Breezair coolers improve working conditions

Clean Air Group installation of Seeley International's Breezair Evaporative Cooling System for HPC Engineering PLC.

Looking after the well-being of its staff is a top priority for HPC Engineering PLC, a major producer of compressed air systems and a specialist in sub-contract manufacturing, so when summer temperatures on the factory floor regularly reached between 30C and 35C, causing its workforce considerable discomfort, HPC looked for a solution to the problem.

Turning to heating, ventilating and air-cooling specialists, Clean Air Group, to resolve the difficulty, the company suggested the installation of Seeley International's Breezair Evaporative Cooling System.

A demonstration of a Breezair cooler to HPC's Chief Executive, Ian Curtis and Engineering Director, Jim Hunter, followed by a site visit to Clean Air's customer, Martin Baker Aircraft Company, to see the cooling system in action, convinced HPC's directors that Breezair would resolve their heat problems.

A site survey of HPC's two production facilities was arranged and it was agreed that for an evaluation period, Breezair coolers would, as a first stage, be fitted into the company's Hydraulic Division manufacturing hall.

This required the installation of nine Breezair coolers onto the roof of the building, with internal vents strategically placed to inject fresh, cool air to a total area of 35,000 square ft.

Such was the success of the first phase, that HPC asked Clean Air to proceed with the installation of a further eight Breezair coolers into the 25,000 square feet Engineering Division's manufacturing hall.

The fitting of Breezair into the two manufacturing halls has reduced summer temperatures by between 8C and 10C.

By introducing a steady flow of fresh, cooled air into the areas the Breezair coolers have helped accelerate the level of hot air extracted from the building, thereby improving the working conditions of the employees.

Temperatures are controlled by programmable regulators, which provide four different control modes.

"Our directors and workforce are very supportive of the Breezair system which has provided a marked improvement in working conditions", says Ray Holt, Maintenance Manager and Safety Officer at HPC Engineering.

"Our workforce is a major factor in the company's success and we firmly believe that they deserve the best possible working environment".

The Breezair system is housed in a simple, clean, ultra-modern designed plastic casing specially developed to withstand all weather conditions.

The Breezair's state-of-the-art components include an innovative water distribution system, which delivers continuous, balanced water coverage to all the pads.

The world-patented system ensures maximum cooling efficiency and minimal maintenance problems.

An innovatively designed, aerodynamic fan provides a constant, even flow of air over the pads to provide a welcome cool breeze with minimal noise and low energy consumption.

Other pioneering components include a highly efficient water pump that guarantees constant and reliable cooling when most needed, and a long lasting variable speed motor that gives maximum comfort level control.

To ensure that the Breezair coolers are always working at maximum efficiency Clean Air's team of mobile engineers will undertake bi-annual maintenance.

"As an ISO 14001 accredited company, HPC Engineering was aware of the environmental benefits of the Breezair system", said Marie Wren, Managing Director of Clean Air Installations.

"Although HPC's primary concern was for the welfare of its employees, the energy saving costs of the Breezair unit was a factor in the company's decision.".

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