves to minimize downtime. After a forklift-door collision, many Rytec doors can be back in service within a minute. While other manufacturers offer similar features, they often require more preventive maintenance.
Reliable Performance. Many facilities have relied on Rytec doors for nearly 40 years, with some exceeding more than 2 million cycles – well beyond their expected lifespan. This durability is due to their unique design, which is specifically engineered for demanding high-cycle environments like cold storage facilities. For example, conventional doors usually run with continuous metal-to-metal contact, shortening the lifespan of parts and the door. Most Rytec doors have no metal-to-metal contact, helping to ensure a longer lifespan. In addition, Rytec doors feature a variable-speed AC drive system that enables soft acceleration and deceleration to increase the life of the door’s operating components.
Rytec doors are engineered for the unique challenges of cold storage facilities, helping maintain energy efficiency and minimize downtime – even in taller and wider door openings. They’re specifically designed to deliver value today and significant ROI over their lifetime.
Contact us today to discuss your cold storage needs and discover how Rytec’s high-speed doors can keep your operation moving efficiently.
Selecting the Right Cold Storage Door
Download our newly updated 2nd edition FREE Guide: Knock Temperature Differentials Out Cold – with High Performance Doors. You Will Learn the How and Why of:
- Assessing Temperature Needs
- Solutions for Temperatures Above Freezing
- Solutions for Temperatures Below Freezing
- The Importance of Size and Clearance
- Safety Remedies to Protect staff, Products & Equipment
