Pump Enclosures: Benefits, Common Uses, and Customization
Unfortunately, many pumps stop working long before their maximum lifespan, and yet, the reason is often not due to the pump itself, but rather to what it’s exposed to. Environmental factors like rain, high/low temperatures, and even tampering by animals can slowly break down the parts of a pump over time. The solution to this, of course, is very simple: pump enclosures. By creating a barrier around your equipment, you increase longevity, but also lower repair costs. In this article, we’ll cover what pump enclosures are, some of their benefits, applications, design features, and more.
What Is a Pump Enclosure?
A pump enclosure is simply a barrier or housing placed around the pump to protect it from weather conditions, theft, damage, or unauthorized access. They can be made from many materials, but often use powder-coated steel, aluminum, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), composite panels, and more.
Modular pump enclosures are a popular type because they are prefabricated, which makes installation fast and keeps costs low. They’re also quite flexible, and they can be recustomized/upgraded later on, or even moved to a new location entirely if need be.
A Few of the Biggest Benefits of Pump Enclosures
So, why not leave your pump without an enclosure? Well, the answer almost invites itself, especially if your pump is outdoors. One of the biggest advantages of pump enclosures is that they protect your equipment from weather and/or environmental conditions, as these can shorten the pump’s life if overexposed.
Enclosures also keep out dust, animals, and other forces that may harm pumps, even if they’re indoors. If you have people working near the pump, its motors or engines can be loud enough to become a distraction, so that’s another factor to keep in mind. Enclosures can even be built with soundproofing materials to mitigate this as much as possible.
Common Applications
Pump enclosures can be used anywhere that pumps and related equipment need protection, but some of their most common applications include:
- Municipal water plants
- Agriculture/irrigation
- Oil and gas operations
- Construction
- Mining
- Chemical processing
Pump Enclosure Design Features/Customization Choices
Each pump enclosure, especially ones for different uses, will be outfitted with different features. At MachineEnclosure.com, we let you choose colors and finishes to match branding or help the enclosure blend in. Noise-dampening panels, as we discussed earlier, are also an option if you need to lower loud sounds, especially if you have staff working nearby.
Some enclosures have built-in counters and storage areas for tools/spare parts, maintenance supplies, or whatever else you may need. Others may want tight control over the environment within, so ventilation and temperature controls are also available.
There are almost countless ways you can design and customize your pump enclosure, but these days, and especially with modular, you can create the perfect environment for your equipment.
The Bottom Line
A pump enclosure is a fast and effective way to extend your equipment’s life, as well as cut down on maintenance costs. Regardless of whether you need one outdoors or indoors, the right enclosure can help your pump work at its best.
Interested in setting up modular pump enclosures at your location? Reach out to the experts at MachineEnclosure.com for a quote on new structures.
FAQs About Pump Enclosures
1. Are permits required to install a pump enclosure?
It depends on local building codes, but in most cases, yes. However, small or temporary enclosures might not need one.
2. Can pump enclosures help if there’s a flood?
Yes, definitely! We can elevate your enclosure and seal it at the base, in addition to using special water-resistant materials.
3. Can pump enclosures have lighting for nighttime work?
Yes, absolutely. Many enclosures are outfitted with LED lighting so that inspections and maintenance are easier, especially after dark. This lighting can be motion-activated or controlled by switches.
