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Preventive maintenance in greenhouse horticulture

A practical checklist

Company News
Preventief onderhoud

Greenhouse horticulture involves a lot of technology. Machines and systems help with cultivation and ensure safe and efficient processes. This technology is indispensable, but can also malfunction without proper maintenance. This can lead to downtime, damage, and extra costs. Different systems have different maintenance intervals. Some components require annual attention, others only need to be checked. Understanding this in good time helps to avoid unexpected problems. We give a few practical tips for preventive maintenance. These points will help you keep your greenhouse business safe, reliable and operational.

Transformers

Transformers are made to last a long time. In practice, they often come under heavy load in greenhouse horticulture. With frequent switching on and off, they wear out more quickly. In this case, a lifespan of about 15 years is normal.

  • Have an oil analysis (DGA) done every 2 years
  • With this, you can see wear coming in good time
  • This enables you to avoid unexpected malfunctions and extended downtime

Combined heat and power (CHP)

The oil in a CHP engine gets dirty while it runs. Contaminated oil can cause damage and result in malfunctions.

  • Have an oil analysis done every 1,000 running hours
  • And make sure the outcomes are acted on
  • Check your maintenance contract:
    • Who does the analysis?
    • Who schedules the maintenance?
  • Keep track of when maintenance and overhauls are needed yourself

Medium voltage systems

Medium voltage systems require regular inspections. Small problems can have major consequences.

  • Conduct visual inspections regularly
  • Pay attention to:
    • leaks
    • wear
    • changes in heat
  • Pay extra attention to switches
  • Find out about replacement parts and delivery times in advance

Circuit breakers (400 Volts)

Circuit breakers last longer when they are maintained properly:

  • Check whether maintenance is included in your maintenance contract
  • Determine how often this is done
  • Always check switches after switching under load
    • This can cause damage to the contacts

Junction boxes

Junction boxes are important for a safe electrical system. Poor connections can get hot and cause malfunctions.

  • Inspect junction boxes several times each year
  • Use a thermal camera to see problems early on
  • Resolve issues immediately

Water silos

Steel water silos can rust. This often occurs slowly and is not immediately noticeable.

  • Have the water silo inspected as of the 7th year
  • Repeat this inspection every two years
  • Check hoses and connections of acid transfer pumps
  • Always place acid transfer pumps outside the radius of the silo

Central heating water

The quality of the central heating water is important for pumps, valves and heat exchangers. Contaminated water leads to faster wear.

  • Have a central heating water analysis done annually
  • Improve the water quality if necessary
  • This will extend the lifespan of your installation

Electrical installations

Electrical installations must be safe and work properly.

We advise businesses in the U.K. to:

  • Check electrical installations with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every five years.
  • Test plug-in appliances regularly with Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). How often depends on the appliance and how it is used—for example, every 2 to 4 years for IT equipment, and more often for hand tools.

Maintenance consists of:

  • cleaning
  • testing
  • repair
  • replacing parts

Water, heat and CO₂ technology

Control systems need to be reliable in order to prevent damage.

  • Calibrate EC, pH and CO₂ meters on time
  • Check for leaks regularly.
  • Repair problems immediately to limit consequential damage

right maintenance

With good preventive maintenance, you reduce the risk of malfunctions and unexpected costs.

Schedule fixed inspection rounds to do this, for example together with an employee. Address findings as quickly as possible. This will help keep your technical systems under control and keep your business safe and resilient.

Do you have questions about preventive maintenance?

Or would you like us to help look at the risks in your greenhouse business? Please contact your broker or a risk expert at Hagelunie.