Heat on the shop floor slows people down, causes mistakes and, at its worst, makes workers ill. The fix is a mix of cooler fresh air, steady air movement, removing hot air, and sensible work routines. Industrial evaporative coolers, HVLS fans and exhaust fans do most of the work at low running cost.
How heat affects a factory
- Slower work and more breaks as people tire in the heat
- More mistakes and quality problems
- More absence during the hottest weeks
- Safety risks from fatigue, sweaty hands and poor concentration
- Hard hiring and retention for hot departments
Warning signs of heat stress
Watch for heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, cramps, nausea and confusion. Anyone who stops sweating, becomes confused or collapses needs urgent medical help. Train supervisors to spot the signs and act.
Where factory heat comes from
- A metal roof heating up in the sun
- Ovens, furnaces, kilns, moulding machines and compressors
- Motors and lighting
- Many people working close together
- Poor ventilation trapping hot air
Step 1: get the hot air out
Fit exhaust fans high on walls and open roof vents so hot air under the roof can leave. Extract directly near major heat sources where possible.
Step 2: bring in cooler fresh air
Industrial duct coolers supply 18,000 to 50,000 m³/h of evaporatively cooled fresh air each, ducted to where people stand. See how many coolers you need.
Step 3: keep air moving
HVLS fans spread air across the whole floor, and mobile floor fans cool hot spots such as furnace fronts and loading bays.
Step 4: reduce heat coming in
Insulate or coat the roof, shade walls, and keep hot processes separated from other work where possible.
Step 5: work routines
- Drinking water close to every work area
- Rest breaks in a cooler spot
- Heavier or hotter jobs scheduled for cooler hours
- Gradual build-up for new staff in hot departments
What it costs to run
Each duct cooler uses a 1.1 to 4.5 kW motor plus a small pump for 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft, far less than AC for an open shed. See factory cooling or ask us to size your floor.
Frequently asked questions
How do you reduce heat in a factory?
Remove hot air with exhaust fans and roof vents, bring in evaporatively cooled fresh air with duct coolers, keep air moving with HVLS fans, and reduce heat gain through the roof.
What are the signs of heat stress in workers?
Heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, cramps, nausea and confusion. Confusion or collapse needs urgent medical help.
Is evaporative cooling good for factories?
Yes, for open and ventilated sheds it gives the most cooling for the running cost and brings in fresh air.