South Africa’s hot climate – when combined with demanding site conditions – is often too much for standard heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems. This is where Booyco Engineering’s robust solutions have built a solid name for themselves.

With over three decades of designing, manufacturing and supporting specialised HVAC systems for rail, mining and military applications, the company’s depth of expertise brings a new level of health, safety and productivity to the work site.

According to Brenton Spies, managing director of Booyco Engineering, the importance of effective HVAC systems has grown significantly in recent years as companies work to improve health and safety while optimising valuable uptime.

“Businesses across a range of industrial sectors are pursuing policies of zero harm,” says Spies. “Cool, comfortable working conditions are a vital part of this trend, whether in relation to rail locomotives or mining and earthmoving equipment.”

“Hot and dusty site conditions, as well as factors like high vibration levels and uneven road surfaces, can undermine the performance of standard-issue HVAC equipment,” he says. This invariably leads to frequent stoppages for repairs – and lost revenue due to unplanned downtime.

“We have built a niche serving customers who must operate vehicles or mobile equipment for long hours in typically South African conditions,” he says. “Our solutions give customers a reliable foundation for more streamlined and rewarding work cycles.”

The company’s success is based on a detailed understanding of each application, according to Grant Miller, executive director at Booyco Engineering. This includes considering the necessary standards for compliance, airflow, ingress protection (IP) ratings, structural and electrical requirements, corrosion and acoustic noise.

“Our purpose engineered designs are brought to life in our well-equipped 1,600 m2 assembly facilities in Meadowdale, Gauteng, which are manned by experienced and skilled personnel including quality inspectors,” says Miller. “Following ISO-certified processes, we ensure that our systems are rugged and fit-for-purpose.”

This is confirmed by extensive internal and external testing before products are released. He also emphasises that regular inspections and maintenance are crucial if owners expect smooth and continuous operation.

“Any unplanned downtime is expensive – so a scheduled HVAC maintenance programme should be in place, as for any other equipment on site,” he continues. “This is why Booyco Engineering has skilled and competent HVAC‑qualified technicians all over the country.”

Located mainly on or near customer sites, these technicians carry out planned maintenance programmes – from Komatipoort and Ermelo, to Saldanha Bay, Richards Bay and Kimberley. There are also roving technicians to address ad-hoc needs.

“In many industries, an operator is not obliged to work when in-cab temperatures exceed certain levels,” he says. “When an HVAC system goes down, it can, therefore, bring an entire operation to a standstill.”

Avoiding this situation means, firstly, installing an HVAC system that is up to the job at hand and secondly, caring for that system proactively through scheduled maintenance. Booyco Engineering’s capability covers both key aspects, with decades of experience and a nation-wide footprint, says Miller.

Hashtags

#hvac

#airconditioning

#specialisedmobileairconditioning

#mining

#earthmoving

#sheq

Booyco Electronics