Fire Resistant and Fire Rated Walk-In Cold Rooms

Cold rooms are designed and built from insulated panels to ensure the internal temperatures are maintained efficiently. Often there are other specifications that cold room panels need to adhere to outside of insulation properties – one of these are fire resistance and fire ratings.

Walk-in chillers and walk-in freezers can be designed to provide fire resistance if this is required. MTCSS work with a range of suppliers to be able to offer a range of cold room panel systems with fire ratings and resistance. But when would a cold room need to be fire resistant or fire rated?

When Would a Cold Room Require a Fire Resistant or Fire Rated Panel System?

There are various reasons that could result in the requirement of cold rooms being fire-rated or fire resistant – one of these is to adhere to building regulations.

Building regulations can dictate the requirement for internal and / or external fire resistant or rated panel systems. Industry regulations can also impact the requirements of the panel systems used when build a walk-in chiller or walk-in freezer.

If cold rooms are used to store high-risk, or high value products, this can also lead to the requirement for a fire rating within your cold rooms. Fire rated panels are often used in the building of cleanrooms and pharmaceutical environments.

Types of fire rated and fire resistant panel systems

MTCSS supply and install a range of cold room panels and fire rated panel systems. The selection of the type of panel is dependent on the application and specification of the project and industry.

Fire Resistant Panels

Kingspan Quadcore insulated panels are available in a range of thickness dependent on the level of insulation required. The fire resistance of the cold room panels is also dependent on the panel thickness.

Kingspan Quadcore fire resistant panels for walk-in chillers and walk-in freezers are made from PIR panel with a fire resistant ‘skin’. Meaning the ‘skin’ of the panel is fire resistant, but the PIR isn’t.

Quadcore cold room panels are available with a fire resistance ranging between 30 minutes to 90 minutes. The panels can be used for both internal and external applications.

Walk-in chillers and walk-in freezers built from fire resistant panels are installed differently to a standard cold room. These need to be installed according to a set of specifications in order to achieve the fire resistance.

Fire Rated Panels

Fire rated panels are composite panel systems which can used to build internal walls and ceilings – but are not suitable for external applications unlike most fire resistant panels. Fire rated panels are available with fire rating from 90 minutes to 4 hours.

In comparison to fire resistant panels, fire rated panels are designed and manufactured from a complete fire resistant material.

When it comes to building fire rated walls and cold rooms, similarly to fire resistant cold rooms, they must be built in a specific manner to coincide with the rules and regulations of the manufacturer.

Fire rated doors for cold rooms

If you require a fire-rated walk-in chiller or walk-in freezer, its likely you’ll need a fire-rated door solution. MTCSS can provide both internal and external fire-rated doors with single or double door blades.

Fire rated doors are designed to protect personnel and buildings from the spread of flames and smoke. They are available with fire protection from 60 minutes to 240 minutes to suit your application.

MTCSS can provide both fire resistant and fire rated walls and walk-in cold rooms. Our team will work with you to understand the exact requirements of your business and industry.

Get in touch with the MTCSS team by calling us on 01886 833381, email us at sales@mtcss.flywheelsites.com, or fill in an enquiry form here.