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January 18th, 2018Success Stories Product Information

Supporting National Monument with Custom Climate Controlled Enclosure

EIC provides the National Park Services a way to protect their fire alarm system with a custom climate controlled enclosure.

Custom climate controlled enclosure for fire alarm system.Pipe Spring National Monument was established in 1923 and is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) to preserve and protect a natural water source and resources associated with human history in the remote high-desert of the Arizona Strip. The monument also serves to interpret complex historic interactions between Mormon settlers, Native Americans, and the US Government. The monument preserves an assemblage of 19th-century structures built adjacent-to and encompassing natural springs that were the only reliable source of water for original inhabitants and settlers. The massive stone and timber buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Custom Climate Controlled Enclosure built for the Pipe Spring National Monument

In 2017, the monument needed to upgrade the fire alarm system for both human and structural protection. Fire code requires that the fire alarm control panel be installed in a climate controlled room. Initially, the new alarm control panel was to be installed in one of the building’s rooms to minimize temperature swing. However, due to the historic nature of the structures, none of the stone buildings are climate-controlled. The potential temperatures in summer and winter would not meet the alarm equipment manufacturer’s recommended operating temperature, nor meet the required safety codes.  The park superintendent was also not comfortable with the structural modifications required to install the conduit and modern control panel in a room that otherwise maintained its 19th-century appearance, thus requiring a custom climate controlled enclosure.  

A web search for “climate-controlled equipment boxes” quickly connected the NPS with EIC Solutions. EIC’s sales engineers worked directly with the park staff to determine a suitable enclosure size based on the dimensions of the equipment and the limitations of the installation space. EIC’s team also selected a thermoelectric cooler with the proper amount of cooling and heating capability to accommodate the ambient temperature swings and the amount of heat generated by the alarm panel while still maintaining the equipment’s recommended operating temperatures. The recommended air-conditioned enclosure  configuration included:

Custom climate controlled enclosure blending in with national monument

  • One NEMA 4 enclosure, 24” High X 30” Wide X 8” Deep, suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations.
  • ¾” R3 insulation installed within the enclosure to minimize the effect of the ambient environment on the internal temperature while also maximizing the performance of the heating and cooling unit.
  • One 140B series ThermoTEC Thermoelectric Air Conditioner (400 BTU) with optional heating capability (100 watts) which was fully integrated into the enclosure
  • One EF-140B extension frame to eliminate the protrusion of the air conditioner into the enclosure while also providing adequate space for the customer’s equipment.

The custom climate controlled enclosure design recommended by EIC fit within an existing equipment-concealment box in the courtyard of the historic fortification. This allowed the park to meet the requirements for the fire protection system while also meeting the cultural resource preservation mandates of the National Historic Preservation Act.  

The custom climate controlled enclosure blending in as part of the historical structure.When installing sensitive equipment in a space that cannot be environmentally-controlled for historic preservation or other reasons, EIC Solutions has a product that will meet your needs. With numerous enclosure configurations and cooling options available, EIC can offer an equipment protection solution that is perfect for your application. Contact one of our knowledgeable sales engineers today for a complete recommendation.

EIC Solutions, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacturing of thermoelectric cooling systems, air-conditioned electronic enclosures, and transit cases for a wide range of industries. Our products have been used in a variety of enclosure cooling applications involving the protection of electronic equipment both indoors and outdoors.  EIC Solutions strives to provide the best products, resources, and tools to help customers protect investments in sensitive electronics. If you have questions regarding any of our products, please contact us online or call us at 800-497-4524.

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