The global HVAC industry is rapidly changing with the trend towards natural refrigeration systems, although these still need controls and compartments. Such systems match the needs of a growing building industry worldwide, including stores and offices, with a parallel demand for large HVAC installations.
This, together with constant upgrading of old systems with more efficient, lower energy equipment, means that the specialist hardware for HVAC packages is in increasing demand.
As Andy Billingham, managing director, EMKA (UK), points out, EMKA manufactures an expanding range of products for the HVAC industry and much of the range is modular, offering the designer and end user many options. This covers products that meet the relevant European standards, such as: DIN EN 1886 and VDI 6022.
“Traditionally, HVAC cabinets have had a unique combination of requirements which call for a specialist mix of hardware accessories. From the beginning, we at EMKA have sought to meet the needs of the HVAC industry – a process which has culminated in availability of a complete programme dealing with thick doors, IP65 sealing, personal safety (inner door handles etc.), large handles (for gloved hands), corrosion-resistance, heavy door weights, external viewing requirement, multi-level access (eg, padlocking), inset handles, compression locking, pressure relief prior to opening, corner frame pieces, lifting lugs and much more.”
PANEL HARDWARE
For EMKA, this has culminated in a special package of panel hardware – in fact, “everything but the enclosure” – for the HVAC panel builder, designed for HVAC installations to meet the needs and regulations of HVAC enclosures and cabinets.
This includes thick insulated doors and panels requiring plastic handles to give a more comfortable grip, and plastic components to eliminate thermal bridging from one side to the other. Large operating elements, such as handles, allow for thick gloves and safety features where needed, such as the ability to open doors from the inside.
“The extensive range derived from these requirements features long bodies for ¼ turn, as well as traditional T and L compression handles with full 6mm gasket pull-down facility,” adds Billingham. “Where complete panel removal is required, then a bridge clamp system is offered, along with lifting handles. Heavy-duty and adjustable hinges facilitate door fitment – while frame components include corner pieces and heavy duty lifting/transport lugs.”
In particular, EMKA has recently launched a compression locking hinge for HVAC installations that provides HVAC manufacturers with a full multi-function hinge/latch/lock for securing of big air conditioning units and similar. It delivers door adjustment for correct sealing, 5mm gasket pull-down with pressure relief, and the ability to be used as both door lock and hinge.
DECOMPRESSION FACTOR
This new locking hinge provides an independent 3D adjustable hinge facility integrated into a compression latch/lock with decompression function. “Users can adjust door alignment and open the door, either right hand or left hand hinged – or remove it completely. The decompression feature is important for HVAC, allowing any over/under-pressure to be vented safely before opening. Locking options include standard round cylinder options.”
The EMKA Compression Latch-Hinge is designed to meet the particular demands of HVAC applications, with features that provide ease of assembly, adjustability, pressure differential accommodation and flexibility for the end user. “Once assembled to the door, the EMKA compression latch can be adjusted to properly mate to the cabinet by moving both vertically and horizontally,” Billingham explains. “Then, after installation, the alignment of the latch can be adjusted to eliminate leaks. The latch will then prevent the door from opening fully until pressure has been equalised.”
This enables service engineers to remove panels to improve access, such as in windy conditions, and also for internal and external opening doors. This ensures the door will not blow open which would otherwise happen if the pressure were not relieved. This is especially applicable to main units of HVAC systems where gaining access to electro-mechanical equipment, namely at big supermarkets etc.
The EMKA series of specialist handles for thick doors are designed to accommodate thermally insulated or sound-proofed panels of unusual thickness. They are also designed with large handles for operation with gloved hands – for example, in cold rooms or HVAC air conditioning installations; they are suitable for package generator sets and sound proofed rooms. They are also suited to other thick panel applications, such as specialist trailers and vehicle bodies, or for agricultural use in situations where gloves are normally worn.
Meanwhile, heavy-duty programme 1046 weld-on or bolt-on hinges with concealed fittings and removable hinge pins accommodate both the weight of large doors and the need to remove them quickly – factors which can also call for adjustable hinges. Frequently, the 1054 3D hinge is required to deal with this situation.
SEAL OF APPROVAL
“Installing panels that do not leak is probably the main challenge of the HVAC industry,” he says. “EMKA has solutions for both positive and negative differential pressure demands and are gasket experts, providing custom-fit solutions to a wide variety of applications. We provide Silicon, EPDM and PVC gaskets in a wide variety of profiles and are able to provide 90° corners with mitre cuts for complete no-gap seals. Pre-assembled gasket frames with sealed mitred corners and sealed joined ends are available to maximise sealing for pressurised systems.”
The HVAC standard component range includes a viewing window with clear polycarbonate glass and annular spacer in black polyamide, using a black galvanised steel fixing ring and foamed seal. “The viewing window is adjustable to fit from 35 to 55 mm door thickness by rotating the spacer ring, while excellent sealing is ensured by foamed in place gaskets – so there are no loose O-rings or silicone sealants required.”
Several other accessories complete the programme, including Crane brackets or transport lugs in steel or stainless steel for safe transport of completed units, plus compression locks with adjustable depth cams offering 6mm compression; rod control systems with internal L handles for easy operation; and bridge clamp wing knobs to enable positive pull down for secure door sealing and to allow removal of complete panels.
