Cold Storage Facilities
Cold Storage facilities are highly specialized and can vary significantly in age, configuration, temperature requirements, and system types. PR&A’s extensive experience across the full spectrum of cold storage facilities—from cutting-edge new refrigeration systems to older vintage buildings—enables us to approach each project with a deep understanding of the unique challenges these assets present.
Cold Storage Facilities
Cold Storage facilities are highly specialized and can vary significantly in age, configuration, temperature requirements, and system types. PR&A’s extensive experience across the full spectrum of cold storage facilities—from cutting-edge new refrigeration systems to older vintage buildings—enables us to approach each project with a deep understanding of the unique challenges these assets present.
Our Services
Property Condition Assessments by experienced professionals with a broad knowledge of all building systems. Our assessments are defined by:
- Timely execution for due diligence schedules.
- Thorough field engineering and document analysis.
- Detailed and reliable opinions of cost.
- Comprehensive reporting and photographs.
Development consulting services rooted in engineering & architectural principles; with services that span the project lifecycle:
- Site & Development Feasibility Analysis
- Comprehensive Document and Design Review.
- Construction Monitoring, Oversight, and Draw Review.
- Close-Out Reporting and Warranty Inspections
Engineering and construction services for owned assets:
- Capital Projects & Planning Assessments
- Tenant Improvements & Obligation Review
- Emergency Repairs & Insurance Claim Oversight
- Sustainability, Resilience & Building Optimization projects.
Seasoned engineers and architects with experience addressing unique challenges and specialized building systems and an institutional network of established specialty subconsultants for every building system and assessment type.
- Assessments for all building systems.
- Actionable recommendations.
- Extensive and high quality specialist network.
Sustainability, risk, and resilience assessments integrated with our development consulting, asset management, and property condition assessment services. This approach enables stakeholders to explore sustainable and risk-adverse initiatives during investment evaluations and during capital project assessments. This includes:
- Sustainability and efficiency assessments for acquisitions, developments, and owned assets.
- Climate Risk & Resilience assessments for asset managers, risk managers and ESG+R leadership.
Representative Projects
Our focus is on ensuring the reliability and efficiency of these critical systems, optimizing their performance to meet the demanding requirements of cold storage operations. Whether addressing the intricacies of maintaining precise temperature controls or enhancing the longevity of older systems, we are committed to preserving and enhancing the value of your cold storage assets.
Cold Storage Development Due Diligence Considerations
- Thermal Envelope Integrity
- Refrigeration System Complexity
- Moisture and Condensation Control
- Foundation and Floor Slab Design
- Air Curtains and Thermal Barriers
- Energy Efficiency and Mechanical Failures
- Fire Protection and Safety
- Specialized Project Management Requirements
- Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Mitigation Strategies
The PR&A design and document review includes a review of entitlements, flood and seismic zones, utility and offsite requirements, geotechnical & environmental reports, drawings and specifications, along with the schedule, budget, and contract documents.
Construction Monitoring includes the ongoing review of the development schedule, progress, quality, materials, and financial documents. PR&A’s scope includes regular quality and progress site visits and a review of the monthly development draw requests, change orders, and third-party inspections.
Cold Storage Construction Considerations
- Cold storage facilities rely on complex refrigeration systems that are sensitive to both design and installation errors.
- Moisture control requires strict monitoring and robust design, especially during construction, as introducing wet materials or improper sealing of joints can allow moisture ingress, creating risks for future mold or corrosion.
- Floors may also require insulation or a heating system (in low-temperature applications) to prevent the ground below from freezing, which can lead to frost heave and potential structural damage.
- Cold storage facilities consume significant energy, primarily for refrigeration, making energy efficiency critical. Risk factors include inadequate commissioning of mechanical systems.
Cold Storage Property Condition Assessment Considerations
- Conduct detailed due diligence, focusing on the building envelope and refrigeration systems.
- Engage specialists and manufactures representatives for facility design insight.
- Review records of maintenance, focusing on replacement of major system components.
Our team, with a technical staff average tenure of 20+ years’ experience, includes licensed architects and engineers ensuring detailed, reliable property condition evaluations for cold storage facilities.
