Refrigeration System Installation | Grocery Store

Turnkey CO2 Refrigeration Installation for a National Specialty Grocery Retailer

Delivered on Time, Every Time

When BSM Construction received approval to build a new Phoenix-area location for a leading specialty grocery retailer, they faced a tight schedule, CO2 refrigeration complexity and a fixed grand opening date that could not shift. They needed a refrigeration partner capable of delivering a full turnkey installation—including a complete Acorn Evac vacuum plumbing system—under fast-track conditions.

CoolSys delivered the entire refrigeration and controls scope, including piping, insulation, rack installation, Hill Phoenix case installation, EMS controls, start-up, commissioning and installation of the Acorn Evac vacuum waste system used for case drainage. Despite delays and shifting timelines, CoolSys kept the project on track and ensured the store opened on time—with record-breaking customer turnout.

The Problem

BSM Construction required an experienced refrigeration contractor who could:

Begin work within a few weeks
Execute a full CO2 refrigeration system installation
Lay all the pipes and ensure proper insulation
Integrate Acorn Evac’s vacuum-based drainage system, eliminating conventional plumbing
Install, test and commission all cases, racks and EMS controls
Do whatever it takes to meet a non-negotiable opening date

The retailer did not move their opening dates. The general contractor needed a partner who could handle complexity, absorb lost time and coordinate daily with other trades.

CoolSys was the only partner with the scale, specialized CO2 expertise and operational speed required to execute successfully under these conditions.

The Solution

CoolSys mobilized just four weeks after award and delivered a complete, integrated refrigeration solution—including the entire Acorn Evac system installation.

Scope of Work Delivered

3,100 ft of refrigeration piping installed and insulated
28 Hill Phoenix refrigerated cases installed (medium + low temp) and commissioned
1 CO2 rack installed, commissioned
Full Acorn Evac System installed, including vacuum lines, manifolds & case connections
Full building management system installation & calibration
All refrigerated cases EMS installation & calibration

Acorn Evac System Installation

The retailer used Acorn’s vacuum plumbing system for case drainage—eliminating the need for traditional plumbing trades. CoolSys self-performed the entire Acorn Evac installation, including:

Routing vacuum piping
Installing vacuum collection infrastructure
Ensuring proper drainage connections to every case
Integration with refrigeration piping drops
System testing, leak checks and final commissioning

Execution Excellence

CoolSys coordinated closely with BSM Construction and all trades, including:

Rephasing work as delays from other trades arose
Using all-terrain lifts to complete overhead piping before slab pours
Ensuring electricians had access to areas in the proper sequence
Using ProjectMates to document daily progress and support GC visibility

Accelerated Work

Whenever delays threatened the schedule, the CoolSys team accelerated work—often completing three weeks of installation in one week.

The Impact

CoolSys delivered a fully functional, finely tuned refrigeration environment—including the Acorn Evac system and full EMS controls—without a single delay to the store’s hard opening date.

Key Outcomes

Expert team deployment within weeks
Store opened on time as scheduled
Achieved one of the highest-attended grand openings for the retailer
CO2 rack and refrigeration systems performed flawlessly
Acorn Evac system operated reliably, enabling high-performance case drainage without traditional plumbing
EMS provided real-time visibility and control for both building systems and refrigerated cases
BSM Construction praised CoolSys for responsiveness, collaboration and ability to adapt to fast-moving field conditions