Winter can be harsh on your premises and doors, causing them to malfunction and potentially disrupt your business operations. To prevent such issues, and to stay one step ahead of the cold, it is essential to take proactive steps and invest in winter maintenance to ensure the smooth operation of your industrial door systems throughout the colder months. So, explore our guide to protecting and securing your systems, and don’t let winter weather compromise the functionality of your industrial doors.
Winter Maintenance for Industrial Door Systems
Robust and durable entry systems play a crucial role in the efficient operation and security of UK businesses, providing access control, protection against unauthorised entry, and effective temperature regulation. However, during the winter season, these systems face unique challenges that result in malfunctions and large-scale damage if not properly addressed.
Cold temperatures, excess rainfall, and freezing snow can cause mechanical and structural components to seize up, malfunction, or become damaged, leading to a wide range of issues. Whilst some issues, such as doors getting stuck or failing to open or close, can be quickly rectified and may seem like a small-scale issue, they all result in loss of time, potential heat and energy loss, and inefficient operations, as well as the potential to turn into larger issues if not addressed. By regularly maintaining your systems during winter, you can identify and address any issues before they worsen, ensuring uninterrupted operation and minimising the risk of unexpected failures or costly repairs.
Preparing for Winter
To ensure the smooth functioning of your door systems during winter, it is essential to take proactive measures and prepare them for the cold weather. By following a few key steps, you can avoid common issues faced by industrial door systems over winter:
⦁ Assess the Needs: Begin by assessing the specific needs of your premises. This step involves considering factors such as the type of doors, the frequency of use, and the environment in which they operate, including any temperature control function that they serve. This evaluation will help determine the appropriate maintenance requirements and ensure that any inspections fully assess the functionality of the system.
⦁ Develop a Maintenance Plan: Based on the assessment, develop a comprehensive maintenance plan. This plan should outline the frequency of inspections, routine maintenance tasks, and any specialised servicing required, and should also include a schedule for regular preventive maintenance to reduce the risk of unplanned failures or malfunctions.
⦁ Implement the Plan: Once the plan is developed, implement it by assigning responsibilities to qualified personnel or maintenance teams. These teams should perform routine inspections to identify any signs of wear, damage, or malfunction, and should cover all components of the doors. This includes checking for loose hardware, damaged seals, misalignments, or unusual noises during operation.
⦁ Conduct Preventive Maintenance: Carry out preventive maintenance tasks based on the manufacturer’s recommendations and industry best practices. This may include lubricating hinges and rollers, adjusting spring tension, cleaning tracks, and replacing worn-out parts to prevent potential issues and ensure smooth door operation.
⦁ Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly communicate the maintenance schedule to all relevant parties to ensure everyone is aware of the current plan, and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of your maintenance routine. To do this, monitor the performance of the doors, track any recurring issues, and gather feedback from maintenance staff, in order to adjust the plan as needed to maintain the overall effectiveness of the routine.
By following these key steps and regularly maintaining your entryway systems and doors, you can ensure their optimal performance and extend their lifespan for many winters to come.
Industrial Door Maintenance Checklist
If you are looking to streamline your maintenance routine, or don’t know where to start when planning your scheduled maintenance, here is our comprehensive list of the key tasks to include:
1. Inspecting and Lubricating Moving Parts
Cold temperatures can cause hinges, rollers, and tracks to become stiff and prone to damage, so the first step in maintaining your systems is to thoroughly inspect and lubricate all moving parts. By applying a specialist lubricant specifically designed for industrial environments and cold temperatures, you can ensure that these parts remain free from ice and snow and operate efficiently even in cold weather.
2. Checking and Adjusting Weather Seals
Weather seals do a lot more than just preventing cold air from entering your premises – they play a crucial role in maintaining temperature control, reducing energy consumption, and preventing moisture from entering your facility. As such important components, they can become worn or damaged over time, so before winter sets in, inspect all weather seals for signs of compromised effectiveness and replace any that are cracked or worn out. Additionally, ensure that the seals are properly aligned and make full contact with the door frame to create a tight seal.
3. Testing Sensors and Safety Features
Industrial doors often come equipped with sensors and safety features to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of employees, so be sure to thoroughly test these sensors and safety features during your maintenance routine to ensure they are functioning correctly. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can interfere with sensor operation, leading to potential safety hazards, and regular testing and inspection will help identify any issues and allow for speedy repairs.
4. Dealing with Ice and Snow Buildup
During the winter months, ice and snow buildup is essentially unavoidable. However, if left unchecked, this buildup can prevent doors from opening or closing properly, compromising the security and functionality of your facility. To prevent such issues, regularly remove ice and snow from the doors using a suitable shovel for larger buildups, and an ice scraper or antifreeze solution if the buildup is minimal. Be cautious not to use sharp objects that could cause damage to the doors, and avoid damaging the doors with the shovel or scraper.
5. Hiring Professional Maintenance Services
While performing regular maintenance tasks can go a long way in ensuring the smooth operation of your systems, it is also advisable to outsource your requirements to professional maintenance services.
Hiring maintenance teams is an investment that pays off in terms of efficiency and longevity for your business. With regular maintenance and frequent inspections, experienced technicians can identify issues and catch any minor problems before they escalate into major repairs, saving you time and money in the long run. Once identified, these technicians have the necessary experience, tools, and equipment to handle any issues and carry out complex repairs onsite, ensuring that there are no long wait times or periods of downtime.
With their expertise and specialist services, and their expert advice on optimising the performance of your doors, your team can handle the busy winter season knowing that your doors are functioning at their best, so don’t overlook the importance of partnering with a reliable maintenance service provider.
Investing in Winter Maintenance for Industrial Doors
Ensure the longevity, efficiency, and reliability of your industrial door systems this winter with regular and thorough maintenance. By following a proactive approach and implementing the maintenance checklist we provided, you can minimise the risk of malfunctions, avoid costly repairs, and maintain uninterrupted operations.
To stay one step ahead of the cold weather and to maintain optimal performance throughout the winter search online for a maintenance provider near you such as Amber Doors who offer bespoke maintenance services to protect your premises and prioritise the longevity of your operations.