As temperatures drop across the US, take action to prevent damage to your remediation systems from the cold. Some of these may seem like common sense but a lot of the easiest steps are the ones overlooked most often.

1. Heater and heater setpoints. Inspect the local thermostat on all of the systems heaters and test to ensure the heaters turn on when called for. Double check the set point to turn on the heater is correct. For systems with HMI logic controlled thermostat, have a technician onsite and test the online set points to check that the heater turns on when called for. Ensure the heater on temperature set point is entered correctly along with the Temp Differential (if applicable.) The heater in a system is designed to keep equipment from freezing, so a set point of 45 degrees in most cases is adequate, but you can decide what works with your system and weather.


2. Room exhaust fans. Most remediation systems have ventilation fans and wall vents to allow for proper cooling in the warmer months. Vents must be closed properly during the winter months to ensure that outdoor temperatures do not negatively affect what is going on inside your process room.Ensure the room exhaust fan setpoint is correct as to not turn on the fan. Possibly even turn off the fan but keep in mind it will need turned back on in the spring!


3. Wall Vents (including exhaust fans). Cover the vents ~3/4 of the way with insulation and OSB. Systems always require some air flow but you would like to keep it at a minimum when there are freezing temperatures outside.



4. Systems with heat trace and insulation. Ensure the heat trace is plugged in and ready. Test to ensure it comes on when called for. Inspect all insulation around piping to ensure no bare pipe is exposed to the weather.

Most systems have vents such as these to allow for air flow during the warmer months. During the winter, these vents should be covered at least 3/4 of the way to protect your equipment and piping within your system.


Cut a piece of insulation board to cover your vent and attach the board using washers and screws to the plywood around your vent.






This simple preventative measure is one way to help protect equipment, piping, and moving parts from freezing and causing expensive repairs or system downtime.


******Remember that the system does require some flow so not all vents will need to be fully covered.****