Preparing Your Shop for Peak Summer Heat

In this industry, we don’t get “summer breaks.” While the rest of the world is heading to the beach, service bays and industrial facilities are hitting their peak. But when the thermometer climbs past 90°F, your shop floor can easily hit 105°F+.

Heat isn’t just a comfort issue, it’s an operational hazard. It slows down your techs, kills your equipment’s lubrication, and puts your facility’s cooling systems under massive strain. At GDB Group, we don’t believe in “toughing it out.” We believe in outsmarting the season.

Here is how to prep your facility before the first heatwave hits.

Standard pedestal fans just move hot air in circles. To actually combat a heatwave, you need High-Volume, Low-Speed (HVLS) fans. These massive blades create a “floor jet” that can make your team feel up to 12°F cooler through evaporative cooling.

Are your fans positioned to clear “dead zones” between racking or service bays?

We don’t just sell fans; we map your facility’s airflow. We ensure your HVLS system works in tandem with your doors to create a constant, cooling breeze that keeps productivity from tanking at 2 PM.

Your security and service doors are the biggest “leaks” in your climate control. If your seals are cracked or your doors don’t close flush, you’re literally paying to cool the parking lot.

Inspect the weather stripping and bottom seals on every rolling steel and sectional door.

If you’re running high-traffic bays, consider switching to high-speed doors. They minimize the “open time,” keeping the heat out and the expensive air in.

High temperatures change the viscosity of your oils and greases. A lubricant that worked perfectly in November might be “running like water” in July, leading to premature gear wear and seized bearings.

Review the temperature ratings of your current fluids.

We help our partners transition to high-temp synthetic lubricants that maintain their film strength even when the shop is baking. Don’t wait for a machine to seize to realize your oil failed.

Heat adds resistance to electrical circuits. Your door motors, compressors, and conveyors are working harder in the summer.

Clean your motor housings. Dust acts as an insulator, trapping heat and leading to motor burnout.

A quick preventative maintenance (PM) visit in May can save you a 2 AM emergency repair call in July. We check the “vitals” so you don’t have to.

Your team is your most valuable asset. If they’re dragging due to heat exhaustion, your billable hours take a hit.

Ensure your hydration stations are easily accessible and that your team understands the signs of heat stress.

The “Big Box” vendors will sell you a fan and wish you luck. GDB Group North America looks at the whole picture, from the HVLS fans that move the air to the doors that keep the heat out.