FEATURE HIRING-UP THE HEATERS
In almost any working environment, the absence of a functional heating system is at best extremely inconvenient and at worst, crippling. Here, Andrews Sykes, a specialist hire company, looks at everything FMs need to know about temporary heating arrangements.
Heater hire is often the best solution if the application is either short-term or temporary. This could be due to the failure of a building’s existing heating system, or the need for short-term supplementary heating during extreme weather conditions. Other short-term requirements exist within the event hire industry, where heaters are supplied for corporate, public and sporting events during the winter months.
Offices and schools, for example, often face problems due to their own central heating systems failing. In such cases, small portable electrical heaters can be hired to provide instant safe heating powered from the domestic electrical supply. In instances where there is insufficient power available, small Catalytic gas heaters can sometimes be used as an alternative. Similar applications also occur in retail, healthcare and care homes. In situations where the requirement is for a longer duration, temporary boilers are also available to hire and can be connected to existing central heating systems.
In the construction industry, larger heaters are hired to accelerate drying times and to protect buildings from frost. Cold weather can easily delay projects by weeks and often damage delicate, expensive materials. To prevent this, indirect fired oil heaters or high powered electrical heaters can be hired to provide warm and dry air throughout the site. These are often coupled with dehumidifiers to provide warm dry conditions, even when severe weather strikes.
In fact, there are very few surroundings where a heat source is completely unnecessary. Even typically outdoor applications, like farms and agricultural areas, need heating for crop drying and frost protection during the colder months.
What are the advantages of hiring temporary
heaters rather than purchasing them? No capital outlay – when hiring heaters, you only need to pay a weekly hire charge which is effectively “pay as you go” with solutions to fit most budgets.
Instant availability – portable heaters should normally be delivered within hours of placing the order, so heating can be provided quickly, and normal conditions restored within the same day.
No maintenance worries – The hire company is responsible for maintaining the heaters and even in the unlikely event of the heater failing, you should expect it to be replaced without further cost immediately. Specialist heating hire companies will also provide support 24/7 which is particularly important for the event and healthcare sectors.
Safety – The heater hire specialist should ensure that any heater provided is fully maintained and safety checked
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prior to delivery. All electrical units must be PAT tested with certification available on request.
Expert advice – Experienced specialist heater hire providers should offer expert advice to ensure that the units provided are best suited and safe for the application. Choosing the best unit for the job can also often provide significant fuel savings.
Upgrade – At times, the amount of heating required may vary during the hire period, but the client is able to increase or decrease the number and size of units being hired should the requirement alter at any point.
Fuel management – When using oil or gas fuelled heaters, it is also vital to establish a regular fuel delivery process. Specialist heater hire companies will be able to assist by managing fuel deliveries to ensure uninterrupted running, whilst also providing safe environmentally-approved fuel storage tanks.
What types of heaters are available for hire? With a broad spectrum of applications relying on the availability of temporary heating systems, it is unsurprising that there is such a variety when it comes to the type of unit.
Electric heaters, for example, provide customers with an instant source of warm air – aided by simple plug-and- play installation – with the units most suitable for offices, hospitals, schools, shops and similar applications. The range of electric models is so varied that it can be split into four different groups: fan-assisted, oil-filled, quartz and convector heaters. High capacity electric heaters are available in 110V, 230V and 415V versions, with heating capacities of up to 43kW per unit.
Indirect fired heaters provide clients with the perfect option for many applications, safely delivering huge volumes of warm, fume-free dry air. These units, which can run on either gas or fuel oil (diesel), offer users a significant amount of flexibility in terms of their deployment. They can either be positioned outside the target area – with the hot air ducted inside – or the unit can be stationed inside the desired application with the fumes and exhaust transferred outside via a flue. It is these characteristics that make indirect fired heaters ideal for marquees, exhibition halls, workshops and many other environments.
Direct fired heaters can be used in some situations; however, these tend to be industrial applications with high levels of natural ventilation. These heaters can also be run on either gas or diesel. With heating capacities of up to 82kW, the units within this range provide clients with a fast, efficient solution to cold indoor temperatures. Direct fired heaters should not be used where people are working, or hazardous flammable products are present.
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