Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, North Dakota, recently became the home of eight uniquely designed Thermo-Kool walk-ins consisting of six walk-in coolers, a five compartment walk-in cooler/freezer and a three compartment walk-in cooler/freezer with an integrated TK94BC-2 roll-in blast chiller. The 57’2″ x 20’5″ x 9’0″ high three compartment walk-in cooler/freezer with the TK94BC-2 integrated blast chiller is pictured as it was being preassembled in the Thermo-Kool factory for a thorough quality control inspection prior to shipping. The unique configuration demonstrates Thermo-Kool‘s flexibility in panel design and ability to manufacture in 1″ panel increments which allowed the TK94BC-2 roll-in blast chiller to be fully integrated into the combination walk-in cooler/freezer which ensured there was no additional space required for the blast chiller unit and no wasted space at the job site. And every panel locked-in-place to avoid cutting and pasting in the field! The integrated TK94BC-2 blast chiller is designed so the oven racks roll directly into the walk-in cooler. The Thermo-Kool walk-in coolers, freezers and blast chiller were all designed with a recessed floor to accommodate tile and grout. The interior of the walk-in coolers and freezers are white stucco aluminum which along with the fluorescent light fixtures provide maximum illumination on the inside. The entrance doors to the walk-in coolers and freezers were provided with 14″ x 24″ peep windows, vinyl strip curtains, temperature alarm/light managers and 1/8″ treadplate kickplates on the interior and exterior. Vinyl bumper rails and stainless corner guards were provided for protection of the exposed exteriors. The walk-in cooler/freezer pictured also included 3’0″ x 6’8″ high electric sliding doors with treadplate kickplates on the interior and exterior and 14″ x 24″ peep windows. Trim and enclosure panels were provided to close in the joints between walk-ins and building walls for a neat appearance.
The Thermo-Kool TK94BC-2 roll-in blast chiller’s interior finish is a mirrored 304 stainless steel to assist in the sanitation of the unit once the cycle is complete. The unit also consists of a stand-alone uniframe modular chiller system which is fully assembled with electrical power and refrigeration components, a control system based on the latest microcontroller technology, and a food probe and air probe to monitor the temperature and control the unit in automatic mode. The TK94BC-2 roll-in blast chiller has the capacity to accommodate either two angle guide racks, for a total of up to 80 food pans; two universal guide racks, for a total of up to 80 food pans and 40 sheet pans; two combi oven racks or two of any size rack up to 35″ (W) x 38″ (D) x 75″ (H). The unit will blast chill up to 940 lb. of product from 165°F to 37°F within two hours.
Thermo-Kool Customer Account Representative, Allie McCarty, worked on the project with project manager, Cleve Johnson with Hockenbergs Food Service Equipment and Supply, Fargo, North Dakota, and Thermo-Kool Marketing Agent, Scott McBeath with Rockit Sales & Marketing, St. Paul, Minnesota. The consultant on the project was Lona Homersham with Ricca Design Studios, Denver, Colorado.
