Mini Penthouses
Engineered rooftop enclosures designed to safely house industrial refrigeration equipment while improving installation efficiency, access, and long-term system reliability.
The Mini Penthouse
Mini penthouses are purpose-built rooftop enclosures used to house evaporators and associated refrigeration components in a controlled, serviceable environment. Unlike traditional stick-built penthouses constructed in the field, Innovative’s mini penthouses are engineered as integrated system elements, designed to support refrigeration performance, safety, and long-term maintainability.
By relocating critical refrigeration components into compact rooftop enclosures, facilities gain improved access, reduced building penetration complexity, and a more controlled operating environment for equipment exposed to weather, vibration, and rooftop conditions.
A Smarter Alternative to Traditional Rooftop Penthouses
Conventional rooftop penthouses require extensive field coordination, long construction schedules, and custom detailing that varies from project to project. Mini penthouses replace that approach with engineered enclosures that are designed in parallel with the refrigeration system itself.
Each mini penthouse is developed to match the evaporator configuration, piping layout, airflow requirements, and service access needs of the system. This results in a cleaner installation, fewer field modifications, and a more predictable outcome during construction and startup.
Safety and Serviceability
Mini penthouses are designed to create a controlled environment around refrigeration equipment while maintaining clear access for inspection, service, and future maintenance. Safety features and access considerations are incorporated into the enclosure design rather than added later in the field.
Typical design considerations include:
Dedicated access doors and service clearances
Interior grating and walkable service areas
Refrigerant detection and ventilation accommodations
Integrated lighting and power provisions
Clear separation of equipment and piping zones
By enclosing rooftop refrigeration equipment in a defined space, mini penthouses support safer service conditions and more consistent operational oversight.
Flexible Design and Delivery Options
Mini penthouses are delivered as pre-manufactured assemblies based on project requirements, construction sequencing, and rooftop constraints. Enclosure designs are scalable, ranging from compact evaporator housings to multi-unit configurations supporting higher refrigeration loads.
Each mini penthouse is engineered to align with project-specific capacity needs, equipment layout, rooftop structural conditions, architectural considerations, and environmental exposure. Designs can also accommodate applicable wind or seismic requirements when required. This flexibility allows mini penthouses to be applied across new construction, expansions, and retrofit projects without forcing standardized solutions that compromise performance or constructability.
Engineered for System Integration and Long-Term Operation
Mini penthouses are engineered as an extension of the refrigeration system itself, not as standalone rooftop structures. Enclosure design is coordinated with piping layouts, insulation strategy, controls integration, and installation sequencing to ensure equipment placement, routing, and service access are resolved during engineering rather than in the field. This alignment reduces rework, improves installation efficiency, and streamlines commissioning by delivering systems that are ready to connect and operate as intended.
Compared to evaporators installed within the refrigerated space, mini penthouses allow safer access for maintenance.
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