How to Cool Large Steel-Structure Workshops and Warehouses

High temperatures during summer can not only affect the health and work efficiency of staff in steel structure warehouse but also have a negative impact on the quality of stored goods. Therefore, implementing effective cooling measures is essential.

1. Insulation Measures

Roof Insulation: Install thermal insulation materials such as glass wool on the roof of the structure warehouse. Typical thickness ranges from 50–100 mm with a density of 10 kg/m³, which can reduce indoor temperatures by 5–8°C. Alternatively, high-efficiency reflective insulation coatings can be sprayed on the roof panels. These coatings have excellent thermal insulation properties, reflecting up to 99.5% of infrared rays and 92.5% of visible light. They are easy to apply and do not damage the existing roof.

Wall Insulation: Add insulation layers on the interior side of the external walls, using materials such as polystyrene foam, to reduce heat transfer from outside into the building.

Window Insulation: Install sunshades, reflective films, or double-glazed glass on windows to block direct sunlight and reduce indoor temperatures.

2. Ventilation Measures

Natural Ventilation: Design the location and size of doors and windows to take advantage of natural wind and thermal pressure to promote airflow and expel hot air. Roof-mounted operable skylights and exhaust vents can also utilize the natural rising of hot air to facilitate ventilation.

Mechanical Ventilation: Install roof ventilators that require no power, such as turbine ventilators or strip ventilators, which use air convection principles for ventilation and are environmentally friendly. Powered roof exhaust fans can also be installed, offering strong ventilation performance suitable for any environment.

Targeted Airflow: In large workshops with few personnel, localized cooling can be applied only to areas where employees are present, leaving storage or product areas without cooling. This approach ensures staff comfort while controlling investment costs.

3. Forced Cooling Measures

Evaporative Air Coolers: These use water's heat absorption during evaporation to cool the air and are suitable for dry regions. For example, evaporative coolers can target hot spots, providing localized cool airflow near employees and creating a comfortable working zone.

Cool Fans or Portable Air Conditioners: These units can be used in specific high-temperature areas to provide instant cooling, ideal for localized hot spots.

Automatic Roof Sprinkler Systems: By leveraging the evaporative effect of water, these systems reduce roof temperatures. When ambient temperatures exceed 30°C, automatic roof sprinklers can be activated to keep the warehouse steel structure storage interior below 28°C.

The above are methods for reducing the internal temperature of steel warehouse building.