Before we arrive onsite with your vacuum system, we’ll perform our own series of tests on the unit. You should get ready by prepping the facility and letting us know in advance about any site safety requirements.
We test our vacuum systems at every stage of assembly. Right before they ship to your facility, we also do a factory acceptance test (FAT) to validate all of the unit’s mechanical and electronic components.
The mechanical tests involve the vacuum’s moving parts, including checking the motor for rotation, checking the pump for proper fluid levels, and making sure connections are secure. For the second set of checks, we’ll power up the engine to verify the power source. That could mean measuring amperage for an electric motor or checking the fuel source for a diesel or propane motor. The last phase involves testing all the failsafe sensors and parameters.
Performing the FAT in our shop lets us catch any errors and fix them on the spot, which can prevent unnecessary delays on startup day.
Before startup day rolls around, you need to prepare your facility to receive the vacuum. The level of preparation depends on the type of unit you ordered.
Here’s a quick summary of tasks you should complete before the vacuum system arrives:
For portable units, you just need to have provisions for power and compressed air, if required. That could mean making sure you have enough outlets in locations where you plan to use the vacuum or setting up a dedicated power source for the vacuum, depending on your facility.
Central vacuum systems have additional requirements. Beyond power and compressed air, you’ll need to ensure any piping or tubing networks are installed and check the system for proper and continuous grounding. Piping takes some time to build, and it could result in modifications to the vacuum that is best done in our shop, so we ask that these steps are completed ahead of time.
If there’s anything else specific to your facility, such as discharge and controls that will connect to the vacuum system, make sure those are running smoothly. We typically put together an SOP for those more custom cases, so you’ll know exactly what to prepare in advance.
Finally, make sure the vacuum’s intended operators are available on startup day, because they’ll be able to get training directly from our team.
While we’re confirming that the site is physically ready to receive the vacuum system, we need to make sure our reps are ready to go onsite. That means planning ahead to stay compliant with your facility’s safety requirements.
Does your facility require any safety training or orientation meetings before we can come onsite? Do we need special instructions to enter the building? Are there any restrictions around the tools or equipment we can bring? Every plant has different site safety standards, and safety sessions can add hours or a whole day to the onsite visit. Please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
