Seasonal weather conditions can cause damage to equipment if the correct precautions are not adhered to. This damage can mean an interruption to kitchen service, and additional charges from Jongor to attend and repair the damage. This article outlines the basic precautions that should be taken to ensure no damage is sustained.
Freezing Air Temperatures:
When water freezes and turns from a liquid to a solid, it expands. When this happens within a water pipe, the pipe will burst as the water attempts to escape. This can happen to any pipe containing water, whether it is metal or plastic, and is as a mains pipe or within a piece of kitchen equipment, such as a Combi Oven or Dishwasher.
To ensure the water in pipes does not fall below zero, one or a combination of the following methods should be used:
- Heat structures with space heating, 24 hours a day
- Lag pipes with insulation. This may include indoors if the internal air temperature will fall below zero.
- Leave taps 10% open to maintain a constant flow of water in the pipe. This is only suitable where you have mains drainage, not storage tanks. If you do use this method, you will also need to protect Kitchen Equipment by disconnecting it and completely purging it of water.
- Ensure 24 hour power is supplied to external Rinnai water heaters, as they have internal frost protection heat elements, to protect the internal pipework
The majority of frost damage is sustained overnight whilst kitchens are left unattended, when external temperatures drop to the lowest point, the demand for water stops and the heating gets switched off.
High Winds:
High winds can cause damage to temporary structures, such as panels popping out or lining coming detached. Ensure you have the appropriate certification from your structure supplier to work within the expected parameters. If winds speeds are forecast outside of these parameters, contact your structure supplier immediately.
To protect Jongor equipment, you will need to ensure that any water heaters that are externally sited are fastened to a fixed structure. If these items do fall, damage can occur to the internal components, and pipe connections can become detached, making the units non-operational.
Rain and Snow:
Excluding water heaters situated outside, please ensure that no equipment is exposed to rain or snow. Water ingress to Kitchen Equipment can cause significant damage to electrical components, whilst boxes of tableware can corrode when left in water. Linen also goes mouldy when exposed to moisture for extended periods.
Condensation build up:
If Kitchens are left unattended for extended periods, i.e more than 24 hours, condensation can build up within items of kitchen equipment, causing damage to electrical components. To prevent this happening, ensure the structure is supplied with heat 24 hours a day and has adequate ventilation.
We hope that this article is useful and will help prevent damage. Please remember, that all weather sustained damage is chargeable at our standard rate, and can also cause frustrating implications to your kitchen service. If you would like any further advice on how you can ensure your kitchen is weather safe, please contact us.