February 2022

D ropping the internal temperature of a building dramatically in the winter or raising it in the summer because of traffic going in and out of a building can have a major impact on the processes inside of a factory. For example, temperature fluctuations in a food factory could cause goods to spoil, or wood to warp when manufacturing wood products. Not only that, but workers inside the factory can be affected by poor conditions. Below are the top three tips to control the temperature in your building: 1.Check your doors One of the easiest ways to raise the temperature in a warehouse in the winter is to keep doors closed when not in use. Unfortunately, this is not possible in heavy traffic areas such as loading bays where a standard roller shutter is installed. A roller shutter can take too long to open and close and does not have the capability to perform multiple operations per hour. The shutter is then left open causing cold/hot air to enter the building, counteracting any heating/cooling systems in place. Installing a high-speed door is a simple solution to this. The fast vertical operation of a high-speed roll-up door helps to conserve the †heat inside of a building in colder climates and when air conditioning is installed it will contain the cool air within the building in warmer climates. The fast automatic open and close action also helps to facilitate a throughflow of 36 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk February 2022 Handling & Safety Matters Focus on: Loading Bays & Doors Traffic going in and out of the building means large openings are often left open, dropping the internal temperature of the building dramatically in the winter or raising it in the summer. Hart Doors highlights to PWE the top three tips to control the temperature in your building. Three tips to control the internal temperature in your factory traffic to increase productivity. High-speed doors such as Hart’s Speedor Storm can be used in conjunction with a roller shutter to maintain security at night when the shutter is closed and maintain internal temperatures during the day when the shutter is left open exposing the building to the elements. 2. Improve airflow within the building It is a challenge to maintain a steady airflow inside of a building due to large open spaces, high ceilings and buildings that have more than one opening. Improving the way air moves through your building can make a substantial difference to the overall climate in your facility. In processes where specific temperatures are required such as the food industry or manufacturing, the best option to combat this is to compartmentalise the building. Internal high-speed doors work at higher operating speeds than a roller shutter or sectional overhead door. They can sustain a high number of opening and closing cycles over a long period. The compartmentalisation serves to reduce air currents within a building to improve working processes. 3. Install heaters/coolers Placing heaters or air conditioning units in areas where there are workers is a great way to ensure the employees are comfortable in their working