An increase in online commerce has meant the FMCG market has evolved, and there is a much greater focus on supply chain support services, as well as storage. These market factors are some of the reasons why the demand for large distribution centres has become increasingly complex, with building requirements evolving to not only focus on the external building structure but to place equal emphasis on the quality and control of the internal storage space.
Buildings servicing retail and food enterprises now need to effectively and efficiently manage and maintain a range of temperature and climatically controlled space, with sophisticated mechanical and electrical equipment. Over recent years, developers requiring cold store and chill store specifications have increasingly needed to work more closely with building envelope providers to best understand the role of the building envelopment and ensure the final design meets these requirements. There are essentially three categories of temperature-controlled storage; ‘ambient,’ ‘cold’ and, more recently, ‘chill’ store, as explained below.
Ambient storage space being ‘unconditioned’ provides ‘room temperature’ and normal storage conditions, typically in the range of +5°C to +25°C – often required for commercial, office, industrial, manufacturing, logistics and retail (non-perishable food and non-foods). With regard to the building envelope, there are no special requirements for temperature control and potentially only frost protection; this is how many buildings have traditionally been constructed.
Cold storage space is designed for temperaturecontrol where temperatures fall below ambient requirements. This space is often built as an ‘internal box’, typically used as a refrigeration unit or freezer for the storage and control of perishable goods as demanded by the retail, pharmaceutical, leisure and logistics sectors. This solution has been widely adopted in the construction industry, with temperatures falling as low -25°C. Chill stores are becoming increasingly commonplace and can cater for temperature ranges typically between 0°C and +5°C. The entire internal environment can be temperature controlled, without the need for an additional internal ‘box’ adding, which was often the solution previously. This would typically be required for foodstuffs, e.g., fresh produce, as well as horticultural, agricultural and pharmaceutical supplies.
CA Group has invested in product development to create a more economical, environmentally-efficient and flexible building system that offers the ‘next generation’ of temperature-controlled storage buildings. The aim is to provide a building envelope system specially designed to provide flexibility of temperature-controlled space, making it more commercially viable and commercially attractive to property developers, with added environmental benefits.
Built in accordance with the need of the client, developer, Building Regulations and Local Authority Building Control (LABC) requirements, and through continuous investment in product design, development and testing, CA Group has created a system that delivers dynamic and ‘Adaptable Building Solutions’ for internal temperature applications between 0°C and above. Twin-Therm Chronus Ready (Patent Pending) meets the strict performance requirements of a chill store building, enabling temperature control whilst managing condensation with a solution that offers a hugely simplified construction process. Highly certified, robust, but adaptable, Chronus Ready (Patent Pending) has proven to offer advanced functionality, offering a credible chill store solution as an extension to CA Group’s renowned Twin-Therm built-up roof and wall cladding system.
The average lifespan of a commercial build means that it will likely undergo several changes in tenancy over time. For developers building speculatively, the need to design for adaptability is fundamental as occupant requirements can vary enormously and changes such as climate and lighting control can pose real challenges for buildings not designed to adapt, as well as present significant reconfiguration costs. A Chronus Ready (Patent Pending) specification facilitates building adaptability, enabling property agents to attract a wider range of prospective occupiers owing to building flexibility. Furthermore, it also enables change of use more easily, with the ability to alter thermal values, control solar gain and provide climate control, meaning building owners can retain tenants over a long period as the building can be adapted to suit more readily, should a change in business activity occur.
CA Group works with some of the UK and Europe’s leading property developers on projects ranging from 100m2 to over 100,000m2 and is a specialist in delivering large-scale, mixeduse, multi-unit schemes. The company recently completed work on Bedford 405, Bedford, a new logistics development by industrial property specialist, Goodman, with 407,143ft2 of cross-docked distribution/ warehouse space and Grade A offices. Located adjacent to the A421, just seven miles east of J13, the property forms part of a wider mixed-use development, which will incorporate industrial, distribution and business space in an attractive landscaped park environment.
Working closely with Goodman and its design team, CA Group implemented Twin-Therm Chronus Ready (Patent Pending) on Bedford 405 to meet with the exacting demands of the building. With a focus on optimal environmental credentials, maximum build adaptability and attractive operational costs, Goodman and CA Group implemented the Twin-Therm Chronus Ready (Patent Pending) specification to deliver multi-temperature space control and flexible warehousing with a highquality, built-to-last, building envelope that offers enhanced performance. The Bedford 405 scheme boasts; space to accommodate single chill store or subdivided multi-temperature areas, superior airtightness for improved temperature control, optimal environment conditions to store a range of products, minimised heat loss/gains for enhanced thermal performance. It also provides reduced running costs and CO2 emissions, customisable space with easy-remove rooflights for future building adaptability, enhanced EPC grading and a 25-year guarantee. The BREEAM ‘Excellent’ building is available for immediate occupation. For more information and details, please visit the below website. Serviced plots are available for industrial, warehouse, hi-tech and office use.
