BIRDWELL MODEL BWMX EXPLOSION
PROOF
WALL MOUNT AIR CONDITIONING
SYSTEMS
INSTALLATION, OPERATION,
AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
INTRODUCTION:
The Birdwell environmental control units were originally designed
for world-wide use on offshore oil drilling and producing platforms. In
approximately twenty years of use in this harsh environment, the rugged
corrosion resistance and reliability of the systems were proven to be significantly
superior to units that were designed for commercial and residential use.
Since that time, users such as refineries, steel mills, chemical plants,
pulp and paper plants, ocean going vessels and others having similar problems
with corrosion and/or hazardous conditions have found the Birdwell environmental
control systems to be tough and dependable.
The fundamental guidelines used in designing the systems were unrestricted
serviceability and ease of installation. Also of prime importance were
reliability, safety and resistance to corrosion. As a result of this criterion,
many believe these to be the finest units available for the intended market.
All cabinets and other sheet metal parts are constructed of not less
than 16 gauge type 304 stainless steel (doors are double wall) as standard.
Parts most subject to corrosion such as drain pans and exterior grilles
are furnished in stainless steel as standard. Coils are coated with high
bake phenolic. The units are available in several explosion proof configurations.
For a complete list of standard features and options, see the applicable
brochure.
INSTALLATION:
CAUTION: Before making any electrical connections or performing
any maintenance, make sure all power switches pertaining to this equipment
are turned off and locked. In addition to the danger of electrical shock,
the fan motors have internal overload protection that could restart a fan
without warning and cause serious injury!
Consult local codes or ordinances for specific requirements regarding
installation and the termination point of the condensate drain. A trap
is already installed in the drain line to prevent the entrance of outside
air.
RIGGING AND PLACEMENT:
Provide a wall opening for the supply/return air sleeve. Allow 1/4"
for clearance. Make sure the opening is squared. See product drawing for
unit dimensions and installation details.
Install foam gasket material around the sleeve to seal between the
sleeve and the wall.
The unit may be bolted to the wall using the wall mounting angles
and (if deemed necessary) set on a user supplied support frame. In any
case, be sure the wall anchoring system or the support is of sufficient
strength to support the unit weight.
The packaged, self contained BWMX unit has lifting eyes at the top
for convenient handling.
POSITIONING:
Unit condenser air inlet and outlets may be located in any direction
as the unit is not affected by wind direction. Provide adequate clearance
around and above the unit for unrestricted air flow, safety and service
access.
ELECTRICAL:
Field wiring must comply with the latest applicable articles of the
National Electrical Code and the requirements of the United States Coast
Guard in the case of offshore drilling/producing platforms or ocean going
vessel use. Wiring should be performed only by a qualified electrician.
In hazardous locations, install and pour seals between the unit and
all connecting conduit. Refer to articles 500 and 501 in the National Electrical
Code for specific requirements.
Size conductors using the data supplied on the nameplate. Use only
copper conductors. Be certain the available voltage matches the data on
the nameplate. A disconnecting means must be within sight from and readily
accessible from the unit. The unit must be securely grounded.
OPERATION:
If the installation is made during cold weather, do not start the
unit for a period of a few hours to allow time for the compressor crank
case heater to vaporize any liquid refrigerant that may have accumulated
in the crank case during storage. CAUTION: Failure to observe
this precaution could result in serious damage to the compressor valves
and/or bearings.
START UP PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Double check the voltage supplied to the unit to confirm
that it matches the nameplate requirements.
Step 2: Set the thermostat to a setting above the room temperature,
then turn the system switch to the "cool" position.
Step 3: Set the thermostat to a setting below the room temperature
to start the compressor.
Step 4: Set the thermostat to a setting below the room temperature,
then turn the system switch to the "heat" position.
Step 5: Set the thermostat to a setting above the room temperature
to start the electric
NOTE: The thermostat and system switch power is supplied by
intrinsically safe relays which allow the use of open (non-explosion proof)
contacts in hazardous (classified) locations.
MAINTENANCE:
NOTE: All maintenance should be performed by a qualified air
conditioning/heating mechanic.
MOTORS All fan and blower motors on the system are the sealed bearing
type and permanently lubricated, therefore no maintenance of the motors
is required.
BLOWERS The blowers and fans on the standard
units are direct drive,
AND FANS therefore there are no belts to service.
FILTER The filter should be checked at
least once per month or more frequently in dirty air conditions and replaced
as necessary.
COMPRESSOR The compressor is hermetically
sealed and factory charged with oil. No maintenance is necessary.
CONDENSER/ The condenser coil should be
cleaned at least once a year (more
EVAPORATOR often in dirty locations) using cleaning agent. This is
very impor-
COILS tant to maintain top efficiency and to prolong compressor life
by keeping operating pressures within normal limits. The evaporator coil
should be inspected at the same time and cleaned in the same manner if
needed.
CONDENSATE The condensate drain pan and
drain line should be checked and
DRAIN cleaned at a minimum of twice yearly, or more often if found
to be necessary.
REFRIGERANT The system is factory charged
with refrigerant and should not re-
CHARGE quire adjustment. The sight glass will show some bubbling
in very hot or very cold conditions and is not necessarily indicative of
a need for additional refrigerant.
If, at any time, the system should need an addition
of refrigerant, it should be added very carefully and only by qualified
personnel. Use only refrigerant 22!
NOTE: Whenever maintenance is being performed
on this equipment whereby the refrigerant system may be opened up to the
atmosphere, proper procedures for handling system refrigerant must be followed
according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Please refer to
Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 82 for EPA regulations.
If the system is low on refrigerant and the system
still has considerable pressure, the entire piping circuit should be checked
and the leak located and repaired before any refrigerant is added.
If the system is completely void of pressure, it
should be pressurized, the leak located and repaired, then a new liquid
line drier should be installed. After this is done, a good vacuum pump
should be connected to the system and a run for several hours to remove
any possible moisture that could be present. After the vacuum has been
pulled, weigh in the proper charge according to the data on the nameplate.
If any problem is encountered that is not covered
in these instructions, or for any question that might arise, call The Birdwell
Company in Houston, Texas: (281) 492-1786.
