What is a Warehouse?
A warehouse is a large, open environment where temperature fluctuations will occur if not managed well. These fluctuations can affect the condition of goods in storage.
Intelligent sensors have become essential in the warehouse supply chain. They are commonly used in today’s warehouses to monitor environmental factors.
Climate control in a warehouse contributes to avoiding other environmental discrepancies. And produces consistent, convenient, well-controlled conditions throughout the entire operation.
Why is there a Necessity for Climate-Controlled Warehouse Storage?
Businesses aim for long-term storage needs. Business owners may decide either they need a climate-controlled or temperature-controlled warehouse.
Whether to use climate or temperature-controlled warehouse storage depends on the type of products stored. In industries such as healthcare or perishable goods storage, keeping the interior warehouse at a certain temperature is critical to sustaining the shelf life of products.
But business owners that operate warehouse facilities are responsible to ensure safe and comfortable working conditions for employees as well. Therefore, using smart sensors for convenient workflow in the warehouse certainly justifies its cost.
The Difference Between Temperature-Controlled Warehouse and Climate-Controlled Warehouse?
The terms “climate controlled” and “temperature-controlled” often appear and interchangeably used when talking about storage solutions. These types of storage have different functions and the safety of your goods depends on making the right choice of storage.
Temperature-controlled warehouses use heating and cooling technology. This helps regulate the temperature within the facility. Keep in mind that not all goods need temperature-controlled storage.
The majority of consumer goods, from electronics to housewares, do not need to store in a temperature-controlled facility. If warehouses are in places with moderate climates, the temperature should stay within the range that keeps the products safe and protected.
But, if your business requires a food-standard warehouse for perishable goods. Temperature control may be an important and critical factor. Temperature-controlled storage facilities are typically ranged anywhere between -55°F and -80°F. Depending on the type of products stored within the warehouse.
Climate-controlled warehousing takes things further. These systems work to control humidity within a warehouse as well as the temperature. In some healthcare storage facilities that house vaccines or pharmaceuticals, climate control is necessary to ensure the safety and potency of products.
Installing this kind of system may cost a little heavier than the other. That’s why taking considerations whether a building can accommodate a climate-control system when looking to lease warehouse space. Redesigning a building for the climate-control isn’t a way to trim down the operation cost.
Two Important Factors of Climate Control Warehouses
There are two factors to consider when it comes to climate control in warehouses: TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY. Various industries depend their goods on these two factors.
For food and beverage, climate-controlled facilities are necessary to keep the food and beverage at a constant cool temperature and ensure longer shelf life. Further, an extremely humid environment can be harmful to this sector. As it would cause the build-up of mold and condensation in packaging.
Climate control is also essential in warehouses that stock electrical goods. Here humidity levels need / and managing. So that the wires and internal electrical components which are in these products will prevent moisture.
While in pharmaceutical warehouses, vaccine storage has to be a climate-controlled facility. Many of these products are susceptible to temperature. Their storage temperature requirement ranges from 2˚C – 8 ̊C to keep them at their best state. If the temperature would exceed or decrease out of this range. Then this could alter the chemical stability of the product making it not safe to the users.
Elements of Climate Control
- It plans out the structure of how the shelves and pallets are positioned to alter the airflow of a warehouse. Sealing strips can be also used to block the airflow coming through door openings.
- It uses a dehumidification method to cut the humidity of the space. This helps prevent the building up of moisture. And condensation in products and the building itself. Using dehumidifiers could also prevent products from becoming too dry which could also avoid a potential mishap.
- It makes sure your warehouse is fully weatherproof and correctly insulated. And also can provide other climate control safety measures.
- It has transferable air conditioning/heating. And also ensures the temperature of the warehouse remains at an appropriate level. While also ensuring goods and the people working in a warehouse kept at the best temperature.
How Climate-Controlled Storage Offers a High Level of Protection
Having the right humidity levels in a storage area can deter mold and mildew. Which are especially damaging to wood, fabric, and other materials. In climate-controlled storage, both temperature and humidity are set to an appropriate level. This type of control needs extra expertise considering that the environment fluctuates very little in humidity and temperature. While temperature is important, relative humidity can be critical when storing fragile items.
When you’re choosing what to put in storage, consider asking storage facilities how clean, secure, and well-conditioned the facilities are. You can also ask or conduct a subtle survey which type is best for your particular business or personal products. Just be sure to ask someone who knows what kind of storage they specialize in.
Climate-controlled storage warehouses also use different techniques to manage temperature and humidity. This is achievable in a few different ways. Airflow, for example, can be regulated by planning out how shelves and pallets are arranged. Sealing strips can also be used to keep door openings closed. Aside from helping control airflow, these strips also help keep products safe from insects. High-powered humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be, of course, used to control humidity levels. And prevent the build-up of mildew. They also keep goods from getting too exposed to heat, which in itself can sometimes be a problem.
Climate-control can be also achieved through several various ways such as:
- Microprocessors for consistent digital controlling and monitoring of temperature
- Targeted air-cooling systems for temperature recovery
- Various forms of temperature and humidity shift notifications such as alarms
- Refrigeration systems
- A proper cushion of the building to prevent disruption from any extreme weather temperatures
- Weatherproofing
Why Does Your Business Need Climate-Controlled Storage?
If you deal in perishable products such as foods or pharmaceuticals. The importance of climate-controlled warehouse storage should be well observed.
Food and medicine can easily spoil if not stored and managed at the standard temperature level. Yet, these are far from the only products that benefit from climate control as most types of goods stay in good shape when stored under controlled conditions. Metal components also expand or contract as a natural response to hot and cold climates. Humidity can create condensation and form mildew in packaging. Too much humidity also is not safe for any type of goods.
Monitoring Climate-Controlled Storage with AKCP Wireless Tunnel™
Ensure that your environmental conditions are within required parameters, log, and graph data over time, and receive real-time alerts when user-defined sensor thresholds are exceeded. Use as a data logger with data buffered and synchronized to the gateway when in range. IP66 rated enclosure provides weatherproofing for use in outdoor environments. Mounting with DIN rail, wall hang, or cable-tie / pipe clamp. Pair with any AKCP Wireless Tunnel™ gateway.
Wireless Tunnel™ sensors have a long-range and low power for a battery life of up to 10 years. Distribute sensors around your warehouse and on racking. Sensor data is logged and broadcast at regular intervals to the nearest Wireless Tunnel Sensor Gateway. View all your warehouse temperature sensor data on the AKCP cloud monitoring platform.
Set thresholds that alert when temperature or humidity is outside of required parameters. Sensors broadcast immediately when the threshold is exceeded.
Monitor your complete network of sensors from one user interface using AKCPro Server Centralized Monitoring Software.
Conclusion
Climate control is useful for protecting stored goods from sudden shifts in weather events. Finding a quality warehousing service like AKCP Solutions that could fit every business and industry is a goal. Because good service is with the quality of products provided to the consumers. A workforce involving skilled people also requires intelligent sensors to maintain balance, efficiency, and productivity in your business.
For inquiries you may reach us through the link below:
Reference Links:
https://www.industrialinvestments.com/news/climate-controlled-warehouses/
https://suddath.com/moving-company/moving-tips/temperature-controlled-vs-climate-controlled-storage/
https://www.fulfilltopia.com/warehousing-explained/
https://www.apsfulfillment.com/warehouse-fulfillment/understanding-the-importance-of-climate-control-in-warehousing/
https://crossrental.co.uk/
