High Performance PIR Insulated Panels for Cold Storage and Industrial Construction
High performance PIR insulated panels are the industry standard for modern cold storage facilities, walk-in chillers, commercial freezers, and hygeinic modular structures across the United Kingdom. At Pirouz Ltd, we supply trade contractors, refrigeration engineers, and facility builders with premium polyisocyanurate modular panels designed for exceptional thermal efficiency, rapid site assembly, and structural reliability. Whether you are constructing a large distribution warehouse, a food processing plant, or a commercial kitchen walk-in store, our PIR sandwich panels deliver superior insulation performance that helps keep operating costs low.
Polyisocyanurate insulation provides one of the best thermal performance-to-thickness ratios available in modern construction materials. By utilizing a closed-cell foam core bonded securely between steel facings, PIR panels allow installers to build highly efficient controlled environments while maximizing usable interior floor space. Based at our Harlow warehouse, Pirouz Ltd maintains an extensive stock profile ready for fast national dispatch to ensure your installation projects remain on schedule and within budget.
Technical Specifications and Performance Characteristics
Our PIR insulated panels are engineered to perform under demanding industrial conditions, meeting strict standards for thermal performance, hygiene, and mechanical strength. We provide options suitable for internal partition walls, external cladding, suspended ceilings, and insulated floor installations.
- Thermal Conductivity: Core closed-cell PIR foam achieves a exceptionally low lambda value of approximately 0.022 W/mK, minimizing heat gain and lowering refrigeration unit workload.
- Facing Materials: Finished with 0.5mm to 0.7mm galvanized steel, coated in food-safe PVC laminate or food-safe polyester paint as standard. Stainless steel options are available for specialized hygienic applications.
- Density and Strength: Polyisocyanurate core density ranges between 38 kg/m³ and 42 kg/m³, offering high compressive strength and dimensional stability across wide temperature ranges.
- Joint Mechanics: Features precision tongue and groove or mechanical cam-lock joint profiles. Cam-locks draw panels tightly together to eliminate thermal bridging and create vapor-tight seals.
- Fire Performance: Formulated with fire retardant additives to achieve Reaction to Fire ratings up to B-s1, d0 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, assisting with local building regulations compliance.
- Standard Modular Widths: Supplied in standard coverage widths of 1000mm and 1150mm, with custom lengths produced to order.
PIR Panel Thickness Options and Application Guide
Selecting the correct core thickness is essential for maintaining strict temperature control, avoiding surface condensation, and optimizing overall energy efficiency. When planning cold room builds, understanding the balance between target operating temperatures and wall thickness is critical for maintaining thermal integrity in cold storage environments.
50mm PIR Insulated Panels
Designed primarily for ambient partition walls, high-temperature chiller rooms, food prep areas, and cleanroom enclosures operating above 2°C. Our range of PIR insulated panels 50mm provides a compact structural barrier that saves valuable floor space while maintaining excellent surface hygiene standards.
80mm PIR Insulated Panels
The standard benchmark choice for walk-in commercial cold stores, butcher chillers, floral holding rooms, and industrial food storage running between -2°C and +4°C. Choosing PIR insulated panels 80mm ensures robust insulation against external ambient heat without requiring excessively bulky wall structures.
100mm PIR Insulated Panels
Engineered specifically for commercial freezers, blast chillers, and severe low-temperature environments operating down to -25°C. Utilizing PIR insulated panels 100mm prevents freeze-thaw degradation, mitigates frost heave risks, and keeps heavy-duty freezing plant running efficiently.
120mm to 150mm Heavy-Duty Freezer Panels
For deep freeze storage, pharmaceutical archives, and extreme low-temperature holding facilities operating down to -40°C, custom core thicknesses up to 150mm are available to maximize energy conservation and preserve product safety.
Advantages of PIR Insulation over EPS and Mineral Wool
When selecting structural insulated panels, polyisocyanurate offers distinct physical and economic benefits over alternative core materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or mineral wool (rockwool).
