Introduction
In almost any business or company, a warehouse is a very important pillar. It is an integral factor in the supply chain model. They rely on warehouses for distributing products from one location to another.
Warehouse ventilation is a factor to take into consideration in managing a warehouse. Not only is it something to consider, but it is one of the most important ones as well. This is because the HVAC system can directly affect the goods and employees in a warehouse. With the right decisions and good HVAC planning, warehouse ventilation can be properly maintained and make your warehouse have a good environment.
Don’t worry though, however. Warehouse ventilation may come with some challenges. But that doesn’t mean there’s no way to address these issues. Luckily, this article has everything you need to know.
Temperature Control in a Warehouse
Temperature control is one of the biggest maintenance priorities in a warehouse. The temperature, high or low, can have a direct impact in a warehouse. Heat may cause the employee’s ethic and performance to deteriorate due to stress. Not only that, extreme cold poses a huge health risk as well. This includes having a big chance of cold-related illnesses to the employees.
Aside from that, the change in temperature every time the season changes may also cause damages and losses to stocked goods. This leads to customers receiving damaged and unsatisfactory goods.
However, warehouses differ as well per building. What makes a warehouse different from the other is what is stored in it and how its buildings are being used. Some warehouses have products that require low temperatures.
Warehouse temperature maintenance and overall temperature control have their complications. Open points in warehouses often make temperature maintenance a little bit harder. Whether it needs heat or cold, depending on the requirement of a warehouse. Large doors and windows for example cause air leaks. To further add, maintaining the temperature in a vast space is expensive.
How to Improve Warehouse Ventilation?
As stated earlier, every warehouse needs a sound HVAC system for workers, equipment, and stocks. It helps the warehouse reduce the build-up of heat, humidity and exterminates hazardous fumes out. But proper implementation of an HVAC system requires comprehensive planning and strategizing. To keep proper warehouse ventilation, here are some suggestions that can be of a guide.
Remove Excessive Heat.
Machines that are working through out the day releases heat. It affects the proper warehouse ventilation by adding up into the ambiance temperature which is already high enough during the summer. To solve this, you must take note of moving the air around by using portable fans. Spaces with installed air conditioning will also benefit from this as the portable fans will help cool them.
Turn Off the Equipment
In a warehouse, there would be some machinery required to operate all day. This also contributes as well to an increase in temperature. To solve this, the machines can be turned off in the evening. In the process, it would help cool them off and lower the hot temperature inside. The inside temperature will noticeably drop due to the electronic items cooling off at night. The trapped heat during the day in the warehouse will exit and make the warehouse a lot cooler.
Eliminate Fumes
Another common problem is fumes emitted by high-power equipment. Forklifts are usually the cause of this. Fumes trapped indoors can prove to become a harmful issue. Luckily, portable fans can also help solve this case, as they can neutralize the effect. Sometimes for areas that the fans can not reach, air scrubbers may be a good addition to your warehouse ventilation system.
A Destratification Fan
These kinds of fans will regulate the hot climate inside the warehouse. They are special fans because they are relatively simple, inexpensive, and easy to install and operate. These fans recycle fair by mixing both hot and cold air to equalize temperatures. They also help eliminate the extreme cold or hot spots in a warehouse. They also use less energy by reducing the use of it by 20%.
Cool Night Air
Another thing that can help is sometimes switching off the HVAC system and taking care of the cooler night atmosphere. This helps to keep things in proper perspective. Electricity bills can be saved with this method. Another thing that can also help is night purging. Stack ventilation will make the hot air trapped in the place rise and escape, and in place, cooler air comes. By doing this, the warehouse can become cool and not only that but also fit for stacking more goods the next day.
Insulation Installment
Warehouses with extra insulation keep goods from going bad in extremely cold conditions. Since a lot of people only focus on keeping things refrigerated so they do not rot or contaminate, it is not usually thought of. With insulation, warehouses will be kept relatively warmer. It also helps preserve items that have a chance of withering off owing to extreme cold conditions.
White Roof
A white roof over our heads in a warehouse can help make things cooler. Instead of using a black roof, a white roof proves extra beneficial, especially during the summer. This is because a white roof helps reflect the heat and keeps the sun rays away from the warehouse, whereas a black roof merely absorbs the heat. With a white roof, the heat energy that is usually absorbed during the day in the building is then reduced. However, before replacing it, you must first assess your existing roof’s ability to absorb or reflect heat.
Manage Humidity Well
Perhaps one of the most common issues in a warehouse (if not the most common) is the humidity. When humidity is at the top of its peak, it poses a huge threat to the quality of the products stored inside. According to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), humidity levels of over 55% can be harmful to the operation of a warehouse. Droplets forming around glass panes and window frames, especially the metallic made frames, are a sign of rising humidity levels. If humidity is not managed in time, it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. This can lead to damaged stored goods as well as the integrity of the warehouse. To reduce the chance of rising humidity, installing industrial dehumidifiers can help.
A Season Ready Warehouse
There are 4 seasons in a whole year in most countries. These seasons don’t share the same ranges of temperatures therefore different maintenance settings should be planned and implemented in warehouses. Summer causes high temperatures, winter causes high humidity levels. May it be heat or cold, preparing your HVAC system ahead of time could save your warehouse from damages that the current season may cause.
Monitor your warehouse through AKCP Wireless Tunnel Sensors. These sensors can be easily installed around your warehouse and solve your monitoring needs from temperature, humidity inside the facility to air quality and airflow for your HVAC unit.
Wireless Tunnel sensors have a long-range battery life of up to 10 years. Distribute sensors around the warehouse and on racking. The sensor data is regularly logged and broadcast to the nearest Wireless Tunnel Sensor Gateway. You may view and monitor sensor network data on the AKCPro Server Centralized Monitoring Software.
For warehouse monitoring inquiries you may reach AKCP Monitoring Solutions through their sales team: [email protected]
