Similar to the door, door frames and casings have advanced over time. Wood has again been commonly replaced by extruded polymer that is designed to work with the door gasketing system. The overall door frame design has even been optimized by some manufacturers to include a thermal break, in much the same way windows include thermal breaks, to minimize any heat or cold transfer that may occur through the framing members. There are several options in the type and use of casings. A “Casing Mounted” Door System is a door that includes a frame or set of casings or frames that mount to the wall of the cold storage enclosure. All of the door system components including the track, operator, and gasketing mounts to the casings, with the exception of the swing door. Virtually all sliding cold storage doors and many swing doors are casing mounted. Since the “wall” that is being mounted to frequently consist of non-structural foam panels, there is no internal wall structure to attach the door to. So called mirror casings are used to support the door system on the interior of the cooler box or freezer box, getting their name from “mirroring” the external casing. A jamb wrap can also be added to cover the jamb area between the casing and mirror casing to finish out the door frame. In applications where the cold storage door is installed in a rough opening, thru-wall casings can be used to finish the opening. This type of casing wraps around the frame to create a finished opening on both sides of the wall, as well as the jamb.

Cold Storage Door Installation

One of the advantages of cold storage doors is that they are commonly custom manufactured to suit a particular building application and installation. Therefore, when it comes to their proper installation, it is always best to refer to the manufacturers' instructions and recommendations since details often vary between manufacturers. Nonetheless, we can look at some general guidelines for each type of door.

Swinging doors are dependent on the frame and casing to support the door, so the proper installation of these components is very important. Some consultation with the manufacturer of the cold storage enclosure may be appropriate to determine whether or not the frame needs to bear the entire load of the door or if the wall panel has some reinforcing for that purpose. The details of the frame installation will be based on the option selected such as whether or not mirror casings or thru casings are used. One or both may be required if the enclosure panels don't provide any other attachment option. From there, the door hinges can be installed so the door can be hung and set in place. Door gaskets are likely already installed at the factory, but should be checked and adjusted as appropriate and as recommended. If there are any heated elements in the door such as the perimeter or the glazing, then the electrical connections will need to be made.

Sliding doors will also require some casing arrangement for the door to rest against, but the critical element here will be the installation of the track which the sliding door hangs from. Placing the track on the outside of the enclosure means that it is isolated from the cold side eliminating any possibility of transfer there. It also means that the installation can take place primarily outside of the enclosure. The track length and location will depend on whether the door is a bi-parting design or a single sliding design and adequate clearances will be needed in either case. Once the track is secured, then the door can be hung and door operator hardware installed. If the sliding door is electrically operated, then the operator will need to be installed and the electrical connections made. Separate electrical connections will be needed if perimeter door or threshold heating is required.

Vertical track door installation may require lifts or scaffolding to reach the heights of the open door and track. The track must be secured to the building and aligned to the opening properly so that the door operation does not interfere with anything else and will seal correctly when closed. Once in place, the door panel can be installed aligning the operating hardware with the track openings. Gaskets need to be checked and all operating and latching hardware needs to be finalized. Then, any electrical items such as openers or heating need to be connected.

Regardless of the type of door, the final installation steps include final cleaning and testing. The door should operate smoothly and close securely in all cases. The seals should engage and prevent air leakage between inside and outside of the cold storage enclosure. From a maintenance standpoint, the doors should be routinely checked to be sure they continue to perform as installed over time. If not, they should be repaired promptly by qualified personnel to prevent energy loss or productivity slow-downs. If there is a concern about protection of the doors during use, then bollards, railings, guard rails, or similar protective measures should be installed adjacent to or around the door openings and side areas.

Conclusion

Cold storage design is a specialty type of building use that requires specialty doors to provide successful design solutions. The current technology of cold storage doors allows for higher thermal performance and better operation but the overall layout and work flow of the facility must be taken into account when determining the type of door to use. Swinging, horizontal sliding, and vertical track doors are each suitable to certain uses and applications. By understanding the differences in the doors, their make-up, and their operation, architects can assure that large or small cold storage designs can be successful, compliant, and functional over the long haul of the building's operation.

Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, practices architecture, consults on green and sustainable design, writes on technical topics, and presents nationwide on all of the above. www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch

 

Founded in 1932, Chase Doors is the global leader and most recognized manufacturer of high-quality, made-to-order specialty doors systems including cold storage doors, corrosion-resistant doors, fiberglass doors, sliding fire doors, pharmaceutical doors, and impact traffic doors. www.chasedoors.com