Depending on one’s location, it may feel as if winter will never end. Don’t fret; warmer weather is on its way, the same as all years past. In what seems like a blink of an eye, our cold weather complaints will be a distant memory. Spring is around the corner! It may be tempting to relax and enjoy the newfound reprieve, but we need to use this time to prepare for the inevitable oppressive summer heat that is surely ahead.
Spring Maintenance for Industrial Fans
Spring is a great time to perform annual maintenance on most air-moving equipment used for building comfort (hvls fans, directional fans, mobile fans, exhaust fans, supply fans). Now is the best time to identify issues that may result in essential comfort systems failing when they are most needed. Remember, summer is the peak season for parts, services, and new products.
Most industrial-grade fans made by leading USA fan manufacturers require limited ongoing maintenance. Maintenance details are usually accessible in the installation/operation manuals that accompany the equipment when shipped. If you no longer have access to those materials, the information should be available on the manufacturer’s website.
There are actions you should consider even if your industrial fans require no specific maintenance.
These simple steps can make a big difference:
- Inspect all visible bolts, welds, safety cables, guy wires, and mounting points. Ensure bolts are torqued to specification and show no signs of corrosion or loosening. Make sure safety cables are still properly routed and secured. Guy wires should be taut, secure, and in good condition. Make sure there are no obvious changes or issues with major mounting points (Upper mounts attaching the fan to the building, middle and lower points attaching to the fan motor and/or housing).
- Inspect all wiring connections. Make sure all connectors are properly connected and locked. Moderately tug on each connection to ensure it is adequately secured. Inspect all exposed wiring for visual damage.
- Inspect blades and blade connection points. Make sure the blades are securely attached. Visually inspect each blade and connecting points for cracks or other abnormalities. Clean each blade using a soft cloth, removing dust and any excessive buildup. Do not use detergents or cleaners.
Prevent Sweating Slabs In Spring and Early Summer
Increasing temperatures during the Spring months often cause condensation issues in buildings with concrete floors. When the indoor air temperature rises significantly over a short period of time, the much colder concrete slab will cool the boundary layer of air just above the slab to or below the dew point temperature. This results in condensation forming on the floor, also known as sweating slab.
Use your industrial fans as a means of prevention by allowing them to run 24/7. The air movement from the industrial fan moves air across the floor, disrupting the boundary layer of cooler air just above the concrete slab. This disruption prevents the air from reaching the dew point temperature and prevents the condensation process. Most industrial fans made by a reputable manufacturer are designed for around-the-clock operation and consume a relatively insignificant amount of electricity.
Keep Your Building Cooler Longer With Night Flushing
During the Spring and early Summer months, significantly lower nighttime temperatures are common. Some locations will encounter a 20+ degree temperature decrease at night, which presents a perfect opportunity for using what is often referred to as night flushing.
Night flushing is a very simple but effective building management protocol. When the temperature is much cooler at night, open the building as much as possible and turn on all ventilation equipment. Use the cooler outside air to flush out the warmer inside air. In a well-ventilated building, you may be able to reduce the indoor temperature down to the lower outside temperature (this is highly dependent on internal heat loads and ventilation rates). As the outdoor temperatures begin to rise during the day, you want to maintain the cooler inside temperatures for as long as possible. This is accomplished by closing the building as much as possible and limiting ventilation rates to whatever is most appropriate for acceptable air quality.
Use Industrial circulating fans to keep breezes moving throughout the facility, keeping everyone cooler and less likely to open doors prematurely. Do not resume higher ventilation rates and open doors until the indoor temperature rises to match the outdoor temperature. Effective implementation of this protocol often results in a significant reduction in the average temperature for daytime hours.
About Super Duty Fans
Founded by Phil and Kelly Eggers, Super Duty is on a mission to make the highest-quality industrial fans accessible to businesses of all sizes. Their fans are handcrafted in Texas, USA, using the highest-quality metal components. You won’t find cheap plastics or low-cost composites in these fans. They are called Super Duty for a reason!
Phil and Kelly did not grow up dreaming of the industrial fan business, but they did dream of being entrepreneurs and living the American Dream. They discovered fans together and have committed themselves, and their nest egg, to building this premier industrial fan company. Both came from highly successful corporate careers and now implement their knowledge to provide a wonderful product and service experience for their customers.
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