Are you ready for an attack from summer heat? NOAA has forecasted above average summer temperatures for much of the US. This means that millions of workers will be at higher risk of heat-related injuries and illnesses. If your facility is not prepared to protect your workers from record temperatures, now is the time to build your defense against summer heat.
First Line of Defense
The first line of defense is to provide sufficient air flow through your facility. The goal of any general industrial ventilation system is to make the inside temperature the same as the outside temperature. Meeting the goal requires providing sufficient air flow to remove the solar load and any internal heat loads. The simplest industrial ventilation system uses exhaust fans to remove hot air at the roof level and have adequate openings, such as doors, windows or louvers, at ground level to allow ambient air to enter.
Second Line of Defense
Once your facility has sufficient air flow, the second line of defense against summer heat is to install spot cooling fans. Although they won’t lower the ambient temperature, the air movement that spot cooling fans create evaporates sweat. This can make the temperature feel 8 to 10 degrees F cooler. HVLS, tube axial and floor fans are all good solutions for spot cooling, depending on the application.
Final Line of Defense
The final line of defense is to use air conditioning or indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) to reduce the air temperature. Of these two options, indirect evaporative cooling (IEC) is the better option because it has both lower upfront costs and lower operating costs.
Financial Payback
Building your defense against summer heat not only lowers the risk of heat-related injuries and illnesses, it has a financial payback. When temperatures exceed 77 degrees F, worker productive decreases by 1% for each 1 degree temperature increase. Any Investment in ventilation equipment that reduces the temperature inside your facility will pay for itself with higher productivity and potentially greater employee retention.
Go Solar
A great solution for the first line of defense is to use the Eldridge Solar Fan to exhaust hot air. High summer temperatures will also cause a strain on the electrical grid. By using the Eldridge Solar Fan, you can defend against both high temperatures and high electricity bills.
Conclusion
Now is the time to build your defense against summer heat. We carry stock fans that can be installed immediately to protect your workers and improve their productivity. Contact an Eldridge ventilation expert to start building your defense today and create a successful environment in your facility.