Solutions
Frost heave prevention
Protect your facility thanks to Thermatek® low-voltage heaters that stop soil freezing, safeguarding your foundation and operations.
The issue
The hidden risk of frost heave
Even in warm climates, frost heave poses a serious threat to industrial cold storage facilities.
As refrigeration units extract heat, the ground beneath can freeze, causing soil expansion and upward pressure. This can lead to:
- Structural damage to floors and foundations
- Costly repairs and operational disruption
- Safety hazards and reputational damage
The science behind frost heave
Refrigeration systems create a thermal gradient that pulls heat from the ground, lowering soil temperatures. Over time, this can cause moisture in the soil to freeze, even in hot climates. Key factors include:
- Heat Conduction: cold storage floors transfer heat away, chilling the ground below.
- Thermal Bridging: floors, foundations, and pipes accelerate heat loss.
- Depth of Impact: studies show that refrigeration systems can freeze soil several meters deep, leading to long-term structural risks.
What scientific studies say
- Research from Building and Environment confirms that refrigeration plants, even in warm climates, can freeze the ground beneath, causing foundation damage.
- Studies from the Institute of Thermal Energy Systems show that prolonged refrigeration can create permafrost-like conditions, worsening frost heave.
All Thermatek® solutions
Protect your floors, Protect your business
Reliable heating systems to prevent frost heave and condensation.
Thermatek approach
How Thermatek® ultra-low-voltage heaters prevent frost heave
Installing Thermatek® ultra-low-voltage heaters beneath cold storage floors counteracts heat loss, preventing soil from freezing. Specific features:
by keeping soil at a stable, above-freezing temperature.
with minimal energy use compared to refrigeration units.
functioning in any climate and lasting the lifetime of the facility.
by using Ultra-low-voltage fully isolated heating elements
A cost-effective solution
- Prevents costly repairs by maintaining floor and foundation stability.
- Reduces downtime by avoiding disruptions caused by frost heave.
- Energy-efficient operation ensures continuous protection with low operating costs.
- Durable stainless steel construction ensures longevity and resilience.
Safeguard your cold storage facility
Frost heave is a preventable issue. Thermatek® low-voltage heaters offer an affordable, reliable, and energy-efficient solution to protect your investment.
Resources
Your questions about frost heave prevention
Learn about Thermatek’s frost heave prevention technology, how our systems operate, and what sets them apart in the industry.
It uses ultra-low-voltage heating elements below the insulation layer to prevent the ground from freezing and expanding.
Yes. We have a system called Recovery Heating System, designed for situations where there are signs of frost heave or when a freezer was built without frost heave prevention.
It is wiser to wait until the sub floor has been set, although we have installed with just steel work and sub floor present on site.
Thermatek® uses ultra-low-voltage highly durable 2.64mm stainless steel heating wires installed beneath the floor insulation layer.
This will depend on the running temperature of the room but the Thermatrad wires or the Thermamod boards should be installed to the sub floor of the room before insulation is laid over it. This would commonly be between 150 to 400mm from FFL.
A flooring grade of compressed Polystyrene RTM or HD.
Our references
Discover how Thermatek approach client’s challenge with bespoke solution to prevent their storage from frost heave.
Retail & food distribution
Our systems help major supermarket chains and food logistics providers prevent frost buildup, ensuring perishable goods remain safe and facilities operate efficiently.
Installation & maintenance
At Thermatek®, we don’t just supply heating systems — we ensure they perform flawlessly throughout their lifespan, providing design, consultancy, and technical support with over 35 year of expertise
We’d love to hear from you
Have a question about our heating solutions or need expert advice for your cold storage project? Our team is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your needs, request a quote, or get technical assistance.
Contact us today to discuss your needs, request a quote, or get technical assistance.
5a, Station Yard, Station Road, Hungerford RG17 0DY / UK
sales@thermatek.co.uk
+44 (0)1488 684888