Installing a containerised cold room is a four-step operation: ground preparation, electrical connection, delivery access and commissioning. This guide sets out what we ask the client to prepare beforehand so that delivery day goes smoothly.
Concrete slab
| Room volume | Minimum slab |
|---|---|
| 10 m³ | Reinforced concrete 12 cm OR 4 corner concrete pads + stabilised ground |
| 20 m³ | Reinforced concrete 15 cm, HA12 mesh 20×20, C25/30 concrete |
| 30 m³ | Reinforced concrete 18 cm, HA12 mesh 20×20, C25/30 concrete |
| 40 m³ | Reinforced concrete 20 cm, HA12 mesh 20×20, C30/37 concrete |
| Industrial 60+ m³ | Concrete slab 25 cm + structural-engineer-approved design |
Level: ± 5 mm across the external diagonal of the room. A room installed out of level causes abnormal defrost-water run-off and premature wear of the door hinges.
Slab or no slab for the 10 m³? The 10 m³ can sit on 4 concrete corner pads (~EUR 150 of groundworks vs ~EUR 1,200 for a full slab). Acceptable if the ground is stabilised: compacted gravel, tarmac, firm ground. Avoid on soft soil or grass.
Electrical connection
| Room | Voltage | Breaker rating | Supply cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 m³ positive | 230 V single-phase | 20 A | 2.5 mm² up to 20 m |
| 10 m³ negative | 230 V single-phase | 25 A | 2.5 mm² |
| 20 m³ positive | 400 V three-phase | 32 A | 4 mm² |
| 20 m³ negative | 400 V three-phase | 40 A | 6 mm² |
| 30 m³ positive | 400 V three-phase | 40 A | 6 mm² |
| 30 m³ negative | 400 V three-phase | 50 A | 10 mm² |
| 40 m³ | 400 V three-phase | 63 A | 16 mm² |
A 30 mA residual-current device is mandatory. Earthing is essential (resistance < 50 Ω). Our cold room electrical box is Class II with a main isolator and an emergency stop.
No three-phase on site? Three options:
- Grid utility connection (medium-voltage transformer or upgraded supply): EUR 1,500-3,500 + 6-12 weeks.
- Diesel generator 12-20 kVA on standby: EUR 5,500-8,500 ex VAT to buy, or ~EUR 150/day to hire.
- EV-battery loop with an inverter: technically possible for > 40 m³, but investment > EUR 25,000 - rarely cost-effective.
Delivery access
The container arrives on a specialist crane truck. Requirements:- Clear access width: 3.5 m minimum (truck + deployed crane arm)
- Clear height: 4.5 m minimum (loaded truck gauge)
- Crane working radius: 6 m around the placement area
- Load-bearing ground for the truck: standard road grade (trafficable, thick compacted gravel, construction slab)
- Notice period: 5 working days minimum before delivery
If your access is narrow or constrained (closed yard, 3 m gateway, vineyards, etc.): plan for an external mobile crane (Liebherr, Kobelco) to hire in addition. Extra cost EUR 600-1,500 depending on duration and reach.
Commissioning
R290 pre-charged room (≤ 30 m³ positive): self-commissioning. Mains connection, manual start-up, gradual pull-down over 6-12 h. Our manual details the pre-start checks.Room delivered empty (> 30 m³ or negative > 20 m³): gas charging by a partner Category I refrigeration engineer. Procedure:
- Evacuate the refrigeration circuit (30-60 min, vacuum gauge < 500 µbar)
- Leak test with nitrogen (1 h at 25 bar, loss ≤ 0.1 bar/h tolerated)
- Controlled charge of R290 or R744 (per spec)
- Start-up and temperature pull-down
- Safety-device test (alarms, cut-outs, ventilation)
- F-Gas intervention certificate handed to the client
- User training, 1 h (controls, alarms, daily upkeep)
Separate refrigeration-engineer quote: EUR 1,200 to 3,500 ex VAT depending on volume and complexity. Paid directly to the partner engineer, not to us (transparency and neutrality).
Our team coordinates with the engineer within 48 h of container delivery. Full commissioning is invoiced as one working day on site.