opinion ALEM l Energy efficiency


Continuing the series of articles from The Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM), Ed Wilks, operations manager for ALEM member sara LBS, explores the energy efficiency and full life costs of modern door systems.


technologies.


Often overlooked, door technology can play an important role in reducing the overall costs of many industrial locations including warehouses, storage cellars and loading areas. ALEM members work with customers, from the design stage onwards, to help specify the ideal door solution, as well as identify likely life costs to help plan on-going maintenance.


I Recently published results found


Recently published results found that the Warehouse sector is responsible for 10.2 million tonnes of CO2 UK’s total output.


each year: 3% of the


that the Warehouse sector is responsible for 10.2 million tonnes of CO2


each year: 3% of the UK’s total output. The study went on to show that the sector could reduce this figure by 16%, mainly through investing in technologies that improved heat and light efficiency such as doors. A well installed door can provide excellent thermal insulation, saving massive amounts on thermal regulation each year; most notable are recent ‘eco- brewery’ applications.


62 ShD October 2011 www.PressOnShD.com


n the current climate of increasing energy costs and decreasing budgets, maintenance and procurement managers need to search out the most efficient


To combat rising energy costs a number of breweries in the UK have built naturally cooled distribution centres for storing their products. They use low carbon insulations and natural cooling, including a living sedum roof, to eliminate the need for electrical cooling systems. They are so successful that the correct room temperature is maintained without the use of any electrical chillers. This cooling system only works with adequate isolation from outside air temperatures, making the door’s thermal efficiency of utmost importance.


Inefficient door systems are notoriously damaging to controlled environments, especially when there are no air conditioning systems in place. When employees are regularly passing through the doors, it is important that door systems can maintain insulation under frequent use. ALEM members understand this need and, in the case of the ‘eco-breweries’, a bespoke two door sequential locking system has been designed; using two low-energy, high speed doors the system ensures one door is always closed.


ALEM members frequently find that doors are overlooked during the specification stage of new premises and then only considered when they require maintenance. At this stage it is too late to make any drastic performance improvements without


the installation of a new door system. It isn’t just insulation requirements that should be considered when installing doors; fire proofing and type of use are also important.


Depending on the type of


application there are a number of door options available, each with their own benefits and average life costs. Customers need to be sure that they are equipped with the ideal solution and manufacturers can provide a long term view of energy saving and maintenance costs as well as providing after sales support.


Typically doors are located in areas with a high through flow, meaning that they are subjected to frequent use and that any failures can result in inconvenient and costly downtime. The regular maintenance that is required of some doors to prevent failures can be expensive, especially in the case of doors that were originally specified due to their low costs. ALEM members include the leading suppliers of quality industrial doors and loading bay equipment in the UK, who are able to work with customers during the design and specification stage to provide an estimate of necessary future maintenance based around the door’s usage. They also provides an after sales support service to help make sure that their doors continue to function correctly year after year. ● www.alem.org.uk


opinion


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