Temporary cold storage for busy trading periods
Rental cold rooms are pre-assembled chilled storage units supplied for short or medium term use. They are used when your own cold room is full, when you are refurbishing a site, or when stock needs to stay at controlled temperature during a busy period. In Durban and along the coast, they are also useful when humidity, heat and load-shedding push the pressure up on existing refrigeration plant.
Our rental units are suited to food businesses, pack houses, butchery operations, catering teams, florists, pharmacies, beverage stores and industrial sites that need temperature control for stock holding. They are supplied as working chilled spaces, with the correct panels, door set, refrigeration plant and controls matched to the job.
- Peak season stock overflow
- Planned maintenance or equipment replacement
- Emergency back-up during breakdowns
- Event storage for food and drinks
- Short-term cold storage at new or temporary sites
Sizes and temperature ranges that suit the job
We supply rental cold rooms in a range of sizes so the space matches your volume and site layout. Smaller units are often used for tight yards or back-of-house areas, while larger rooms suit warehouses, distribution points and production sites. Typical rental options start at around 3 m by 3 m and can be configured much larger, depending on access and the available floor space.
Temperature ranges depend on what you are storing. Chilled rooms are generally set between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius for fresh produce, dairy, drinks and prepared foods. Freezer rental rooms are used for frozen goods and normally run at -18 degrees Celsius or lower. For some applications, we can set a more specific holding range if stock needs a narrow temperature band.
- Chilled holding for fresh stock
- Freezer holding for frozen product
- Single room or multiple connected sections
- Options for internal shelving or open floor storage
- Units suited to inside or outside placement where space allows
Where rental cold rooms work best
These units are used across Durban, Glen Anil, Durban North, Umhlanga, Pinetown, Ballito and the South Coast, with delivery also possible to other KZN coastal areas. They suit businesses that need speed, because the room can be placed on a prepared surface and connected without the delays of a full build.
Rental cold rooms are a good fit for supermarkets, butcheries, restaurants, bakeries, hotels, fishing operations, event venues, agricultural packing areas and factory sites. They are also useful during municipal water interruptions or where there is no permanent storage room yet. If you are operating near the coast, the equipment needs to cope with salt air and high moisture, so the installation and servicing plan must be practical from day one.
For sites with night-time deliveries or limited access, the room can be arranged to suit the movement of trolleys, crates and pallets. We also consider truck access, turning space and the position of drains, cable runs and the main supply board before any placement is confirmed.
Installation, power supply and site preparation
Rental cold rooms need a stable base, enough clearance for access and the right electrical supply. Most units require a level concrete slab or similarly firm surface. If the site is uneven, soft or badly drained, it should be corrected before the room arrives because the doors, seals and refrigeration plant depend on proper alignment.
The power requirement depends on the size of the room and whether it is chilled or frozen. In many cases a dedicated single phase or three phase supply is needed, together with proper isolation and protection. During load-shedding, a generator may be required for continued operation, especially if stock cannot be allowed to warm up. We can discuss practical load plans so the cold room, lights and any extra equipment are supported correctly.
- Level base and clear access path
- Correct electrical capacity and isolation
- Drainage considered where moisture build-up is likely
- Backup power planning for load-shedding periods
- Space for loading, servicing and door opening
Care and servicing during the rental period
A rental cold room works properly only when it is checked and used correctly. Door seals, evaporators, fans and controls should be kept clean and unobstructed. Stock should be arranged with airflow in mind, not packed tightly against the walls or evaporator. Product brought in warm will place extra strain on the system, so goods should be cooled first where possible.
Because these rooms are often used in demanding situations, we offer planned maintenance, breakdown call-outs, temperature logging, leak detection, electrical fault finding and compliance checks during the rental period. That gives you one contact point if the room needs attention. On busy sites, a missed service can turn into lost stock quickly, so it helps to have the system checked before trouble starts.
- Keep doors closed and seals clean
- Do not block airflow around the unit
- Check stock rotation and setpoint readings daily
- Report alarms, ice build-up or unusual noise at once
- Arrange regular checks during long rentals
What to confirm before you place an order
Before ordering a rental cold room, it helps to confirm exactly what you need to store, for how long and at what temperature. We will also need to know whether the room is for chilled or frozen goods, the approximate daily stock movement, and whether loading will happen by hand, trolley or pallet jack. These details affect the size, door position and refrigeration capacity.
Please also check access width, the available footprint, power supply details and whether the site has any rules about noise, operating hours or external equipment placement. On some properties, especially shared industrial yards or managed retail sites, there may be safety or municipal requirements that affect where a temporary unit can stand. If the room must support a high turnover of stock, tell us early so the layout can be planned for practical use, not just storage volume.
- Stock type and target temperature
- Required rental period
- Site access, width and ground conditions
- Electrical supply available on site
- Loading method and daily door use
Key facts
| Product type | Rental cold room and freezer room solutions |
|---|---|
| Temperature range | Chilled 0 to 5 degrees Celsius; freezer to -18 degrees Celsius or lower |
| Typical sizes | From about 3 m x 3 m upwards, subject to site space and access |
| Use period | Short term, seasonal, shutdown cover or longer rental by arrangement |
| Power needs | Dedicated electrical supply, with generator backup recommended for load-shedding |
| Service area | Glen Anil, Durban North, Umhlanga, Pinetown, Ballito and the South Coast |
