Does the thought of working in a 130°F truck trailer sound like fun? If you’re a dock door worker at a distribution center, it probably sounds like the exact OPPOSITE of fun. Fortunately, Patterson has worked to mitigate this issue with their TC (Truck Cooler) 18-inch fan and HVTC (High Velocity Truck Cooler aka “the Whistleblower”). However, a fan is only effective if it’s used properly, so let’s focus on getting the most out of your Patterson truck cooling solutions.
 
The prevailing myth amongst dock area employees is that they must point fans directly at them to receive the maximum benefit.  Sometimes they will even use pedestal cage fans to accomplish this. But doing so will only provide temporary relief when at or near the dock door opening. As the employee moves away from the door, they will begin to feel less air movement – eventually reaching an area of hot, stagnant air that remains at the front of the trailer. Working in this condition for long periods can bring about the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke if not dealt with appropriately.
 
So how can we optimize airflow? Very simply, in fact! A wall-mounted, truck cooler fan needs to be positioned in one of the upper corners at the dock door opening and aimed toward the same corner at the front of the trailer. This will allow air to reach the entire length of the trailer, with two positive effects:
 
– Evacuation of trapped hot air (in about two minutes).
– Creation of constant airflow.
 
Having this continuous movement of air will alleviate many heat stress issues and provide an overall safer work environment on even the hottest summer days.

Check the calendar.  Guess what?  It’s June.  What does that mean?  It’s going to get hot very soon (if it hasn’t already).  What else does it mean?  You’re going to want fans for your facility – lots of them – quickly.  Not only do you need them fast, you need them mounted and installed fast, too.  Well, we here at Strait Talk (and, yes, Patterson too) also have these goals, and we want to help you avoid any “hiccups” in the process.  So, whether it’s placing an order or tightening the last bolt, here are some tips to “breeze” through your Patterson experience!

• What is your application?  Are you trying to move air down aisles, pick modules, mezzanines, or in trailers?  Then take a look at Patterson’s line of high velocity fans or the new db.  Open areas?  Think about the High-5 HVLS ceiling fan.  Small area cooling?  Patterson’s Fabric Air Ducts, Drum Fans, Cage Fans, and Evaporative Spot Coolers will do the job.

• Know your electrical source.  Is it single phase or three phase power?  277 Volt?  Ordering the right motor type will save time, money, and the hassle of returns/reshipments.
• Will your desired fan fit in the designated area?  If you’re not sure, take some measurements and give your Patterson sales rep a call to discuss.  That’s what they’re here for!
• So your fans have arrived….great!  Now what?  Well, as a wise man (my father) once said, “When all else fails, read the instructions.”  Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with any installation instructions that came with your fan or fan mount.  If you ordered a High-5, pay special attention to the section on wiring the fan’s variable frequency drive (VFD).  Doing this may help answer some questions, and/or prevent any confusion for you (or your installer) during the setup process. 
• IMPORTANT!  All Patterson fans, regardless of type, come with a wiring schematic (usually printed on the nameplate of the motor).  Be sure to wire your fans exactly as shown.  In the case of a dual voltage motor, take care to select the correct wiring configuration based on your voltage level (usually 208-230 V or 460 V 3-phase service).  Have electrical questions?  Call before you connect – improper wiring can damage motors/VFDs and affect warranty coverage!
• ALSO IMPORTANT!  ALWAYS install all safe guards that come with your fan and/or mount.  They are designed to protect you, your personnel, and your facility in the unlikely event of a failure. 

So there you have it – some simple tips to make your fan buying experience smooth as silk from start to finish.  And as always, Patterson sales reps are standing by ready to dispense timely fan advice and provide free quotes for all your fan needs. 
​
Until next time, let’s keep ‘em cool out there!

It’s that time of year again – trips to the beach, backyard barbeques, and of course…the loading/unloading of sweltering hot trailers.  Employees of distribution centers and other facilities are faced with this grueling task each and every summer.  In many cases, these trailers are left sitting for days before they’re brought to the dock area – creating an oven effect by trapping in heat from prolonged sun exposure.  Temperatures can reach in excess of 130°F!  Fortunately, Patterson has worked to mitigate this issue with their TC (Truck Cooler) 18-inch fan and HVTC (High Velocity Truck Cooler aka “the Whistleblower”).  However, a fan is only effective if it’s used properly, so this month we’ll focus on getting the most relief from your Patterson truck cooling solutions.

The prevailing myth amongst dock area employees is that they must point fans directly at them to receive the maximum benefit.  Yet this will only provide temporary relief when at or near the dock door opening.  As the employee moves away from the dock door, they will begin to feel less air movement – eventually reaching an area of hot, stagnant air that remains at the front of the trailer.  Working in this condition for long periods can bring about the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke if not dealt with appropriately.

So how can we optimize air flow?  Very simply, the fan needs to be positioned in one of the upper corners at the dock door opening and aimed toward the same corner at the front of the trailer.  Doing so will allow air to reach the entire length of the trailer – evacuating the trapped hot air and creating a constant airflow.  Having this continuous movement of air will alleviate many heat stress issues and provide an overall safer work environment on even the hottest of summer days.

Looking to cool more than just your trailers?  Check out Patterson’s new db fan – it’s quieter, takes up less space, and is unlike any air movement product you’ve ever seen!  As the weather heats up, be sure to call the experts at Patterson – your employees will thank you!