PIR features a significantly lower thermal conductivity rating than EPS. Consequently, a thinner PIR panel achieves the exact same insulation value as a much thicker EPS panel. This space-saving quality directly increases usable storage volume inside cold store rooms. Furthermore, PIR is a thermoset polymer, meaning it does not melt when exposed to extreme heat, providing superior fire resistance characteristics compared to thermoplastic EPS cores.
While mineral wool excels in acoustic absorption and non-combustibility, it is substantially heavier and features lower thermal efficiency per millimeter. PIR panels are light, rigid, and easier to handle on site, allowing installation teams to erect modular cold stores rapidly without heavy crane lifting gear.
Hygiene, Washdown, and Food Industry Compliance
Hygiene is paramount in commercial catering, meat processing, and pharmaceutical handling. The smooth steel facings of our PIR sandwich panels are coated with a non-porous, chemical-resistant PVC surface that prevents bacterial build-up and resists dirt accumulation.
These food-safe surface finishes tolerate frequent high-pressure washdowns using standard industrial cleaning chemicals and sanitizers. Panel joints can be fully sealed using sanitary silicone or cold room sealant, creating a complete biological barrier that complies with UK Food Standards Agency guidelines and EU hygienic standards.
Accessories, Trims, and Fast Fixings
A complete cold room envelope requires precise fixing accessories to prevent cold bridge pathways and moisture ingress. Pirouz Ltd stocks a comprehensive selection of installation supplies alongside our primary wall and roof panels:
- Internal PVC corner coving and ceiling profiles for seamless hygienic wall-to-floor junctions.
- External aluminum and food-safe white flashings to finish exposed corners and perimeter caps.
- Through-wall pressure fixings, non-conductive floor channels, and heavy-duty ceiling suspension kits.
- Vapour barrier tapes, expanding insulation foams, and low-temperature sealant compounds.
Trade Accounts, Direct Delivery, and Technical Advice
Pirouz Ltd works directly with installation contractors, engineers, and project buyers across the trade sector. We understand that project delays cost money, which is why we maintain large stocks of standard panel sizes, doors, and hardware at our Harlow distribution hub for quick nationwide transport.
Our experienced technical team is available to assist with panel quantity take-offs, thermal calculation queries, and joint specification advice. Registered trade buyers benefit from competitive trade pricing, volume discounts, and reliable scheduled site deliveries across mainland Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the thermal conductivity (U-value) of PIR insulated panels?
PIR foam features a thermal conductivity (lambda value) as low as 0.022 W/mK. Overall U-values depend on panel thickness. For example, an 80mm panel provides an approximate U-value of 0.26 W/m²K, while a 100mm panel achieves roughly 0.21 W/m²K, ensuring compliance with strict building performance criteria.
Are PIR panels suitable for both wall and ceiling installations?
Yes. PIR insulated panels possess high structural rigidity, making them suitable for vertical wall assemblies, internal partition walls, and horizontal ceiling spans. Long ceiling spans may require external steel suspension tees depending on design loads and span distances.
Can PIR panels be cut to size on site?
PIR panels can be easily cut on site using fine-toothed circular saws or jigsaw equipment fitted with steel-cutting blades. Exposed edges should be treated with anti-corrosion touch-up paint and sealed correctly during installation to maintain structural integrity and moisture protection.
What fire performance rating do your PIR panels possess?
Our panels are manufactured using fire-retardant polyisocyanurate cores that do not propagate flame spread or melt under heat exposure. Most standard panels achieve European Class B-s1, d0 reaction to fire ratings, meeting standard safety requirements for commercial and industrial buildings.
Request a Quotation for Your Next Project
Need competitive pricing or technical guidance for your upcoming cold room build or industrial partition project? Contact the specialists at Pirouz Ltd today. Call our technical sales team on 02037508888, visit our facility at Unit 10, Harlow Mill Business Centre, Harlow, CM20 2FD, or submit your specification online to receive a fast, free trade quote.