When you think of cold storage, you might think of ice-covered boxes, mist-like fog and frost creeping across glass. In movies, these are great visual prompts, but in reality, each of these depictions of plummeting temperature are indicative of a very real danger in cold storage rooms.
Unsurprisingly from us, we’re talking about humidity.
Water vapour in the air, introduced the storage environment every time someone enters the area, combined with the lowered temperatures used to preserve items there can lead to ice build-up, misting, fogging and frost.
Why do cold stores need dehumidification?
- Safer conditions for employees – Ice buildup and frost can presents a significant Health and Safety concern. Ice dislodged from boxes, condensation and water pooling can on the floor to create a slippery surfaces for employees and forklifts
- Protecting Produce – Ice and frost can cause degradation of packaging and any produce inside. Further, frost can reduce the legibility of labels and barcodes as it thaws, reducing processing efficiency
- Compromised Equipment – Ice build up in vents and mechanical equipment can cause undue wear, and over time, malfunction
- Increased Costs – Ice build up can cause mechanical devices to fail, which causes strain and increased power consumption in other systems as they struggle to compensate
- Sanitation – Mould, bacteria and other micro-organisms struggle to grow in a chilled environment, however, ice buildup creates a growth vector when it begins to thaw
- Preserving taste and aroma – Ice is porous and made of molecules with polar charges. The air-bound compounds which make up smells and taste easily adhere to these surfaces and remain there, degrading produce quality
At Humidity Solutions we provide a selection of industry leading dehumidification solutions which can be tailored for your specific needs. We have decades of experience providing solutions to keep cold storage areas dry and ice-free, no matter the weather outside. Get in touch with our experts today to discuss your cold storage requirements by calling 01372 571 200 or email info@humiditysolutions.co.uk.
