The guidance relates specifically to insulated cold and chill stores that are constructed within a building structure with ceiling panels that are supported by that structure, typically using drop rods suspended from a portal frame or building truss. It is being made available as a free download to members and non-members as guidance on safety

The Institute of Refrigeration published the first version of GN38, “Working on Cold Store Ceilings” in September 2022 and since then several health and safety incidents, coupled with concerns about some facilities reaching the end of their design life, have prompted requests for additional details of best practice in the ongoing inspection of insulated building fabric in cold stores.  This Annex is intended to give advice to cold store owners and operators to give them a method statement for the inspection of their facility. 

This inspection should be conducted as frequently as is warranted by the condition of the building: in a reasonably new facility that gives no cause for concern a detailed inspection once every five years is probably sufficient.  For an older facility, one where significant modifications have been made to the original structure or where there are known concerns about the integrity of the structure a more frequent inspection regime will be appropriate.  This might be once per year, or even more frequent in extreme cases. 

However, it should be noted that structures which are suspected to be in poor condition might not have the load-bearing capability to support the weight of an inspector so additional safety measures may be required.  This Annex should be read in conjunction with GN38 and applies to the structures covered by the guidance note, namely insulated cold and chill stores that are constructed within a building structure with ceiling panels that are supported by that structure, typically using drop rods suspended from a portal frame or building truss.

Download at https://ior.org.uk/technical/rachp-publications