Dock Equipment: HVLS fans promote productivity

A large regional airline based out of Dallas, began a complete renovation including several new luggage areas and one very humid baggage-handling area. The company knew it needed to improve air conditioning for baggers to improve safety and reduce errors.

Working with a local engineering company, the team installed 20 high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans in the newly constructed outbound baggage claim area. The fans’ lightweight, one-piece extruded aluminum blades use a smaller motor for more efficiency, and the six-blade design also creates considerably less torque compared to standard 10-blade fans. This reduces strain on working parts resulting in reduced wear and little or no need for servicing.

The fans move large volumes of air and produce a large cylindrical column of air that flows down to the floor and outward in all directions. Managers report the breeze in the non-air conditioned outdoor baggage area creates a sensation of coolness 7 to 11 degrees lower than the actual air temperature inside the building.

“It’s cool in here; we have workers that just walk through this area to cool off,” says a manager for the airline. “You can really feel the air that comes off these fans. It’s powerful, but they don’t make any noise.”

The company is currently at work on the second phase of the outdoor baggage claim renovation, adding another outdoor bag claim area and another 15 to 17 fans.

Serco Entrematic
800-933-4834
serco.4frontes.com