Seasonal weather conditions can cause damage to equipment if the correct precautions are not adhered to. Any damage can cause interruptions to kitchen service, plus additional charges from Jongor to attend and repair the damage. This article outlines some basic precautions that should be taken to ensure no damage is sustained.
Freezing air temperatures
Any pipes, whether metal or plastic can be prone to water freezing due to low air temperatures, which may cause pipes to burst. This can apply to mains pipes or pipes within kitchen equipment, such as a combi ovens or dishwashers.
To ensure the water in pipes does not fall below zero, one or a combination of the following precautions should be taken:
- Use space heating within structures, 24 hours a day
- Lag pipes with insulation. This may include pipes inside a structure, if the internal air temperature could 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 damage due to freezing temperatures is sustained overnight whilst kitchens are left unattended, when external temperatures drop to the lowest point, the demand for water stops and the heating is turned off.
High winds
High winds can cause damage to temporary structures, such as panels popping out or lining being detached. Ensure you have the appropriate certification from your structure supplier to work within the expected parameters. If wind 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 any kitchen equipment can cause significant damage to electrical components, whilst boxes of tableware can corrode when left in water. Also, linen may go 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 in items of kitchen equipment, causing damage to electrical components. To prevent this happening, ensure the structure is heated 24 hours a day and has adequate ventilation.
We hope that this article is useful and will help prevent potential damage caused by seasonal weather. 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 further advice on how to ensure your kitchen is weather safe, please contact us.