An compressor installation location that's been given adequate forethought will prevent some problems, assist in the more efficient use of that compressor, and save you some significant operating and maintenance dollars over time.

Here's some tips on how to make your compressor's installation work for, and not against, you.

Compressor Noise

The folks at Jun-Air (among others, we're sure) make a compressor that we used to sell when in the compressor selling business. One of the neatest things about the Jun-Air, aside from its portability, was when it was operating there was the absence of noise. It was quiet!

We recall a customer seeing a demo, and we had the unit on their desk, running. They didn't know it was on, and it wasn't until it "unloaded" that they realized that we'd been having a normal decibel level conversation with a compressor running right beside us.

The downside of that type of compressor was its relatively limited capacity in CFM, and its price.

Most industrial compressors generate headache producing, eardrum thumping - and possibly ear damaging - noise. It's not good for you and certainly not good for colleagues and other staff that have to put up with it. Read up a bit on how incessant noise negatively affects work output and quality. You'll be glad you did.

Even in a small shop, consider building a sound-insulated wall around the compressor. Everyone will thank you for it and it will lead to higher productivity levels and quite likely better quality work if your staff doesn't have to wince or shout over the noise of the compressor while they are working.

Accessibility

You've built the wall, you and your employees are happy as "the sound beast" has now been contained and you can talk in the shop again without having to shout, but now it's time to do some maintenance work on the compressor.

It seems you've got to change out a part. Unfortunately, the part that has to come out is bigger than the doorway into the compressor room. Ooops! A problem for you...yes?