How to Prepare Your Facility for the Australian Summer
Australian summers can push industrial facilities to their limits. Temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many regions, placing enormous strain on cooling systems, workers, and temperature-sensitive inventory. The difference between a facility that manages summer effectively and one that struggles often comes down to preparation undertaken in the months before peak heat arrives.
This guide provides a comprehensive pre-summer preparation checklist for warehouses, factories, distribution centres, and commercial facilities across Australia. By addressing these items before summer's peak, you can ensure your facility operates efficiently and safely through the hottest months.
Timing Your Preparation
The ideal time to prepare for summer is during autumn and early winter, when demand for cooling equipment service is lower, lead times for parts and new equipment are shorter, and you have time to address any issues discovered during inspections. Waiting until November to book equipment servicing often means competing with every other facility manager who also left it late.
Don't Wait Until It's Hot
Cooling equipment suppliers and service technicians are typically booked solid from October through February. Schedule your pre-summer maintenance in May-July to ensure availability and avoid premium emergency call-out rates.
Cooling Equipment Inspection and Maintenance
Industrial Fans
For HVLS ceiling fans, check all mounting hardware for tightness and signs of corrosion. Inspect blades for damage, warping, or excessive dust accumulation that could affect balance. Test the control system and verify all speed settings work correctly. Listen for unusual noises during operation that might indicate bearing wear or motor issues.
For portable and wall-mounted fans, inspect guards for damage or gaps that could allow finger access to blades. Check power cords for damage and ensure plugs are in good condition. Clean blade assemblies and motor housings to ensure optimal airflow. Verify oscillation mechanisms operate smoothly.
Evaporative Coolers
Evaporative cooling systems require specific pre-season attention. Replace cooling pads if they show signs of mineral buildup, deterioration, or have been in service for more than two seasons. Clean water tanks and distribution systems thoroughly to prevent algae and bacterial growth. Check pumps and water level controls for proper operation. Inspect ducting for leaks or damage that would reduce cooling efficiency.
Refrigerated Systems
Have refrigerated air conditioning systems serviced by a licensed technician who can check refrigerant levels, clean condenser and evaporator coils, inspect electrical connections, verify thermostat calibration, and ensure all safety controls function correctly. Replace filters and clean or replace any accessible components as recommended by the manufacturer.
Building Envelope Assessment
Roofing
The roof is typically the largest source of heat gain in industrial facilities. Inspect for damaged or missing insulation, particularly around penetrations for services or skylights. Consider reflective roof coatings if your current roofing is dark coloured—these can reduce roof surface temperature by 10-20 degrees and meaningfully decrease heat transmission into the building.
Doors and Openings
Large roller doors that remain open for extended periods allow significant heat infiltration. Assess whether strip curtains, high-speed doors, or dock seals could reduce heat gain while maintaining operational efficiency. Even partial solutions can make a meaningful difference to internal temperatures.
Windows and Skylights
Check that external shading devices are in good condition and properly positioned. Consider window films to reduce solar heat gain through glazing. For skylights, ensure they are clean (dirty skylights reduce useful light while still transmitting heat) and consider whether external shading or replacement with insulated panels might be beneficial.
Building Envelope Checklist
- Inspect and repair roof insulation
- Assess opportunities for strip curtains or rapid doors
- Service external shading devices
- Clean skylights and assess solar control options
- Check weather seals on doors and loading docks
Operational Adjustments
Shift Scheduling
Where possible, consider adjusting work schedules to avoid peak heat periods. Starting earlier in the morning allows the most physically demanding work to be completed before afternoon temperatures peak. Some facilities shut down non-essential operations during extreme heat days, with workers making up time during cooler periods.
Heat Load Management
Review internal heat sources and consider whether any can be reduced or scheduled for cooler periods. Running heat-generating equipment in early morning or evening, improving equipment efficiency, and ensuring proper ventilation of hot equipment can all reduce the cooling load.
Hydration and Rest Provisions
Ensure adequate hydration stations are available throughout the facility, stocked with cool water and electrolyte drinks. Designate cool-down areas where workers can take breaks from hot work areas. Review your heat illness prevention plan and ensure all supervisors understand the signs of heat stress and appropriate responses.
Emergency Preparedness
Backup Power
If your cooling systems are critical—for example, protecting temperature-sensitive inventory—assess your backup power provisions. Generators should be tested under load before summer to ensure they can actually support cooling equipment when needed. Document start-up procedures so personnel can activate backup systems quickly if mains power fails during a heat event.
Emergency Cooling Plans
Develop contingency plans for cooling system failures during extreme heat. This might include arrangements with equipment rental companies for emergency portable cooling, identification of areas that could be prioritised for limited cooling resources, or agreements with other facilities for temporary relocation of temperature-sensitive inventory.
Know Your Critical Thresholds
Document the maximum temperatures your workers, products, and equipment can safely tolerate. This information guides decision-making during extreme heat events and helps prioritise resources when cooling capacity is limited.
Staff Training and Communication
Before summer, refresh worker training on heat stress prevention, recognition, and response. Ensure everyone knows how to identify heat exhaustion and heat stroke, understands the importance of hydration and rest breaks, and feels empowered to stop work if conditions become unsafe.
Establish clear communication protocols for extreme heat days. Workers should know who makes decisions about modified operations, how changes will be communicated, and what their individual responsibilities are during heat events.
Documentation and Monitoring
Temperature Logging
Install temperature monitoring equipment if you don't already have it. Data loggers in key locations allow you to track conditions over time, identify problem areas, and document that you're meeting any regulatory requirements for workplace temperature management.
Maintenance Records
Document all pre-summer maintenance activities, including dates, work performed, and any issues identified. This creates a record of due diligence and helps identify patterns over time—for example, equipment that consistently requires attention might be due for replacement.
Regulatory Considerations
While Australia doesn't have a single legislated maximum workplace temperature, employers have duties under WHS legislation to manage heat risks. Safe Work Australia provides guidance on managing heat in the workplace, and some states have specific requirements or codes of practice.
Review your current heat management procedures against current regulatory guidance and ensure your preparations align with your legal obligations. This is particularly important for industries with specific heat exposure standards, such as mining or outdoor construction.
Long-Term Improvements
While preparing for the coming summer, also consider longer-term improvements for future years. Would additional HVLS fans provide meaningful benefit? Could roof insulation upgrades pay for themselves in reduced cooling costs? Would installing reflective roofing during planned re-roofing work be a worthwhile investment?
Document observations throughout summer about what works well and what doesn't. This information guides future investment decisions and helps prioritise improvements for maximum impact.
Conclusion
Effective summer preparation is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. By systematically addressing equipment maintenance, building performance, operational procedures, and emergency preparedness in the months before peak heat, Australian facilities can navigate summer safely and productively. The effort invested in preparation pays dividends when temperatures climb and unprepared facilities struggle.
Start your preparation early, document your activities, and review your performance each year to continuously improve. Your workers, your products, and your bottom line will all benefit from thoughtful summer preparation.