At KPS GlobalĀ®, our industry-leading walk-in coolers and freezers include standard and additional add-on safety features to protect your employees during operation.
Letās take a closer look at these important safety features in our walk-ins that can offer solutions to common safety problems.
Safety Release Handles and Latches
All KPS Global walk-in doors are equipped with an inside safety release (ISR) that will release the latch from the interior side of the walk-in, even if the latch is locked on the exterior side. This is a critical safety measure as it prevents anyone from being locked in if the door closes.
The most common type of safety release is the plunger type that consists of a dome plastic head with a push rod. This rod is mounted on the interior of the door plug and withdraws the latch bolt when pushed, allowing the door to swing open.
The KPS Global standard inside safety release features a fiberglass push rod to limit thermal transfer as well as a recessed housing to protect the push rod from impacts involving personnel and equipment. Optional raised bumpers can be installed around the outside of these ISRs to prevent any damage from moving items or employees.
Another type of inside safety release is a twist-knob consisting of a plastic knob with a threaded shaft that is mounted on the inside of the door. When twisted, the knob will release the strike hardware from the wall and fall off on the outside, allowing the door to be pushed open.
The last type of safety release is an overlapping latch plate located on the interior of the door that can be rotated by hand to disengage when locked from the outside.
All KPS Global safety releases feature plastic parts that glow in the dark, so employees can see and access them in the event that the lights go out while they are inside of the walk-in.
Pressure Relief Vents
Walk-ins incorporate pressure relief vents to prevent a vacuum seal from forming by equalizing the pressure on both sides of the door.
When a walk-in door is opened, warm air is pulled inside. When this warm air starts to cool, it contracts and creates a vacuum inside of the walk-in, preventing any doors from opening. The opposite can happen when the refrigeration system goes into a defrost cycle and warm air is blown through the coils to melt frost, which can cause the air inside to expand and violently blow the door open if not vented. In freezer applications, a heated pressure relief vent comes standard to prevent any ice from forming.
Heater Wire and Thermostat
Heater wire is a conductive wire installed on the top and sides of the door frame to prevent the formation of condensation and ice buildup. The accumulation of ice buildup could lead to the door being frozen shut, impeding any entry or exit to the walk-in.
The thermostat is wired in tandem with the door frameās heater wire. It is used to regulate the temperature of the heater wire, preventing it from overheating and burning up, especially if the refrigeration is turned off.
Loading Ramp Finishes
The loading ramps in our walk-in coolers and freezers are equipped with textured finishes to ensure safe entry and exit.
Most standard ramp tread surfaces are Diamond Treadplate Aluminum (DTA), which features a raised diamond pattern to prevent slips, trips and falls. This aluminum plating is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for walk-inās low temperature conditions.
An alternative ramp tread surface is non-skid grip tape on a smooth metal finish. However, this non-skid grip tape could get dirty quickly, can be hard to clean and starts to peel up over time.
Conclusion
Whatever industry you are in, maintaining a strong focus on safety is essential to the efficiency and well-being of both your business and your employees.
At KPS Global, we ensure to implement simple safety measures for your walk-in coolers and freezers. Our goal is not only to safeguard the contents inside, but to offer solutions to address common safety issues.
Contact us today to learn more about the different safety features that can be installed in your walk-in to increase the efficiency and success of your businessā day-to-day operations.
