The high copper and aluminium content found in all HVAC equipment makes yet another moving target for our criminal element. With local scrap dealers purchasing the materials (perceived to be legitimate), a lucrative market has emerged for these valuable commodities.
This has forced the owners of the equipment to introduce wherever possible, more effective measures to curb the plunder of their assets throughout their various property portfolios.
When viewing this unacceptable state of affairs, one can’t but help assuming that a large degree of technical expertise and know-how must surely be involved, thus pointing a finger directly at individuals with the necessary skills, technical know-how and unimpeded access to the site plantroom areas.
In order to get away with this type of theft under the very noses of their colleagues (and other staff), it is quite possible that the subterfuge is carried out under the guise of contracting staff undertaking service and repairs to the equipment in question.
In any event, theft of this nature will continue unabated as long as there is a market for the stolen materials. Anything resembling copper, brass, aluminium etc. is removed with impunity. Electrical cable, wiring, control panels etc. are stripped out for the copper content. In many cases the condenser and evaporator coils are removed, indicating that this is not a “one man” operation (given the weight of the coils). In extreme cases, even the compressors, fan motors, pumps etc are stripped out and removed from site.
Finding a solution to the problem is not easy. Securing plantrooms and free-standing equipment is an expensive exercise. Whilst insuring the equipment provides for a degree of financial integrity, it in no way compensates fully for the loss, leaving the landlord with additional operational costs down the line.
Clearly site security requires to be tightened up and improved upon, again at substantial cost to the landlord. In this regard, security camera surveillance is a positive deterrent, as is effective site access control monitoring.
So, what is planned for the unit referred to in this article? A decision has been taken to replace the plant with a new (155 kW) Air-cooled unit (commonly known locally as a “Hybrid” unit), to serve the affected (3 OFF) retail shops.
The existing unit enclosure (box) will be restored to new condition, all internal components stripped out and removed, to be replaced with new DX coils, fan wall, EC plug fans, electronic expansion valves and control panels. Remote VRF Air-cooled condensing units will be installed in close proximity, thus ensuring an energy efficient and cost-effective solution going forward.
Such conversions to existing (redundant) plant, have proved extremely successful and offer a sustainable alternative to a “like for like” plant replacement.
Patrick Burke FSAIRAC
RPM Consulting Engineers
