Cold storage environments bring a host of unique challenges to the businesses and industries that rely on them, most notably food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and logistics.
Factors like temperature, moisture, hygiene and inventory organisation must be carefully considered. If even one of these elements is slightly off, the valuable items that temperature-controlled storage solutions tend to hold can be affected.
Control systems and operational processes obviously play a critical role in the integrity of cold storage. But there’s another key element that is often overlooked: the cold room shelving and pallet racking systems.
From operational efficiency, to compliance, to inventory preservation, your choice of cold storage shelving is more important than you might think.
In this guide we’ll reveal how the right shelving for food and pharmaceutical storage can transform your cold storage systems for the better.
What is cold storage shelving?
Cold storage shelving is specifically designed for use in refrigerated or frozen environments, such as walk-in fridges and freezers, and other climate-controlled storage rooms.
Cold storage is used by industries like pharma, F&B, food service and logistics to transport and store inventory while maintaining its quality and integrity.
What makes it different from standard shelving? Cold storage systems are generally:
- Corrosion-resistant: Typically made of stainless steel, aluminium or epoxy-coated metal, corrosion-resistant cold storage shelving can withstand moisture, condensation and certain chemical spills.
- Ventilated and hygienic: Mesh or perforated shelving allows air to circulate around stored items to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the environment. Hygienic shelving can also be resistant to bacteria and fungal growth.
- Compliant: In terms of storage compliance, food industry businesses face rigid rules designed to ensure consumer safety. The rules are understandably strict for medical cold storage shelving too. Purpose-built shelving will tick these boxes.
Key factors to consider when choosing cold storage shelving
What considerations do you need to make in order to choose the right cold storage shelving for your situation?
Material and finish
Different cold storage shelving materials – stainless steel, aluminium, galvanised, epoxy-coated – bring different strengths and weaknesses. Stainless steel, for example, is generally best in wet and humid cold storage environments.
Weight capacity and durability
You need to choose shelving that can handle whatever weight you require it to hold, and can do so for the long term. Reinforced refrigerated storage racks, for example, are ideal for heavy pallet loads.
Airflow and ventilation
Open, ventilated shelving promotes airflow around stored items, which helps to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the environment, which in turn helps to preserve product and maximise energy efficiency.
Hygiene and cleanability
You must choose shelving that complies with all relevant food or pharma hygiene standards. It should be easy to clean and sanitise, and will ideally feature an anti-microbial coating.
Modular and adjustable design
Depending on how much your storage needs change, modular or easily adjustable cold storage shelving could prove a wise investment. This can help cold logistics providers, for example, to adapt to seasonal fluctuations and the changing needs of their customers.
Temperature tolerance
Cold storage can mean many things, from 5°C fridges, to -18°C freezers, to the extremely low storage temperatures often required in biotech. You need cold storage shelving that can cope with whatever temperatures you work in.
Compliance considerations in New Zealand
Cold storage shelving rules and regulations are determined on an industry-by-industry basis by the relevant authorities:
- Food safety: The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system offers a science-backed approach to food safety. TThe New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) provides Codes of Practice (COP) for the application of HACCP principles in cold storage facilities.
- Pharmaceuticals: The Ministry of Health is the main authority on medical cold storage, and provides guidance on the storage and cold chain transport of all manner of pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines.
Beyond industry-specific requirements, maintenance of cold storage shelving should be documented, and safe working loads should be clearly marked on all storage systems.
Industries that rely on cold storage shelving
As we’ve already mentioned, a few key industries tend to be the main users of cold storage environments:
- Food & beverage (F&B): For inventory like frozen goods, dairy, meat and fresh produce.
- Pharmaceutical & Medical: For vaccines, medications and biological samples.
- Third-party logistics (3PL): For the transportation and storage of client inventory (usually for the industries above).
But a range of other industries use cold storage shelving too, including agriculture, chemical manufacturing, cosmetics, museums and archival organisations.
FAQs
Adjustable stainless steel shelving is generally the most popular type of cold storage solution, due to its adaptability, durability, corrosion resistance and hygiene. That said, the best type of cold storage shelving is whichever is best suited to your needs and situation.
Rust-resistant materials like stainless steel and epoxy-coated metal are designed to stave off rust in wet and humid environments. Good airflow can reduce rust-causing condensation, so stack your shelves strategically. Finally, the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance cannot be understated.
Most commercial cold storage racks can handle standard fridge and freezer temperatures, maintaining their integrity in environments as cold as -30°C. This depends on the material though – stainless steel tends to be the most stable in extreme cold.
No, you shouldn’t use regular shelving in a freezer room, due to potential issues with compliance, safety, hygiene and longevity. In cold storage you should only ever use shelving specifically designed for the environment.
Final tips for buying cold storage shelving
Ready to invest in a cold storage shelving solution? Before you do, here are a few quick pieces of advice to ensure you make the right choice:
- Find and work with a supplier who understands cold chain storage, and who has a proven track record of supplying quality solutions to businesses in your industry.
- Prioritise compliance, but also look for adaptable solutions that can continue to meet your needs as they change into the future, such as modular shelving.
- Always verify load ratings and temperature specs before using the shelving system, and display limits and instructions clearly.
Storepro: cold storage shelving professionals
Shelving can’t be an afterthought for businesses that utilise cold storage. With so much on the line, both in terms of the value of the inventory and the safety of end users, you need to ensure that your shelving system ticks every box. But to do so, you may need some professional expertise.
At Storepro we are that professional. Our expert team is ready to offer all the cold storage guidance you might require, while also helping you to enhance the operational performance of your storage system through custom designed, high quality solutions.
Get in touch with our friendly team today for a free consultation, and take the first step towards smarter, safer, more efficient cold storage.