A storage facility is among the most crucial components of many types of business, whether the goods it shops are perishable or not. Many storage facilities face severe heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) obstacles, specifically in very hot and cold seasons, and it may appear difficult to preserve the integrity of the stored products.

While these are great tips for improving your ventilation, of course, nothing beats getting the job done right by professionals. We had a chat with some of our industrial clients and business owners and everyone in Brisbane has been recommending Sigrist Design. With their extensive experience with ventilation, dust collection and HVAC systems, they don’t just install it all, but they also can provide custom designs to suit your warehouse, which is a big bonus if your current system just isn’t working. So click here to check them out as our clients had nothing but good things to say about them.

But if you’re not looking to change your ventilation systems just yet, with the best heating and cooling planning and strategizing, you can effectively maintain your storage facility. Here are some useful tips on enhancing ventilation.

1. Remove hot air during the day

A great deal of things occurs during the day in a warehouse. The machinery being utilized raises the temperature level. When ambient temperatures are currently high in the summer, it just contributes to the heat If the storage facility is overheated, products will perish and employees might feel uncomfortable, which decreases their efficiency.

Improving ventilation may consist of opening windows during the day and using portable industrial fans. The fans will help (a) eliminate hot air, (b) keep all air moving and (c) cool any spaces where air conditioning units are not working properly.

2. Shut off the source of the heat

This is the simplest and most practical suggestion to keep the heat down in a warehouse. Many devices warm up throughout the day. The best method to keep things cool is to switch them off at night when they are not in use.

When electronics cool down during the night, they can trigger a considerable temperature level drop and any heat that was still trapped inside the structure will leave, leaving the warehouse cool.

3. Benefit from the cool air at the night

Attempting to keep a warehouse cool using just HVAC systems can easily sustain high electrical expenses. Another way to lower the temperature level in the storage facility is night purging: stack ventilation where hot air will rise, so cold air will take its place, leaving the interior of the storage facility cool enough for the following day.

4. Set up a white roofing system

Another efficient strategy for keeping the air in a storage facility cool, particularly throughout hot, warm summer season days, is to change a storage facility’s dark roof with a white one. The advantage is it reflects the sun’s rays, minimizing the amount of heat that gets soaked up into the building.

5. Invest in insulation

While lots of people fret about the most popular days of the year when excessive heat can get caught inside the storage facility, they might forget when it cools off in winter, some products might not stand up to the severe cold of the winter season, either.

When it is cold, examine the ability of the warehouse to maintain heat. Look for add-on and alternative insulation systems that will help keep the structure warmer in the winter if you need to make modifications.

6. Install destratification fans

Destratification fans are an inexpensive, energy-efficient and basic way to regulate the temperature in a storage facility. They are specifically created to mix the air or recycle in a structure to adjust temperatures, getting rid of concentrated hot and cold areas, while also minimizing energy intake by 20%.

The most popular types are:

High-velocity axial fan– Air is dispersed at high speeds to the floor of the storage facility. These designs are best utilized with ceiling heights of 32 to 65 ft.

Low-velocity propeller fan– Air is circulated at lower speeds. These designs are best used for ceilings heights of 16 to 32 ft.

7. Control humidity

Another common ventilation concern in warehouses is humidity. The warehouse can end up being uncomfortable for personnel and the quality of saved goods can be jeopardized when there is extreme humidity in the ambient environment.

Occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements suggest indoor humidity should not exceed 55%. If you can see water droplets forming around window frames– particularly metal ones– and glass panes, then the humidity is too high.

If a humidity concern is not attended to in a prompt manner, it can lead to the development of mould and mildew, damaging both stored products and the storage facility itself. The cooling system needs to mitigate excess humidity and alert you when the buildup of wetness is too expensive. Industrial dehumidifiers are another economical and reliable way to handle humidity.

8. Deal with fumes

Another common problem in warehouses is the production of fumes by powered devices, such as forklifts. If trapped indoors, these fumes can be very harmful.

Portable fans have the ability to do some air cleanup and flow, but you will also need to use portable air scrubbers for parts of the warehouse that fans can not adequately reach.

9. Prepare for each season

When it is hot outside, storage facilities typically come across problems with excessive humidity and fumes. When it cools off for fall and winter, there may instead be problems with indoor air quality (IAQ) and insulation. It is important to prepare and expect these problems before they occur.

Spring is the time for the following assessments:

  • Will the HVAC system keep the storage facility sufficiently cool on the hottest days?
  • Are air filters in a position to tidy up dust, fumes and other pollutants in the air?
  • Is the roofing system allowing more heat than it should?

When the weather condition cools down in the fall, it is time for these checks:

  • Does the heater preserve indoor temperature levels and protect the stability of the saved products?
  • Does the insulation make sure warm air is trapped inside the warehouse, to prevent overworking the heater?

10. Count on an expert

Most importantly, ensure a reputable heating and cooling maintenance specialist is available to deal with all concerns connected with the storage facility’s fluctuating temperature levels and IAQ. Regular maintenance is the only way to ensure storage and working conditions stay beneficial and any issues are resolved before equipment warrants replacement. So remember to check out Sigrist Design if you’re looking for a customised project and find out more.