Excessive heat in an industrial workspace

Why industrial spaces overheat

Heat gain in a factory or warehouse comes from several sources: solar gain through uninsulated roofs and walls, hot processes such as furnaces, ovens, kilns and dryers, motors and compressors, lighting and occupants. When ventilation is limited, warm air accumulates under the roof and work areas become uncomfortable. Large volumes and open doors make conventional air-conditioning costly or impractical, and radiant heat from hot surfaces is felt even where air temperature is moderate. Heat affects people, but it can also affect products, adhesives, electronics and equipment cooling, so the reason for cooling should be clear.

Options to consider

Reducing heat gain comes first where possible: roof insulation, reflective coatings, shading and shielding hot equipment. Ventilation with fans and roof extractors removes warm air. Evaporative approaches then add cooling: high-pressure mist systems introduce fine droplets that evaporate in the air, lowering its temperature, and can be combined with fans or ventilation to cover specific zones. Evaporative cooling works best when the air is dry; in humid conditions its effect reduces and spot cooling or other methods may be needed. Local cooling at workstations can be more practical than treating a whole building.