HVLS fans were designed to create a more comfortable environment, cooling work places down in the summer and keeping them warm during the long winters.
Undoubtedly, this is what the HVLS fan was designed to do when first breaking into the material handling market in the mid-1990s. By creating a slow moving breeze at two to three miles per hour, facilities have reported a reduction in perceived temperature equivalent to seven to eleven degrees. But over the past decade, these fans have become more versatile than ever imagined.
The blades of the Serco VELOCITY HVLS big fan produces a massive column of air that flows
down toward the floor and outward in all directions before being drawn back vertically toward the blades to create what is known as a horizontal floor jet. But in addition to improving temperatures in buildings like warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants and food/beverage facilities, these fans can help enhance energy efficiency, sustainability initiatives, air quality and employee safety.
Sustaining the long winters. Heating large facilities during the winter can be a challenge and costly. From November through March, the average low temperature in many parts of the country is well below freezing, causing HVAC systems to work overtime to keep employees warm and comfortable. Serco HVLS fans enable companies to take advantage of the heat generated by HVAC systems and other sources to keep the facility warm, employees comfortable and productive. By running these fans in reverse during the cold months, facilities can push some of the warm air generally trapped at the ceiling downwards to the floor to regulate the temperature.
Protect product integrity. Air circulation from the floor jets helps to keep not only food and produce fresh to prevent spoilage but also assists in protecting non-perishables by keeping them clean and dry. In addition, many users in refrigerated applications have also seen improvements in their indoor air quality from running their fans in reverse to destratify the air and create a more even distribution of oxygen.
Improve working conditions. Increasing air circulation and quality helps minimize floor condensation, keeping loading dock areas drier and ultimately safer for foot and fork lift traffic. Additionally, the improved air circulation created by Serco big fans can enhance indoor air quality in dry storage and other distribution applications by dispersing the harmful fumes produced by the trucks and forks lifts during loading and unloading.
Reduce energy consumption. HVLS fans are an excellent addition to any overworked HVAC system. They can help to regulate a facility’s temperature year-round from floor to ceiling, permitting an increase or decrease in thermostat temperature setting between three and five degrees without realizing any negative temperature changes in either direction.
The Serco VELOCITY HVLS big fan was designed to create a comfortable work environment while keeping facilities running as energy efficiently as possible. Today, these fans are seeing new and improved uses every day, from sustainability and employee safety to improved air quality. For more information visit www.sercofans.com.
Let’s face it, we all worry about the impact threats such as weather, theft and even fire can have not only on our homes and personal possessions but also at the workplace. Which is why most people carry some form of insurance on their valuables, but here’s a little assurance from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for your fans and a little peace of mind.
Based on extensive testing recently conducted by the NFPA’s Research Foundation, guidelines for the installation and use of High Volume Low Speed (HVLS) Fans in facilities with Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) automatic sprinklers have been established. With a vote of confidence, tests concluded that HVLS warehouse fans, without additional fire, smoke or heat detecting equipment did not prevent sprinkler systems from meeting the “pass criteria” established for the tests and approval process
The pass criteria were determined after the two-part study analyzing the impact HVLS warehouse fans had on automatic sprinkler systems in terms of protecting stored commodities. The study was sponsored and conducted by an oversight committee of HVLS fan industry experts, facility consultants, risk management companies and members of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA).
These tests are great news for HVLS fan users and potential users and the safety of their warehouse and overhead loading dock doors. But what about more stringent local fire marshals and the fire codes? What if they mandate the HVLS fans automatically shut down when sprinklers are activated from a fire alarm? Is there an automated system to control HVLS warehouse fans shut down from a central location?
Of course there is a solution, and Serco® has taken its almost 60 years of experience as the leader in the movement of materials over to advancing the efficient movement of air with iFAN™. iFAN may not be able to help prevent fires but it can certainly assist fire suppression and fire code compliance. iFAN’s intelligent software controls all fans from a single, centralized location and even has the ability to interconnect with fire suppression systems to immediately shut fans down when a fire alarm is triggered.
This integrated connection design allows power to the fans to be immediately interrupting the signal to the iFan which will shut the fans within 90 seconds. In addition to sprinkler activation, iFAN can integrate with smoke detection devices and heat detection devices to achieve automatic fan shutdown.
If you’re looking for the peace of mind and assurance afforded by iFAN for your HVLS warehouse fans, please visit the Serco HVLS warehouse fan website. iFAN, it’s a winning combination of fan safety and fan efficiency.