About Dehumidification Contingency Planning in Industrial Settings

Dehumidifiers control moisture and prevent the development of damp, mould and condensation in buildings. They are effective at taking moisture out of the air and can be used in industrial, commercial and domestic settings to maintain desired humidity levels.

How dehumidifiers help to protect goods
Manufacturing companies in the food and beverage industries, chemical coating companies, pharmaceutical and medical companies usually need to maintain on-site humidity at a certain level. This can be critical in ensuring their goods are processed in the correct way and remain preserved when stored. Dehumidifiers will be used to achieve this.

Most companies will have dehumidifiers permanently on site, but these can breakdown. This makes the option to quickly and easily rent dehumidifiers from a dehumidifier hire specialist an invaluable alternative – the most suitable rented models can be delivered, positioned and up-and-running at a manufacturer’s premises in just a few hours.

The benefits of hiring dehumidifiers are numerous, in fact:

· Rather than having to increase indoor temperature in an industrial setting (to try to alleviate the problems moisture can cause), a rented dehumidifier can do the job at much less cost, and by using less energy, too

· Where the correct level of moisture is required to store products or improve processes, a hired dehumidifier can create the stable environment needed, on a temporary or long-term basis

· Hired dehumidifiers can help deliver a longer life for operating equipment at manufacturing plants (where damp and moisture can gradually corrode internal mechanisms and/or external casing, for example)

Also, production factories often have systems where all their equipment is thoroughly washed down at the end of each day. This can cause problems the next day if everything is not dry. For example, a cake manufacturing factory that, at the end of the working day, steams down trays and conveyor belts (to remove all food residue), can find that the trays will often still contain moisture the following morning. This means an arduous and time-consuming routine of manually drying the equipment.

By hiring dehumidifiers and leaving them running overnight, by the next day all production machinery will be ready for use.

Contingencies offer peace of mind
Having a contingency plan in place so that you can rent dehumidifiers is the key to avoiding a catastrophe. Devising a plan is usually a fast and straightforward procedure, but it can offer a site manager peace of mind in the short and long-term.

An experienced dehumidification specialist will not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to solving humidity issues in industrial environments; they will understand and recognise that every site is different, and that every job may require specific 'add-ons' (and the most suitable portable dehumidification machines, of course).

At their depots across the country, as well as always having in stock a full range of current dehumidifier unit, they will also have a comprehensive assortment of accessories that can ensure every eventuality can be met. From extended duct lengths, thermostats and humidistats to circulation fans, the right tools will be made available to expedite the drying process.

The formulation of a contingency plan will begin with a site visit to assess the scale of the work, power supplies; dehumidification levels required and site accessibility. The specialist dehumidifier rental company will then carefully formulate a plan so that if the ‘unthinkable’ happens and there is a fixed dehumidification system failure at any time, the hire units can be bought on site within a matter of hours.

Why dehumidification is preferred over an emergency heating solution
Finally, compared to emergency heating of damp areas, dehumidification is a more natural way to dry and is ultimately gentler, meaning there will be no damage to goods or building fabric. Materials can crack and split if a too-concentrated amount of heat is applied).

Dehumidification is also undoubtedly the most energy-efficient method of drying available. It offers a significantly lower cost alternative to drying by heating and ventilation – with the added convenience of less equipment on site and no fuel deliveries. Combine this with low supervision, 24/7 operation and no compromise on site security during overnight operation in an industrial setting, and hiring dehumidifiers has to be the best solution for manufacturing companies everywhere with a need for emergency humidity control.

Having a contingency plan in place means the moist suitable dehumidifier(s) can be delivered quickly and without fuss – meaning site managers can remained focused upon other aspects of the industrial processes for which they are responsible, whilst their on-site dehumidification is completely and expertly taken care of.

Article submitted by Steve Reeve, Sales Director at Andrews Sykes. With over 25 years’ experience, Andrews Sykes provides dehumidifier hire services for the the industrial and manfucating sector, using machinery sourced from the world’s top manufacturers. For more information visit andrews-sykes.com