Australian fan and air movement specialist highlights how summer conditions in the food processing sector can bring hidden problems - especially if the business has been operating with old fans for a long period of time.
Fanquip, which has specialist divisions in most industry sectors including food processing, notes that with the summer months coming there has been a spike in demand for stainless-steel air circulators. This, of course, is to combat the higher rates of exhaust heat and circulating heat in the workplace; but an added concern by most callers identifies outdated, rust-prone equipment that doesn’t satisfy modern industry standards.
In particular, Fanquip says companies should be looking at technologies with IP56 rating which are also hose-proof products, therefore allowing a complete wash-down of equipment at regular intervals without causing any damage to it whatsoever. The fact that so many old fans which aren't stainless-steel are in existence in the Australian food processing sector is a reason for high concern.
Combatting heat and every other challenge of that nature is the obvious demand placed on fans, but when there is no rust inhibitor such as that provided by stainless-steel the hidden problems are alarming. For example, a lot of personnel are working in hot environments such as the meat processing sector, cooking plants and other operations of this type where cleaning equipment using steam and chemicals is commonplace.
By using rust-prone equipment, a lot of businesses are unwittingly rusting out their fans and this does have the potential to contaminate food stocks. And the last thing any business wants to encounter is a rusted fan blade that gradually weakens eventually flies off at a very high speed. This makes the potential for an accident - or even a fatality - much higher. Fanquip has also seen instances where businesses attempt some level of self repair on fan equipment; but this is a level of technology that should be maintained by experts in the field.
Fanquip’s completely stainless-steel air circulators include stainless steel guards, stainless-steel motors and stainless steel brackets for complete rust proofing and cleanliness. Any components that are not stainless steel are made of inert plastic, so as to completely eliminate any potential to cause contamination to the product it is working around. Blade diameters available are 460mm, 630mm and 810mm.
These units are believed to possess the highest air output of any air circulator on the Australian market. Compared to many options on the market (which are essentially cheap alternatives), the Fanquip stainless steel air circulators have a very long lifespan. Because of the hosing aspect, they expected to last for many years.
It is a completely relocatable product, therefore allowing the user to reposition the item as often as necessary to where it is most effective. Because of the threat of airborne spores, the food processing sector often cannot afford to take the risk with air-conditioned equipment. This makes the Fanquip air circulator the obvious solution; and to have the advantage of stainless-steel that lasts for years is a major asset to any operation.