Start the Year with a Compressed Air System Review
The start of a new year is a good opportunity to review your compressed air system and make sure you’re prepared for the year ahead.
Production requirements change. Equipment gets added or moved. Compressors accumulate operating hours. Hoses, fittings and pipework can develop leaks. Service and inspection dates also have a habit of coming around quickly.
A simple compressed air system review can help identify maintenance requirements, upcoming compliance dates and changes that may affect system performance.
Here are a few areas worth checking as you start planning for the year.
When is your compressor due for a service?
Regular servicing helps keep your compressor reliable and gives technicians an opportunity to identify wear or developing problems before they lead to more significant repairs.
Check the operating hours and service history for each compressor on site. Keep in mind that low operating hours don’t necessarily mean servicing can wait. Many manufacturers specify maintenance intervals based on operating hours or elapsed time, whichever comes first.
If you’re unsure when your compressor was last serviced, the start of the year is a good time to check.
Are any air receiver inspections coming up?
Air receivers require regular inspections to help identify corrosion, damage and other issues that could affect the vessel.
Review the inspection sticker and your service records so you know when each receiver is next due.
Planning inspections in advance can also make it easier to coordinate the work around production, shutdowns and site access.
If you have added or replaced an air receiver during the past year, check that you also have the required documentation and registration where applicable.
Has your compressed air demand changed?
Your compressed air system may have suited the business when you originally installed it, but requirements can change.
You may have:
- Added new equipment
- Increased production
- Changed operating hours
- Relocated machinery
- Extended your pipework
- Changed the pressure or airflow required by a process
These changes can affect compressor demand, pressure, storage and overall system performance.
If your compressor now runs more frequently, struggles to maintain pressure or operates differently from previous years, it may be worth looking at the complete system rather than assuming you simply need a larger compressor.
Have leaks developed throughout the system?
Compressed air leaks can develop gradually through hoses, fittings, couplings, drains and other connections.
Individually, they may seem minor. Across an entire system, however, leaks can increase compressed air demand and make your compressor work harder than necessary.
Listen for obvious leaks during quieter periods and check areas where equipment or pipework has changed.
For larger systems, a compressed air audit can provide a more detailed picture of system demand and help identify areas that require attention.
Does your pipework still suit the application?
Changes to production can also affect your compressed air distribution system.
Adding equipment to existing pipework without considering airflow and pressure requirements can contribute to pressure drop and poor performance at the point of use.
If you plan to expand production, install new equipment or modify your workshop this year, consider the compressed air requirements as part of the project rather than after the equipment arrives.
When was your breathing air last tested?
If your compressed air system supplies breathing air, check when you last had the air quality tested.
NPS recommends breathing air testing every three to six months, depending on the application and working environment.
Regular compressor servicing and filter replacement also form an important part of maintaining a breathing air system.
If testing is due, scheduling it early can help you keep on top of your testing program throughout the year.
Is your air treatment working as it should?
Dryers, filters, drains and oil-water separators all play a role in managing air quality and condensate.
Check their service requirements and consider whether you’ve noticed any changes, such as increased moisture downstream, poor dryer performance or condensate management issues.
Hot summer conditions can also place additional demand on compressed air equipment, particularly dryers and compressor cooling systems.
Plan your compressed air requirements for the year ahead
You don’t need to replace equipment or make major changes every January.
A compressed air system review is simply an opportunity to check what is due, what has changed and whether anything needs attention.
For some sites, that may mean booking the next compressor service or air receiver inspection. For others, it may identify the need for breathing air testing, leak detection, pipework changes or a closer look at compressor demand.
Nessco Pressure Systems supports compressed air systems across Perth and regional WA with servicing, inspections, testing, audits, repairs and system upgrades.
To review your compressed air requirements for the year ahead, call our service team on 1300 290 638.
