COMMERCIAL FOOD REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR SUPERMARKETS: AN INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIONAL SAFETY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS

Abstract

This study analyzes the interrelationships between regulatory compliance, operational safety, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability applied to commercial refrigeration systems in the supermarket food retail segment. The cold storage facilities of these installations stand out as a strategic and indispensable mechanical element for food safety integrity, accounting for a critical portion that ranges between 40% and 60% of the total electricity demand required by the stores. Methodologically, the investigation was designed as applied research with a qualitative approach and exploratory-descriptive purpose, structured as a bibliographic, documentary, and normative review of works published between 2015 and 2025. The results demonstrate that strict compliance with the regulatory framework, encompassing guidelines such as ABNT NBR 16069, ISO 5149, ASHRAE Standards, and the Regulatory Standards of the Brazilian Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), acts in a multidimensional way to mitigate mechanical, electrical, and chemical risks, extending the lifespan of machinery and preventing financial losses in the cold chain. Additionally, it is observed that the technological transition imposed by the Kigali Amendment promotes the use of natural refrigerants, particularly carbon dioxide in transcritical regimes. The integration of these fluids with intelligent thermal modulation algorithms reduces Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) rates by more than 60% and generates immediate electricity savings exceeding 20%. It is concluded that the articulation between good engineering practices and ESG agenda criteria provides organizations with significant mitigation of environmental liabilities and cost optimization, consolidating ecodesign as a factor of competitiveness in the sector.