Strategies for successful greenhouse maintenance

Plan for maintenance proactively to protect technology investments and ensure crop productivity. Operations and maintenance (O&M) plans preserve the mission-critical equipment that is depended upon for year-round operation by tracking these systems and recommending activities to prolong component life and protect capital investments. Equipment in greenhouses is expected to operate in extreme and dynamic conditions. Coverings and glazing are subjected to intense sunlight as well as whatever weather local climates have to offer, like wind, rain, snow, and hail. The hot and humid environments inside greenhouses corrode metal, foul evaporative cooling pads, and require HVAC systems to run year-round to maintain proper temperature and humidity setpoints. As these systems keep plants alive, emergency shutdowns from component failures are not just inconvenient, they can be catastrophic for horticultural production and research activities.

As an example, the state of Vermont is home to more than 500 nurseries and greenhouses that must handle muggy summers and freezing winters if they are to operate year-round. The state is getting warmer and wetter due to climate change, and this means facilities and the environmental control systems within them must contend with bigger temperature and humidity swings. The importance of maintaining building systems is mission-critical.

Five Types of Maintenance

Maintenance planning for specialized buildings like greenhouses can address five major categories:

• Facility Integrity: structures, coverings, vents
• Safety Systems: fire suppression systems, emergency alarms

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Source: Greenhouse Grower