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Do you want your employees to perform at their highest efficiency levels? Then having a warehouse built with a proper ventilation system to keep fresh air moving throughout your workspace is incredibly important.
Stagnant air can often be very warm and leave a hanging and stale odor in the air. And working in a warehouse, dust can collect easily on shelves and get kicked up when loading or unloading products. It’s undesirable for those that have to work in it, and it makes your business look bad if you have visitors. There are lots of ways to ventilate a warehouse to keep that air fresh and breathable. Here are the most effective ways.
Top 10 Warehouse Ventilation Tips
Depending on the type of warehouse you’re working in or managing, not every idea will apply or work for your warehouse. You may need to experiment to find the best way to get the job done.
1. Remove Hot Air During the Day
The workday and daylight hours, in general, are likely going to be when you need the most help keeping your warehouse ventilated and cool. When everyone who works in your warehouse is at their highest energy levels, the conditions in the warehouse will make the greatest impact on warehouse productivity.
It’s important to remove as much of that hot air as possible during this time period. Of course, some warehouses don’t have good ventilation or any way to move the air. But for most warehouse complexes, there are at least two vents that can be used to remove hot air during daylight hours with the help of fans.
Another way is having an AC unit installed in one or more strategically placed areas around your warehouse floor space that have strong airflow capabilities and pull out large amounts of heat throughout the day while employees are hard at work.
2. Turn Off Heat Sources to Cool Down
Keeping the warehouse cool during daylight hours will help a lot, but there will be times when you need additional cooling power. The best way to do this is by turning off any heat sources you can and bringing in some portable fans or other methods, if possible, that produce good airflow.
Machines and equipment can generate a lot of heat really quickly. And, if you’re not careful will quickly make the conditions in your warehouse unbearable. Even overhead lights can generate enough heat to warm the space, so turn them off when not in use.
3. Take Advantage of the Cool Air at Night
The warehouse may be cool when you’re not there, but that’s also when the warehouse is at its most vulnerable to bugs and pests. Leaving the doors open probably isn’t an option, so instead, open any screened windows you can and try to capture some of that cold night air.
When daylight breaks, it’s better to start with a cool warehouse than to have it all locked up overnight where it won’t be able to cool down.
4. Install or Paint Your Roof White
Installing or painting your warehouse roof white will help to reflect the heat. This trick is one of the oldest in the book for warehouse ventilation, and it can work wonders when done correctly.
This method works best on south-facing warehouses because they get a lot more sun throughout the day.
5. Invest in Better Insulation
If your warehouse isn’t properly insulated, it’s going to be very difficult for you to keep the air fresh and cool. Unfortunately, many warehouses do not have insulation at all, or they don’t have enough of it that will allow them to maintain a steady temperature throughout the day.
Insulation can help keep your warehouse cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Ensuring it’s well insulated is going to save you big in the long run.
6. Install Destratification Fans
There are warehouse fans designed specifically to remove warm air from the warehouse. Installing one of these can be very effective at keeping your warehouse cool during days when it’s especially hot outside, or there is no breeze coming through.
These fans work well, but they do need regular maintenance and repairs should anything break down. Because they’re high-powered and they’ll make a big impact, keeping them running is ideal.
7. Control the Humidity
Humidity can contribute largely to the temperature in any given room. If you can control the humidity in your warehouse, it’s going to be easier to keep things comfortable throughout the year.
Depending on how dry your warehouse is, you could try using a dehumidifier; this will help lower cooling costs and make everyone more comfortable during their time there, while also protecting products from moisture. Some HVAC systems also come with humidity settings, be sure to look into those if you’re installing a new heating and cooling system.
8. Remove Toxic Fumes
If your warehouse has a lot of chemicals or other toxic fumes, having proper ventilation is essential. There are many warehouse vents available that will handle the removal of these types of fumes without sacrificing your comfort levels while keeping them under control at all times.
Forklift exhaust is one such fume that would be present in almost every warehouse. If there isn’t a place for those fumes to go, they’ll add up over time and hang in the air until you provide a vent.
9. Prepare for Different Seasonal Temperatures
Having warehouse fans that can be moved around is a must to control the temperature throughout all four seasons. It’s going to take some time and effort on your part, but it will make things much easier for everyone in the warehouse when you’re able to keep conditions comfortable no matter what season it happens to be outside.
You’ll want to vent hot air out during the summer and provide ventilation for fumes and exhaust in the winter without losing all your heat.
10. Talk to an Expert
If you can’t find a good way to ventilate your warehouse the way it needs to be, then it might be time to talk with a professional about some of your different options.
Contact APX Contrustion Group Today!
At APX Construction Group, we’d be happy to help you find the perfect solution for your warehouse ventilation. Contact us today and learn more about our facilities maintenance services.
FAQ
Does OSHA require ventilation?
Yes, OSHA requires adequate ventilation in any workspace, including warehouses. This includes providing adequate airflow, temperatures, humidity levels, and air quality to ensure the health and safety of workers.
How do I get rid of humidity in my warehouse?
There are several ways to reduce humidity levels in a warehouse, such as using air conditioning, dehumidifiers, ventilators, and industrial fans. Additionally, sealing cracks and openings to prevent moisture from entering the warehouse can also help.
How can I cool my warehouse without AC?
If you do not have access to air conditioning for your warehouse, there are still ways to keep it cool. Utilizing exhaust and ceiling fans, opening windows and doors for air circulation, and insulating the warehouse can all help to reduce the temperature. Additionally, evaporative cooling systems and portable air conditioners can also be used to bring down the temperature.
