Securing a 24/7 compressed air supply

When every minute counts

Many of our compressed air clients operate on a 24/7 basis, which means a failure in any aspect of their process can have huge consequences. Whether it is a production facility that runs continuously or a hospital that needs to be able to decontaminate equipment at any time of day or night, unexpected downtime can have a considerable and costly impact.


After ensuring you have the correct set-up and equipment for your application and environment, there are four simple measures you should take to ensure a consistent supply of compressed air:

A tailored and planned maintenance programme

This is the most effective way to mitigate the risk of unexpected downtime and is crucial to reliability. Potential equipment failures can be identified and avoided by proactive servicing at appropriate intervals. Components that are well-maintained will also allow a compressor to run more efficiently and can extend its lifespan.


BCAS can design a bespoke maintenance plan to meet your specific needs.

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A back-up machine

Unfortunately, breakdowns can still occur, so for 24/7 operations, we recommend the installation of a back-up machine, to take over in the event of equipment failure.


Many of our clients purchase used equipment for this purpose. As long as it has been serviced by a professional, it should provide a crucial alternative source of compressed air until the main machine can be repaired.


With a range of new and second-hand compressors in stock, BCAS could have a cost-effective back-up machine ready to meet your needs.

Hold critical spares on site

However, this still leaves a process in a precarious position when the primary compressor is out of action and replacement parts are on order. 


Shipping and logistics issues appear to be at all all-time high with delivery on many items, including standard service kits, now being as long as 14 weeks.


For processes that cannot function without compressed air, BCAS advises clients to store critical spares and ideally a service kit, to avoid delays caused by long lead times. This usually involves just a small number of items, but it can mean the difference between a rapid repair and a catastrophe.


BCAS can advise on which spares you should hold on site for your specific equipment and corresponding lead times.

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Use professionals

Ensuring your compressed air supply is secure is relatively easy, but for operations where every minute counts, it should either be included within a Business Continuity Plan or have its own contingency plan in place.


Using experienced and fully qualified specialists can give you the peace of mind that your compressed air supply is secure and will not be a reason for disruption or delays.

BCAS has extensive experience of working with clients who operate on a 24/7 basis and will be happy to talk to you about your continuous operation. 


Contact BCAS Ltd.

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