The Crucial Need for Timely Freeze Protection in Modern Commercial and Industrial Facilities

As the winter months approach, the need for freeze protection in commercial and industrial facilities grows increasingly urgent. Today's commercial and industrial complexes aren't just basic storage units or manufacturing hubs; they are sophisticated, multi-dimensional entities often housing intricate machinery, expensive equipment, and digital infrastructure. The broad exposure of these facilities to various risks, particularly when under-prepared for cold weather, can result in significant losses.

Every year, many facility managers postpone or overlook freeze protection measures, believing they have ample time or aren't critically necessary, a precarious misjudgment. Given the multifaceted nature of modern facilities, even a minor freeze event can cause a cascade of issues. Water pipes can burst, causing flooding; machinery can malfunction, leading to production halts; and electronic systems can fail, resulting in data losses.

Apart from the direct damages, the ripple effects of such events can be monumental. Disrupted operations can lead to missed deadlines, lost contracts, and a tarnished reputation in the marketplace. Furthermore, the financial implications of repairs, replacements, and potential legal claims can be staggering.

In today's fast-paced, highly interconnected commercial world, downtime is a luxury most businesses can't afford. It is not just about the immediate monetary losses but the long-term impact on brand trust and customer loyalty. Preventative measures, like early freeze protection, are cost-effective and essential for ensuring uninterrupted operations.

The importance of timely freeze protection in contemporary commercial and industrial facilities is not to be overstated. By addressing potential risks proactively, businesses can safeguard their operations, protect their assets, and maintain their standing in the competitive market landscape. It's a small investment with a profound payoff: ensuring the smooth continuity of operations, regardless of the weather.

Established as a benchmark in the electric heating industry, BriskHeat has been dedicated to providing customers with top-tier heating solutions tailored to a myriad of applications. Recognized for their innovative approach, BriskHeat has developed a wide range of products designed to address the specific challenges posed by freezing temperatures.

BriskHeat's capabilities are not confined to a single product or application; they span a diverse spectrum of applications ranging from commercial to industrial needs. At the core of their product lineup are freeze protection solutions. These products are meticulously designed to prevent damage to equipment, machinery, and infrastructure during cold weather. They have consistently demonstrated their expertise in ensuring that businesses can operate seamlessly, regardless of how low the temperatures drop.

The BriskHeat product offering includes:

• Drum/Pail Heaters & Insulators
• Wraparound Tote Tank/IBC Heaters & Insulators
• Silicone Rubber Tote Tank/IBC Heater & Control
• Hazardous-Area Rated Silicone Rubber Drum Heater
• XtremeFLEX® Silicone Rubber Heating Tapes
• RKP XtremeFLEX® Silicone Rubber Heating Tapes
• XtremeFLEX® Silicone Rubber Heating Tapes
• Digital Temperature Controllers
• Outdoor Digital Controllers
• Ambient Sensing Capillary Temperature Controllers
• On/Off Thermostats
• Bulb & Capillary Temperature Controllers
• Hazardous-Area Equipment Bulb & Capillary Controllers
• Hazardous-Area Silicone Rubber Heating Blankets
• Heavy-Duty Silicone Rubber Heating Blankets
• Standard-Duty Silicone Rubber Heating Blankets
• Enclosure Heaters
• Crankcase Heaters for HVAC/R Compressors
• Mica Band & Nozzle Heaters
• Screw Plug Immersion Heaters
• Immersion Cartridge Heaters

To learn more about these products, visit this Alliance Technical Sales link and open the "2023 Electric Heating and Freeze Protection Solutions" link.

BriskHeat is a beacon of reliability and innovation in the electric heating world. Their commitment to excellence, especially in freeze protection products, positions them as a trusted partner for businesses aiming to combat the challenges of winter with confidence. For more information about BriskHeat products in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Contact them at 630-321-9646 or visit their website at https://alliancets.com.

Winterization Tips for Your Building, Facility, or Industrial Plant

Anticipating freezing temperatures and safeguarding buildings, equipment, and materials from freeze damage are critical components of any annual property assessment. A solid freeze prevention plan comprises inspection, preventative maintenance, and corrective maintenance actions before the onset of cold weather.

