Frick AcuAir, Manual

210.100-IOM (JUL 2018)

Page 37

ACUAIR

®

 HYGIENIC AIR UNITS

OPERATION

START-UP

Before attempting to start up and operate any electrical 
cooling equipment such as an AcuAir

®

 system unit, it is 

essential that all personnel associated with it have a basic 
knowledge of how and why the unit operates in normal 
conditions. The following description outlines a standard unit’s 
general features, operation, and controls.

An AcuAir system (Hygienic air unit) is an engineered heat 
transfer device that provides some or all of the listed functions: 

cooling, dehumidification, pressurization, filtration, heating, 

exhaust, and condensation control. Each unit is engineered 

and designed for a specific application.

Safeties and controls vary with each AcuAir system installation 
and may be interfaced with ancillary equipment or system 
controls. All operators should be thoroughly trained in an 
integrated cooling system’s sequence of operations and 
safeties. 

INITIAL START-UP

After installation of the AcuAir unit, controls and necessary 
ancillary and auxiliary equipment, the entire system should 

be verified before placing the hygienic system on-line for the 
first time. Specifically, the following prestart measures must 

be completed to ensure the readiness of the AcuAir system.

NOTICE

Do not attempt any inspection or maintenance unless 

the electrical supply has been completely disconnected 
and locked out.

Inspection

Do not start the unit until the following inspections verify 
operational readiness. Avoid accidents or equipment failure 
by rectifying any unsatisfactory condition.
•  Inspect general condition of unit, e.g., structural integrity, 

anchors/supports, etc. 

•  Confirm that all conduit openings through the walls of the 

AcuAir unit, as well as conduit openings into electrical 
panels, are sealed with electrical putty.

•  Confirm drive assembly condition and alignment of motor, 

bearings/collars, and fan/shaft.

•  Confirm proper belt condition and tension. (See 

Mainte-

nance 

section)

•  Verify there are no obstructions at the fans and fan guards.
•  Verify the correct rotation of the fans.

•  Understand and prepare for first 24 hour operation mea

-

sures e.g., new belt run-in procedures. (See 

New  Belt 

Run-in 

section)

•  Understand and prepare the unit prestart-up checklist. See 

Appendix A for the prestart-up form.

Blower, Motor, Drives

1. 

Mechanical Tightness 

  a. Verify tightness of fan bearing bolts.
  b. Verify tightness of blower wheels to shafts.

  c. Verify tightness of blower, motor, and sheave.
  d. Verify tightness of all motor mounting bolts. 

2. Belt Tension

  a. Adjust belt tension if slipping is evident.
  b. Verify belt tension after 50 hours of operation and again 

after 100 hours of operation.

NEW BELT RUN-IN 

During initial start-up of new belts, a belt run-in procedure 
is recommended. During start-up, follow these instructions:

1.  Listen and look for unusual noise or vibration.

2.  After shutting down and locking out the starter, check the 
bearings and motor. If they feel hot, the belt tension may be 
too tight.

3.  Run the drive under full load for 24 hours of continuous 
operation. Running the belts under full load allows them to 
seat themselves into the grooves.

4.  After running the drive, verify the tension of the belts. 
Re-tension to the recommended values.

This  run-in procedure will reduce the future need for re-
tensioning and will help extend the life of the belts.

Filters

The AcuAir unit is supplied with all filter racks in place. The 
filters  and  filter  clips  are  shipped  separately,  direct  from 
the filter supplier. Once the unit is completely installed and 

thoroughly cleaned, the 

prefilters and final filters should be 

installed  in  their  respective  holding  frames.  Once  the  final 
filters have been installed, the final filter section and the supply 

air ductwork should be cleaned and sanitized.

On units equipped with final filters, a final filter 

pressure gauge 

is shipped mounted. The high-pressure tube is connected to 
the gauge at the factory. 

The secondary port on the gauge 

needs to be field routed to the ductwork downstream of the 

final filters using the tubing supplied.

Cooling Coils

All refrigeration coils must be evacuated to remove moisture 
prior to charging. Do not leave system or coils open and idle 
prior to start-up. Internal corrosive damage can result.

Make sure piping is properly supported. Evaporators are not 
designed to support external piping. Evaporator piping and 
distributor tubing is not to be used for support or stepped on 
during the construction process.

The use of threading compounds at coil flanges with particles 

of metals (i.e. copper) embedded in the compounds can 
cause corrosion due to contact of dissimilar metals. Verify 
the compatibility of your construction materials with the coil 
material of construction.

Refrigerant sensing devices should be employed in the 
hygienic air system. These sensors should be selected and 
located based on the refrigerant within the system. When 
the refrigerant is ammonia, the sensors work well when 
placed inside the AcuAir unit immediately downstream of 
the cooling coil.