QTPE test chambers can be used in all sorts of working environments – our clients, for example, have installed them in locations ranging from workshops and laboratories to offices and warehouses.
There are, however, a number of issues that companies should consider prior to installation. These include:
Floor loading
Chambers with over 200 litres of test space can weigh upwards of 500kg so the amount of weight a floor can support needs to be considered.
High performance chambers that are designed for long-term reliability are often heavier than cheaper alternatives. This is because key components, such as the pipe wall thickness, the heat exchanger quality, and chassis structures are designed for long-life in the best chambers.
Door access
Test chambers up to 600 litres in size can usually fit through most doors but if you are installing a larger chamber then alternative access arrangements might have to be considered.
Public access buildings and many modern offices typically have doors which are 850mm in width – wide enough to allow our 600 litre chambers through. Domestic buildings and older office tend to have narrower door spaces however.
Power
Apart from the small 25 and 50 litre benchtop and 100 litre floor standing chambers, most test chambers will require three- phase power or a 16amp single phase supply. You can’t escape the physics – if you require a chamber with a wide temperature range and a powerful cooling system for a faster rate of change, then you will have to use three phase power.
Noise
When choosing a test chamber, the level and nature of the noise it makes is an important consideration, especially if it is to be installed near where people are working.
Put simply, the chambers we supply are relatively quiet and efficient, whilst lightweight, cheaper chambers often emit a tinny, high-frequency jangling noise.
We can talk to you about sound deadening options where required.
Drains
All environmental chambers that have a cooling facility will inevitably produce some condensate. Whereas temperature-only chambers produce only a small amount of water, humidity control chambers require some form of drainage provision to dispose of the run-off.
Ideally, these test chambers should be connected to a drain outlet but where this is not possible a water collection vessel can be used. The condensate will be clean unless contaminated by substances draining from the item under test.
Environment
Our test chambers are designed to operate in ambient conditions of around 20°C. If they are operating in conditions that are either much hotter or colder, then the equipment will not function at its optimal rate.
All environmental test chambers output heat and this must be taken into account, especially if it is to be installed in a small room.
Getting it in the building
Most chambers are delivered on pallets for safe transport. We can often assist clients to remove a chamber from a pallet but the limit of most delivery trucks with a tail-lift is approximately 650 kg.
Prior to delivery we will discuss the options and whether a forklift truck will be required. It is also advisable that you check the delivery path into your building, noting where obstacles such as steps, curbs, loose carpeting and tight turns might present access challenges.
Ground or upper floors
Obviously, installing a chamber on the ground floor is the easiest solution. Where chambers need to go on upper floors, you will need to consider how it will be transported.
A 100-litre floor standing chamber can usually fit into a small passenger lift but an alternative may have to be considered for larger chambers.
Where there are obvious access issues please talk to us about the site and any concerns you may have. We can provide different levels of support, depending on the situation, or put you in touch with specialist contractors, who have the expertise and equipment to move the chamber into location.
If you have questions about any of the issue raised above, please e-mail us at info@qtpe.co.uk