Doors in a food processing plant or a cold storage facility do more than simply providing access in and out of the plant/facility. The most appropriate type of door for a food processing plant is often determined by the design of the plant and the owner's personal preference among other factors.

The right choice of door in a food processing plant can improve energy efficiency within the plant and the productivity of employees. Discussed below are three factors that a prospective plant owner should have in mind when deciding on the best type of doors for use in the facility.

Operational Characteristics Of The Plant

There are subtle differences in the manner in which different food processing plants operate. For example, some food processing plants may use forklifts for the movement of goods between different points within the plant, while others may use pallet jacks and/or push carts. The size of equipment to be used within the plant has a great bearing on the most appropriate size of door.

The average temperature and humidity levels within the plant during its hours of operation should also be considered when choosing between different types of doors. In the ideal situation, the chosen type of door should have the capacity to bear the extreme conditions of temperature and humidity

Operational Characteristics Of The Door

These are factors such as the number of times that the door will be required to open and close during normal plant operation hours and the time interval required between each opening and closing cycle. This is important as it determines the appropriate operational speed of the door.

For example, food processing plants in which a high-cycle operation (frequent opening and closing of the door) should invest in a high speed rapid roll door.

Another important factor to consider when choosing doors for a food processing facility is the amount of clearance space that the chosen type of door will require. Sufficient clearance space is important for the safe passage of food processing equipment through the door. For example, the operation of sliding doors and doors that feature a housing frame generally requires more clearance space than conventional-style doors.

Material Characteristics Of The Door

Ideally, doors to be used in a food processing plant should be made of sturdy materials that have commendable resistance to corrosion. The importance of hygiene in a food processing plant cannot be emphasized enough.

As such, doors installed within the plant will need to be washed on a regular basis. Some of the chemicals present in commercial cleaning solutions can have a corrosive effect on the doors. Common materials recommended for the fabrication of doors to be used in a food plant include stainless steel and aluminum.  

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