Industrie chimique : comment une climatisation inadéquate a failli provoquer un accident industriel majeur
Reading time: 4'

Chemical Industry: How Inadequate Air Conditioning Nearly Caused a Major Industrial Accident

Averted HVAC Failure: The Critical Role of Air Conditioning in Industrial Safety

In the chemical industry, every technical parameter is a matter of safety. Pressure, temperature, humidity, ventilation: everything must be precisely controlled. At AirGreen, we understand that HVAC installation in this type of environment is not just about thermal comfort—it’s about preventing major, and sometimes catastrophic, accidents.

That’s exactly what a recent emergency response in a Longueuil chemical plant revealed, where inadequate air conditioning nearly triggered a serious incident, narrowly avoided thanks to our expertise and rapid intervention.

A Critical Situation: Excessive Heat and Build-up of Volatile Vapors

That day, our team received an urgent call from the technical manager of a plant specializing in the production of industrial solvents. For several days, the central air conditioning system had been showing signs of weakness, but warnings were overlooked. That morning, a sensor detected an unusual accumulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a formulation room.

The cause: overheating of the ambient air, combined with ineffective internal ventilation. The temperature had already exceeded 29°C, causing accelerated evaporation of solvents in a space that lacked proper airflow.

AirGreen’s Intervention: Fast Diagnosis and a Custom Technical Solution

Less than 90 minutes after the call, our HVAC technicians were on site in Longueuil. Thermal analysis, duct inspection, control system checks: we quickly identified that the main wall-mounted air conditioner was not suited to the chemical environment of the room.

We immediately recommended—and installed the very same day—a MIDEA25 Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 12,000 BTU | R-32, paired with a smart sensor system for humidity and VOC detection. This unit ensures continuous cooling with exceptional temperature stability and compatibility for hazardous environments.

Why the MIDEA25 | 12,000 BTU | R-32 is Ideal for Sensitive Chemical Environments

  • R-32 refrigerant with low environmental impact, ideal for zones where leaks pose added risks

  • Precise temperature control and quick response to heat spikes

  • Advanced filtration system, capable of handling higher particle loads than standard residential models

  • 12,000 BTU capacity, perfectly calibrated for small chemical formulation zones

What This Mistake Could Have Cost

The plant manager told us that without our intervention, an automatic fire alarm would have triggered within the next hour, requiring:

  • Immediate evacuation of all personnel

  • Disposal of in-process chemical batches

  • Over $45,000 in raw material losses

  • A 48-hour production shutdown, resulting in a loss of over $100,000

The Most Dangerous HVAC Mistakes in Industrial Facilities

From our experience across Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, here are the most critical HVAC failures we’ve seen:

  • Installing non-industrial-rated equipment

  • Lack of redundant ventilation in high-risk zones

  • Neglected maintenance of filters and temperature sensors

  • Failure to integrate HVAC systems into industrial safety protocols

  • Poor calibration of wall-mounted heat pumps in relation to actual temperature curves

How AirGreen Stands Out in High-Risk Environments

We’re not just installers. We serve as technical partners in your critical operations. Every industrial project we manage is preceded by:

  • Comprehensive technical surveys, with thermal mapping of each zone

  • Chemical risk assessments, aligned with CSPQ and CNESST regulations

  • Strict equipment selection based on certifications, output, and resistance to corrosive environments

  • Proactive HVAC maintenance plans, with smart alerts and ongoing monitoring

Client Testimonial: “They Prevented a Six-Figure Loss at Our Plant.”

"We ignored a small noise coming from the unit… In less than a day, it could’ve turned into a major incident. The AirGreen team was responsive, skilled, and provided a solution perfectly adapted to our industrial reality. We now work with them on all our HVAC projects."

Similar Installations: Our Field Expertise in Action

We’ve carried out numerous interventions in sensitive environments, including:

  • Thermal control of pharmaceutical cleanrooms in Montréal

  • Replacement of a faulty wall-mounted air conditioner in a lubricant plant in Laval

  • Custom cooling system for a mobile laboratory in Boisbriand (North Shore)

  • Specialized ventilation project for an acid treatment plant in Saint-Hubert (South Shore)

AirGreen Expertise for the Chemical Industry

Our experience in industrial heat pumps and complex HVAC systems makes us the ideal partner for the chemical industry. One poor decision in air conditioning can be extremely costly—a good one can save an entire production line.

At AirGreen, we deliver more than just systems: we ensure stability, safety, and continuity for your industrial operations, throughout the South Shore, North Shore, Montréal, Laval, and Longueuil.

Leave a comment