The base controls the alignment of every wall, ceiling joint and door.
In short: the floor should be level within the project tolerance, commonly checked against ±3 mm per metre, and must be dry, clean and load-bearing.
Check the whole footprint with a laser or long straightedge. Remove high spots and correct low areas with a suitable permanent method. Do not rely on scattered packing pieces unless the floor system explicitly allows them; Algor load ratings can be reduced when spacers are used.
For a no-floor chiller, verify hygiene, sealing and thermal suitability of the slab. For a freezer, confirm insulation, vapour control and protection against ground frost.
Floor requirements
Floor faults are the single most common — and most expensive — root cause of a failed install.
| Requirement | Specification | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Levelness | Level within ±3 mm per metre (laser level or long spirit level) | A sloping base throws walls out of plumb, opens joints, and breaks seals — cold air escapes |
| Surface | Clean, dry, smooth, swept; no oil, grease, or standing water | Floor panels must sit flat without rocking; debris in joints prevents full cam engagement |
| Load capacity | Must carry room + contents + equipment + personnel. MTH requires the supporting surface to be level and load-rated by a qualified specialist for the mass and maximum load of the room, with structural calculations to local building regulations | Collapse or deflection of the building structure is outside the manufacturer's liability — the calculation is the customer's responsibility |
| Drainage | No water may collect beneath floor panels | Standing water below the insulation causes corrosion, frost heave, and odour |
The floor panel carries its own published rating, which is a different figure from what the slab beneath it can take. MTH supplies three types: pedestrian 1,500 kg/m² for foot traffic and shelving, reinforced 3,000 kg/m² for hand pallet trucks and pallets, and drive-in 4,000 kg/m² for forklifts — with a loading ramp available where forklifts or pallet trucks enter the room. Match the type to the traffic the room will actually see; the full static, dynamic and point-load figures are in the manufacturer documentation: Download the documents.
If the floor is out of tolerance, correct it before delivery — typically with a self-levelling compound for broad slope, or shims under individual floor panels for local dips.
Do you need floor panels?
Insulated floor panels go down first and are essential for all freezers and for any room built over an unconditioned or heated space. They may be omitted only for chillers sitting on a suitable, already-insulated, level, sealed slab.
In the Frostbox range the "without floor" option is offered for the Cold Room 80 mm configuration only; freezing rooms always include an insulated floor. Omitting the floor lowers cost and removes the threshold step, but it shifts responsibility for insulation, levelness, and moisture sealing onto the building slab — confirm that specification first.
See Panel specifications for thickness and floor-panel detail.
Related articles
- Before you begin: site preparation overview
- Space and delivery access requirements
- Utility positions: power, condenser, drainage
- Tools, equipment and lifting safety
- Panel specifications
Unsure whether your slab is level or load-rated enough? Send your drawings and we'll review them before delivery — contact [email protected].
