Location ;
where best to install your compressor

Location - unlike real-estate, where the maxim everyone uses is... it'sLocation, Location, Location – stupid!”... where you position your compressor is not normally as critical, but still, it is important over the long term for a number of reasons.

An compressor installation location that's been given adequate forethought will prevent some problems, assist in the more efficient use of that compressor, and save you some significant operating and maintenance dollars over time.

Here's some tips on how to make your compressor's installation work for, and not against, you.

Compressor Noise

The folks at Jun-Air (among others, we're sure) make a compressor that we used to sell when in the compressor selling business. One of the neatest things about the Jun-Air, aside from its portability, was when it was operating there was the absence of noise. It was quiet!

We recall a customer seeing a demo, and we had the unit on their desk, running. They didn't know it was on, and it wasn't until it "unloaded" that they realized that we'd been having a normal decibel level conversation with a compressor running right beside us.

The downside of that type of compressor was its relatively limited capacity in CFM, and its price.

Most industrial compressors generate headache producing, eardrum thumping - and possibly ear damaging - noise. It's not good for you and certainly not good for colleagues and other staff that have to put up with it. Read up a bit on how incessant noise negatively affects work output and quality. You'll be glad you did.

Even in a small shop, consider building a sound-insulated wall around the compressor. Everyone will thank you for it and it will lead to higher productivity levels and quite likely better quality work if your staff doesn't have to wince or shout over the noise of the compressor while they are working.

Accessibility

You've built the wall, you and your employees are happy as "the sound beast" has now been contained and you can talk in the shop again without having to shout, but now it's time to do some maintenance work on the compressor.

It seems you've got to change out a part. Unfortunately, the part that has to come out is bigger than the doorway into the compressor room. Ooops! A problem for you...yes?







Not if you've designed your compressor room to have access doors that are at least as large as the largest part (perhaps the whole compressor?) that will need to move through the doors should that need arise.

Also, you'll periodically need to be in and around the compressor for regular & routine maintenance, and access all around the unit is important. Do yourself a favour and give yourself 'elbow-room' completely around the compressor and accessory equipment. You'll thank yourself down the road.

Speaking of doors, it's unfortunate, but they should be locking, and there should be a protocol (plan) for key handling and security in place. Anymore, you may have no idea who's in and around the shop, and as a key energy source for production, don't risk it.

Also, good locks and doors keep out the experimenters, folks who just want to see what happens when you push this button....!

Air

The compressor's job is to compress...you got it; AIR!

It needs lots of it around, and the best place for your compressor intake to draw air from is outside your shop.

A 25 HP compressor will gulp in 800 SCFM more or less, depending on where in the world that particular size of compressor is installed. While it's not likely that an air compressor could "suck the air" from a room, why compress air from the plant that's already been treated by air conditioning or by heating? You might as well use the air from outside your plant that you haven't spent any money on to condition as yet.

Set up your compressor air intake on the coolest, shadiest side of the building, so you'll be bringing cooler air into the compressor. The process of compressing air generates heat, and there's no point in increasing that heat by ingesting hot, humid air into the compressor intake, if it can be avoided. Compressing air generates a lot of water and water related problems which you can read about here .

On the other hand, the heat generated by your compressor might be reclaimed as a heat source for your shop? Consider this option when determining the scope of your compressor room.

Ready for some more information on locating your compressor? Please click here.

Did you know that....