Background. AEM Tier 2 Worksheet Greenhouse Maintenance

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1 AEM Tier 2 Worksheet Greenhouse Maintenance Glossary Ambient Temperature: The outdoor temperature surrounding the greenhouse. It determines indoor temperature trends. Evaporative Cooling: The introduction of moist air which draws heat energy as it evaporates, leaving indoor air cooler; works best when outdoor humidity is low. Generally this is an active system which needs maintenance for optimum benefit. Glazing: The single or double layering of plastic film, acrylic or glass that acts as the greenhouse wall or ceiling and is integral to light, temperature, and humidity of the greenhouse. Shading: The use of fabric or chemical products to reduce solar energy s effect on indoor light levels and temperature. Background Threats to the integrity of a facility and its systems include: frost heaving, poor drainage, poor electrical service, concrete deterioration, peeling or flaking paint, corrosions of steel equipment and reinforcing, puncturing of clay or synthetic liners, plumbing rupture, loss of backflow prevention, and loss of secondary containment systems. Preventive maintenance minimizes factors that cause deterioration. Timely repair of small problems prevents them from becoming larger issues, and minimizes algae growth and other pest problems. Environmental control is a key component of Integrated Pest Management, especially of disease management. All employees responsible for maintenance activities are thoroughly trained in the maintenance activity itself, as well as precautions to prevent personal accidents and environmental releases. Greenhouse staff not specifically assigned to maintenance activities should still be responsible for reporting any malfunctioning or suspect equipment or process. Water is the carrier of chemicals into the environment. The more we can keep water where it needs to be, the less contaminated water we have to deal with. (Continued on page 2) Agricultural Water Quality Principle Any deterioration of the greenhouse jeopardizes the safety of workers and the environment by facilitating the introduction of greenhouse chemicals into the soil and water. AEM Tier 2 Worksheet Greenhouse Maintenance 6/05 Page 1 of 5

2 Background continued All equipment and systems are inspected routinely, and notes regarding problems are kept. Inspection checklists are individualized for facilities. All equipment is tracked through a preventive maintenance system. PM is performed routinely, and all records of maintenance activities are kept and can be associated with individual pieces of equipment. Repeated problems are noted and preventive maintenance schedules are adjusted accordingly. Good housekeeping is integrated into preventive maintenance and repair activities. Systems are shut down properly, staff are alerted, work areas are isolated or otherwise identified, and work proceeds only when the area, the tools, and the equipment are fully prepared. At the end of repair, all systems are returned to proper functioning, staff are notified, and the work area is returned to its original condition. AEM Tier 2 Worksheet: Greenhouse Maintenance Are mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural components inspected? What external drainage system is in place to prevent excess water from entering the greenhouse? Are leaks identified and repaired? staff note problems as they staff note problems as staff note problems as they occur; equipment and systems they occur; equipment occur; no routine are inspected routinely (at least and systems are inspections or records kept yearly) through the use of inspected routinely (at facility-specific checklists; least yearly); records records are kept are kept drainage around structure is checked periodically by visual inspection; ponding is avoided by proper grading around structures; landscape plantings are kept away from drainage system; contaminants can not enter the system program is in place to identify leaks, contain and repair promptly drainage around structure is checked periodically by visual inspection, and contaminants can not enter the system plumbing leaks are reported and follow-up effort is made to ensure that repairs are made drainage problems are fixed as they occur and contaminants may be able to enter the system plumbing leaks are identified, some effort for containment staff note problems as they occur or when problem intensifies, no records kept drainage problems occasionally remain until significant and contaminants are likely entering the system plumbing leaks are often ignored AEM Tier 2 Worksheet Greenhouse Maintenance 6/05 Page 2 of 5

3 AEM Tier 2 Worksheet: Greenhouse Maintenance Continued How are irrigation systems maintained? What are spill cleanup procedures? How is concrete maintained? How are plastic coverings disposed? How is glazing maintained to prevent excess water entry? How are shading materials selected and applied? How are shading materials removed? hose couplings and other irrigation systems are irrigation systems do not connections are kept tight and inspected and leaks are receive regular inspection; leak free; irrigation leaks are repaired promptly leaks are repaired promptly repaired immediately when they are discovered; periodic inspections are conducted spills are cleaned up promptly; secondary containment is used where appropriate concrete damage is repaired promptly; concrete is inspected routinely; expansion joints are sealed recycled glazing repairs are made immediately upon discovery of damage or leaks; glazing is inspected routinely automatic shading is provided by movable curtains in the greenhouse automatic shading is provided by movable curtains in the greenhouse spills are cleaned up promptly concrete is well maintained and cracking is repaired promptly sanitary landfill leaks and glazing are maintained and repairs are made promptly applied as needed, but only when weather will remain clear and until material is well-dried allowed to be removed by snowfall; easily removable formulations are used concrete cracking is repaired annually as needed leaks and glazing are repaired periodically applied on schedule on a yearly or more frequent basis removed on schedule with water and scrubbing; easily removed formulations are used where appropriate irrigation systems do not receive regular inspection; leaks are repaired, but may remain active for extended periods spills are cleaned up as soon as possible concrete cracking occasionally is allowed to progress until cracks cause tripping or other hazards kept on property greenhouse leaks and broken glazing are repaired infrequently applied when time permits and may deteriorate before replacement conventional shading material is removed on schedule with acidic cleansers AEM Tier 2 Worksheet Greenhouse Maintenance 6/05 Page 3 of 5

4 AEM Tier 2 Worksheet: Greenhouse Maintenance Continued How is an evaporative cooling system maintained to reduce water leakage? How are ventilation systems maintained to control greenhouse temperatures and humidity? Are maintenance needs sufficiently communicated? fans, pads, and water fans, pads, and water systems fans, pads and water systems are periodically are periodically inspected systems are not routinely monitored; water bleed and excessive leakage or monitored; leakage and off is adjusted bleed off is corrected; system bleed off are not monitored; appropriately; leaks are is operated only during cooling system is operated repaired promptly; hottest weather seasonally, regardless of operation is linked to actual ambient temperature environmental controls are used only when needed and inspected and maintained quarterly concerns as they occur; greenhouse staff and maintenance personnel discuss repairs where appropriate to maximize long-term effectiveness of repairs; greenhouse staff and maintenance personnel meet regularly to discuss preventive maintenance and foreseeable maintenance issues affecting greenhouse structural integrity and plant care are inspected and maintained yearly concerns as they occur; greenhouse staff and maintenance personnel discuss repairs where appropriate to maximize long-term effectiveness of repairs are maintained when functional problems arise concerns as they occur, solutions are appropriately timed systems are not monitored and operate regardless of actual ambient temperature day or night are in disrepair concerns as they occur, action is not always timely AEM Tier 2 Worksheet Greenhouse Maintenance 6/05 Page of 5

5 Other: 1. Are vertebrate pests prevented from tunneling in under or around the structure and drainage systems? 2. What treatment methods are used to reduce microbial and algae growth on evaporative cooling pads? 3. Are employees responsible for maintenance activities thoroughly trained in the maintenance activity itself, as well as precautions to prevent personal accidents and environmental releases?. Are work areas regularly cleaned and floors kept free of debris to eliminate pest refuges and harborages? 5. Are all mechanical, pump, sump and drain systems and equipment put on recommended preventive maintenance schedules and monitored for problems? Additional Comments: AEM Tier 2 Worksheet Greenhouse Maintenance 6/05 Page 5 of 5