At KPS GlobalĀ®, our industry-leading walk-in coolers and freezers are a significant investment in the growth of your business. These walk-ins require careful planning and preparation before installing to ensure efficiency, safety and functionality.
Letās take a closer look at some of the key steps needed to be taken before the installation of your walk-in.
Safety Equipment
One of the first things to ensure is that you have all the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the job.
The required PPE for a walk-in installation is:
- Safety vest
- Steel toe work boots
- Gloves
- Hearing protection
- Eye protection
- Hardhat
It is always recommended to check in with the general contractor for their site-specific requirements as well.
Inventory Materials
Check your job accessory box to ensure all materials are present and ready to go. These materials include:
- Installation manual
- Material safety data sheets, which are standardized documents about the safety and health risks associated with the installation
- Blueprints for the job
- Complete list of materials needed for installation
If any of these items are missing from the accessory box, make sure to contact KPS Global so we can provide you with the missing items.
Readiness of Installation Site
The next step you should take is ensuring the area of installation is free of all debris and that the surface area is perfectly level. You can use a string or laser level to check if the floor is level.
This is a crucial step before installation as it ensures proper alignment of your KPS Global panels with a tight seal and helps prevent any long-term structural issues for your walk-in.
Chalk Line Box Before Installation
It is always recommended to use a chalk line to outline your entire walk-in box footprint before installation as it ensures:
Accurate Placement
Guarantees the walk-in is installed where planned and helps avoid running into issues with wall alignment, door swing clearance and proximity to other things like drain lines and equipment.
Alignment
Using a chalk-line before installation helps confirm the corners are square and at a perfect 90-degree angle, which is important for creating air-tight seals with the panels.
Preventing Mistakes
If the panels are installed slightly off-center or out of line with the plans, you might have to disassemble and reposition them.
Utility Coordination
This helps you verify that any electrical, drainage and refrigeration lines will be accessible and properly positioned to the walk-in.
Properly Square Box
The biggest challenge when laying out a walk-in box correctly is making sure all the corners are square.
The easiest practice to use is a practical application of the Pythagorean Theorem ) that helps you quickly verify and adjust your layout.
If you measure one leg of your box at three feet and the other at four feet, then your diagonal coming across should measure out to five feet. This method can also be used with any multiplier to get the proper measurement you need such as six, eight and ten, as well as 12, 16 and 20 feet.
This will guarantee your panels are at a perfect 90-degree angle to create a tight seal.
Proper Air Gap and Air Flow
Finally, KPS Global requires a minimum of one inch, but a larger gap is recommended between the walk-in box and the walls of the building to ensure proper ventilation and operation. Inadequate airflow can lead to:
- Compressor overwork and failure
- Uneven cooling and temperature fluctuations
- Spoiled product and energy inefficiency
Final Steps
Preparing for the installation of a walk-in cooler or freezer can be detailed and time-consuming, but taking the time to follow these essential steps is critical.
Proper preparation not only ensures that the installation goes smoothly, but that it maximizes the long-term performance, reliability and efficiency of your walk-in to help your business thrive and grow.
Contact our knowledgeable experts to learn more about using KPS Global certified installers on your next project.