Below are eighteen general freeze protection planning tips offered by application engineers and field experience comments. These procedures are not exhaustive, and we urge that you consult a professional before implementing your plan.

1. Roof and Gutter: Inspect, remove debris, and patch/repair (if needed): roof drains, scuppers, canals, gutters, down spouts before first frost. Inspect and functionally test installed roof and gutter heat trace system. Apply heat in susceptible areas.
2. Identify and test main water supply cutoffs for each facility. Ensure these areas are readily available to emergency personnel responding to a freeze/thaw incident. Apply heat in susceptible areas.
3. Inspect wet‐pipe sprinkler systems for areas prone to freezing. Apply heat in susceptible areas.
4. Identify materials that are subject to freeze damage in outside storage pads and unheated storage areas. Develop plan to ensure these materials can be easily heated and thawed to maintain production.
5. Check and place antifreeze used in cooling systems as necessary.
6. Protect heating system power and temperature controls against inadvertent deactivation.
7. Inspect insulation on piping and vessels.  Look for damage and vulnerable areas that might be exposed to freezing conditions.  Add or replace insulation as needed. 
8. Drain and remove water from all seasonal cooling systems (unless protected by heating tapes or antifreeze).
9. Inspect, test, and stage portable auxiliary heaters.
10. Inspect conditions of all surface heaters such as heating tapes, heating cable, drum heaters, IBC heaters, tank heaters, and pipe heaters. Verify operation and temperature settings and test ground‐fault equipment protection. Replace as needed.
11. Inspect, test, and repair heat trace heating cable located on cooling tower supply and return lines.  Apply heat in susceptible areas.
12. Inspect and identify remaining water and air lines subject to freezing. Install appropriate heat and insulation. Apply heat in susceptible areas.
13. For steam systems: Blow down drip legs, clean strainers, test temperature sensing devices for actuation of control valves and dampers, check steam traps, control actuators/valves, face and bypass dampers, linkages, and temperature controllers. Ensure that a vacuum breaker is installed and in working order on all preheat and heating coils which may be exposed to freezing conditions.
14. For ventilation systems: Test and calibrate all temperature sensing devices, and check operation of valves, dampers, linkages, control actuators, and temperature controllers.
15. Identify areas where personal safety is at risk due to icy conditions. Develop a slip prevention maintenance plan. Apply heat in susceptible areas.
16. Identify control panels and electronic devices susceptible to condensation. Install enclosure heaters to prevent short outs and corrosion.
17. Institute a facility wide awareness plan to identify and report any suspected problems with heating or other cold weather protection equipment during the cold season.
    
    
18. Special Consideration: Hazardous Materials 

• Ensure that all containers used for hazardous or toxic materials are properly stored, and inspect them for deterioration prior to handling. If containers become brittle (due to the combination of chemical attack, freezing temperatures, and ultraviolet light) they may break when moved.
• Liquids should not be permitted to remain in unheated process lines during periods when production has been stopped. All lines should be drained and purged to prevent future line breakage due to freezing temperatures.
• Ensure that piping, tanks, and valves in systems that carry hazardous or toxic substances are properly insulated and/or heated. Install heaters such as heating blankets, insulators, heating tapes, heating jackets, and heating cable as appropriate.

Tips courtesy of BriskHeat. For more information on all BriskHeat products, contact Alliance Technical Sales. Call 630-321-9646 or visit https://alliancets.com.

Electric Heating Solutions for Temperature Maintenance and Freeze Protection

Here is an Alliance Technical Sales product catalog for industrial electric heating and freeze protection solutions. The products contained herein are used for temperature maintenance or to prevent freezing of flowing fluids or gases in tanks, pipes, vessels, and lab equipment. Contact Alliance Technical Sales for any electric heating requirement.

https://alliancets.com
630-321-9646
Download the Electric Heating Solutions here.

Electric Heating and Freeze Protection Solutions from Alliance Technical Sales, Inc.