Condenser Fan Bearing Causes Shopping Centre Fire

A Squeaky Bearing Ignored

One client ignored a squeaky bearing on their condenser fan motor, which was housed in the ceiling space above their cool room. It was a small noise, easy to dismiss. But bearings do not fix themselves.

The Consequences

When the motor overheated, a fire started and destroyed the entire refrigeration unit. The food court of the shopping centre was evacuated and the store lost two days of trade. Nearby shops in the food court were also affected by the disruption.

What It Would Have Cost to Prevent

From as little as $165 covering three months of servicing, or even a $190 motor replacement, this entire situation could have been avoided. Instead, the business risked destroying their livelihood and the operations of neighbouring shops.

The Takeaway

Small noises from refrigeration equipment are warning signs, not background noise. A squeaky bearing is telling you something is wrong. Regular maintenance catches these issues before they escalate into fires, evacuations and lost trade.

Allen Air makes maintenance affordable. When clients commence an ongoing refrigeration maintenance agreement, we also offer terms of credit of up to 30 days for approved customers, so you can manage your maintenance program and your cash flow.