Climatic Chamber Configurator
Discover the Climatic Chamber Configurator
Our guide to choosing the climate chamber best suited to your needs.
Walk-in Climatic Chambers = Accessible Climatic Chambers
You've probably read the term "walk-in" associated with a climate test chamber: what is it?
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Simply put, a walk-in chamber is a chamber that is large enoughthat you can literally walk right into it.
For this reason we could also define this type of instrument as climatic chambers .
Walk-in Chambers: Features
Walk-in chambers can be either thermostatically controlled or climatically controlled, like standard climatic chambers. The former allows you to control and manage only the temperature, while the latter also allows you to manage humidity.
In addition to these parameters, manufacturers may also require CO2 control and lighting management, which we will see below.
The walk-in chambers are managed by a control panel which, for operator convenience, can be positioned externally.
The volumes of a walk-in chamber, being outside of common standards, are usually designed according to specifications defined directly by the customer, based on:
- space inside the laboratory
- specific type of application
In most cases, these accessible chambers are made of prefabricated modular panels, to perfectly adapt them to the reference laboratory, rather than the other way around, as happens with standard-volume instrumentation.
In research laboratories, in fact, the space available is not always ideal for a brick chamber.
This flexibility allows walk-in chambers to be set up virtually anywhere and simplifies any ongoing modifications. Furthermore, the size of these environments allows for the in-house construction of test benches within a single climate test.
But the main reason why industries rely on a walk-in chamber to perform their product climate tests is also the most obvious and simple one: the size and weight of the type of sample to be tested.
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Learn more: Discover our large (walk-in) CO2 test chamber, designed and manufactured by FDM Environment Makers.
Walk-in Chambers: Main Applications
Industrial products aren't always tested for their individual components. We're thinking in particular of the following sectors:
- aerospace
- aeronautical
- automotive
- military
These are the primary applications where an accessible chamber may be necessary.
Products from the above-mentioned industries must undergo specific tests that simulate the extreme conditions of their life cycle, such as shocks, impacts, and temperature shocks.
Just think of spacecraft, military aircraft, ships, cars: every detail is crucial to ensuring maximum safety for people and the best performance for the vehicle.
To guarantee the same specifications as a smaller climate chamber, such as the same cooling and heating rates, the same temperature and humidity range, the walk-in chamber requires different and more powerful technology.
However, the use of a walk-in chamber is not necessarily tied to the size of the sample being tested. A walk-in chamber can also be used to test multiple components of different types at the same time.
Walk-in Chambers: Secondary Applications
Growth chambers are special climatic chambers used for the germination of plants, insects, fungi and bacteria of various types.
Planters may require a large amount of space if:
- tests for large propagations, hydroponic germinations and tissue cultures
- different types of plants, to test their reaction in the same environment
- same type of plant, in different conditions, independent of each other
- growth acceleration of a single plant to analyze the results.
Walk-in growth chambers are widely used in agricultural research and may also require the addition of CO2 and other gases.
Above all, the space of these accessible chambers facilitates the positioning of lamps for lighting and the simulation of the day/night cycles necessary for the plant.
Other applications of accessible chambers include:
- safety devices and electrical panels (EN 13849)
- hydraulic equipment (EN 15714)
- large lighting devices
- telecommunication systems
- photovoltaic modules
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FDM Custom Chambers
At FDM, we understand how challenging it is to find a tool that perfectly meets your test requirements. That's why we've worked over the years to provide our customers with customized solutions.
Producing custom climate chambers, built to the customer's exact specifications, has become our strong point: here are some examples of projects already completed.
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Typical Technical Specifications of a Walk-in Chamber
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Internal volume | 1,000 L – 200 m³ (and more, with test trucks) |
| Temperature range | -70°C ÷ +180°C |
| Humidity range | 10 – 98% RH |
| Door height | 2.0 – 3.5 m (operator or forklift access) |
| Electric power | Three-phase 400V, 50-200 kW |
| Installation | On-site assembly, insulated sandwich panels |
| Uniformity | ± 1-2°C (stable chamber, under load) |
Authoritative Sources
- IEC 60068 — Environmental testing — Applicable to walk-in chambers for industrial electronics.
- SAE J1455 — Recommended practice for environmental testing of heavy-duty vehicles (typically walk-in).
- NIST — National Institute of Standards and Technology — Reference for Walk-in Facility Environmental Calibrations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Walk-in Chambers
What volume does a walk-in chamber start from?
Conventionally, walk-in chambers start at 1,000 L, when an operator can physically enter the chamber without bending over. The most common configurations are 2, 5, 10, and 20 m³, but FDM creates walk-in chambers up to 200 m³ and beyond for aerospace (satellites, payloads) and automotive (complete vehicles, semi-trailers) testing.
How much does a walk-in climate chamber cost?
Prices start at €60,000-80,000 for a basic 2 m³ walk-in unit with a -40/+85°C range. They rise to €150,000-300,000 for a 10-20 m³ unit with humidity and an extended -70/+180°C range. Special configurations (walk-in + vibration, walk-in thermo-vacuum, walk-in with automatic defrosting system) can exceed €500,000. The cost depends heavily on volume, temperature range, required ramp rate, and local utilities.
Do you need a dedicated chamber to install a walk-in shower?
Yes. Walk-in units are assembled on-site with insulated sandwich panels and require: usable space of at least 150% of the chamber volume (for maintenance access), a dedicated 50-200 kW three-phase system, a heat extraction system (water-cooled chiller or external condenser), and a load-bearing floor. FDM provides site planning assistance prior to installation.
In which sectors are walk-in chambers most frequently used?
The main sectors are: automotive (testing complete vehicles or large subsystems such as EV battery packs), aerospace (qualification of satellites, avionics, payloads), pharmaceuticals (stability of large batches, up to 20 m³), household appliances (testing refrigerators and washing machines in operation), railways (cabin modules), and energy storage (BESS stations and inverters). The advantage of walk-in testing is being able to test the finished product under real-world operating conditions, without dismantling it.
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