5 Key Considerations for Designing Your Compressor Room

Purchasing a compressor and its ancillary equipment has evolved tremendously in recent years. Customers no longer need to purchase the electric motor, starter and after-cooler separately. Today, they can be purchased as turnkey solutions and fully-integrated packages. Although the installation process is simpler, where and how you design the compressor room still requires a little work. 

Here are five important considerations when it comes to designing your compressor room.

Compressor system placement

Your compressed air system should be placed in a designated, centralized location. Placing the system close to points of use helps save space and improve energy efficiency by minimizing pressure drop with shorter piping. Normally, placement of your compressor system is contingent on finding an area with flat floors with sufficient weight-bearing capacity.

Adequate space and proximity to auxiliary equipment 

Installs should be sited for optimum routing of the distribution system, especially for larger installations with long piping. Situate the installation close to supplementary equipment such as pumps, fans and the cooling system, and make sure there is enough space for easy service and maintenance access.

Availability of clean intake air 

In order to operate efficiently, compressors require clean intake air free from solid and gaseous contamination. Introducing elements such as dust, dirt and gas can cause equipment to malfunction and decrease the overall air quality.

Room ventilation

Compressors generate a lot of heat, which is why ventilation is essential to maintaining an acceptable temperature in the facility. To properly ventilate your compressor room, air should be drawn in from the exterior of the building using properly-sized ducting. Calculating the quantity of ventilation air is determined by the size of the compressor and whether it is air- or water-cooled. Consult your compressor manufacturer for detailed information regarding a proper ventilation method, its quantity and flow.

Adherence to health and safety regulations

The health and safety of your employees should always be the number one priority. Remember to take into consideration other operations in your facility and whether or not they will interfere with, disrupt or potentially damage your compressor system. 

As always, refer to a compressed air expert prior to any install. For additional questions and guidance on designing a compressor room, leave a comment below or reach out to an Atlas Copco expert.