When it comes to safety, awareness is crucial. In a commercial environment where you may have different types of electric generators to worry about as well as your air conditioners or heating systems it can be confusing. Here are two areas that you can consider when addressing safety at your commercial or residential property:
Electric generators
Having an electric generator can reduce business losses during a power outage and ensure that there is always a back-up available, but they do need to be properly installed and maintained to avoid any safety issues.
Check your amperage and wattage requirements to make sure the make and model you have can meet your needs without overloading. Ensure that there is sufficient heating and cooling in place for your generator. Different types of electric generators have different needs.
In term of how electric generators work, it is important to consider the fumes that are emitted by the generator and how they are dispelled. Make sure the exhaust fumes from the generator, which often emit carbon dioxide and other poisonous gases, are safely disposed of through exhaust systems that are ventilated and installed according to the specifications of the manufacturer. Regular generator preventative maintenance is vital for all types of electric generators, including residential generators.
Air Conditioning
While air conditioners are not usually associated with safety hazards, they can cause some issues if installed incorrectly or used incorrectly. For example the refrigerant gases can be highly toxic if they come in contact with an open flame, so smoking near air conditioner units should not be allowed.
Only trained professionals should open up air conditioners, install them or attempt to repair them. Access to the refrigerant gases can cause harm as they can freeze what they come into contact with if exposed to air. Breathing them in is also dangerous and potentially fatal.
Regular maintenance and cleaning of your air conditioning is also vital, especially if units are unused during colder winter months. Service personnel have reported finding everything from colonies of insects to dead rodents in air conditioning units, so regular servicing is crucial. This can also cut down on bacteria that can build up within units and potentially be breathed in by employees or clients.
The benefit of regular maintenance is that it cuts down on costs too because the unit is operating efficiently. Given that air conditioners account for about five percent of all the electricity used in the United States, efficient use makes sense. Heat, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can be hindered by airflow problems which impact negatively on efficacy. Air filters should be changed at least once every three months but for the best cost-savings a monthly change is advised.