Recently spotted undergoing trials in Marlborough is a new style blade fitted to an Amarillo frost fan.
This sucker is a whopper. Estimates from photo comparisons put it at approximately 6.4 metres long. This would be the longest blade diameter currently known in NZ (for a frost fan).
Astute observers will note that the design has at least made some attempt to shape the blades in an aerodynamic fashion, although devotees will realise that it takes more than shaping some curves into the end of your metal to produce an efficient design.
The site of the blade is one subject to a recent Environment Court ruling that imposed a condition of consent that the cumulative noise from both machines should be no more than 55dBA L10 at 300 metres. For those so inclined, take a drive down Paynters road in Fairhall (just outside Blenheim). Or you could view the location here on Google Maps.
For those that need reminding the picture below is the standard Amarillo blade shape. I know they look crude, but...... OK, they have no redeeming features other than being crude.
On another point, I know that I've poked the borax at the Department of Labour (OSH) in the past, but I'm glad to see their message getting through to operators of cherry pickers like the guy in the top photograph. For those who want to know, the accepted safe practice is to be wearing a safety harness when working in a cherry picker. That may be it draped on the rail beside him. Perhaps he took it off so he could reach out of the platform as he appears to be doing. If anyone cares, please leave a comment on this post and I can try to find out who 'safety first' guy is.
11 comments:
Thanks to the person that posted a comment identifying 'safety guy' in the picture. I have made the decision not to publish his name ('safety guy' that is) since he apparently reappeared a couple of days after the blog post complete with harness and hard hat. His colleagues on the ground also had hard hats so I suppose it's possible that someone is reading the posts? The big question is was it 'safety guy', OSH or FMR (who I believe may be the company that installs Amarillo fans)?
Great detective work to the poster of the comments though!
Hi J frost, you said in a eriler post re the property in painters rd being in a residential zone ,so i take it the ain of this monster blade is less noise? yay!! .Any news on how its sounding compared with the meny other machines in that area.Look forward to Good news?
Hi there. The fan isn't in a residential zone, but there are two that are within 500m of a residential zone (actually rural residential, but regarded as residential by the legal beagles in the Council).
I haven't seen any testing data on the fans, but have heard (pun intended) that they run slower and quieter.
Very good news.I have done some reserch with regards the new blade and have been told before long it will be available as a retrofit to exsisting machines.The interesting bit will be will the exsisting owners upgrade or not.....?
Thanks for your comment. Did you have any additional information on the blade?
I have made inquiries and apparently there are now two of the larger ones installed and that they are green. No reports on noise other than anecdotal that they appear quieter.
I have be doing some more finding out and the new blade spins very much slower and according to a gentleman who enquired about purchasing one the test results are still being documented but he was shown the draft and the claims of the current 3 blades on the market are all incorrect including the amarillo and none come in under 60 dba at 300m including the frost boss (and as i believe you allready know they all incur special audible charecteristics.this new blade does come in under 50dba (L 10) and doesnt incur special audable .they will be available to current owners to upgrade to also .hope this info helps you but it all sounds goog though doesnt it?
Boy! It's sure taking a while to document the testing. Hopefully it will show a significant improvement.
I can't imagine owners of current machines upgrading unless there are significant performance benefits or there is a major sea change in the noise regulations (which would be difficult). There may well be scope for neighbors to approach owners with offers of splitting costs for retrofitting in certain situations perhaps? This would be a real sign of responsible management of the environment on the behalf of frost fan owners.
I'm also going to pick that there may be a bit of a bun fight over the noise levels here if FMR start claiming that other manufacturers noise data is bogus. I'm not saying it IS bogus, but FMR should be the last people to start calling the kettle black given their track record of supporting questionable measurements.
it may be worth you while to ask the council for a copy of the documents provided with the aplication for building consent ,they show the noise levels relivant to the brands being supplied.only two days to go till the figures will be released on the defender for noise and performance to the public.apparntley the testing has been done by the university of cantabury so must be accurate?
Not sure about the documents submitted to the Council for building consent. While frost fans do require a building consent, I'm not sure of whether a noise measurement is required as well. I suppose it is, since I presume that there is an onus to ensure that the machines do comply with the current regulations. Hmm.. Interesting...
Also interesting is your statement that the measurement figures will be out in a couple of days? I hadn't heard anything on a date, so if you see anything, I'd appreciate a heads up. I'd be keen to make sure people knew how good these things are if the testing confirms their advertising. And yes, I would expect a University to provide accurate scientific testing. While they have a certain vested interest by being tied to the industry (I assume that FMR is funding the research), their process of peer review is always a great way of ensuring a sound (pun intended) scientific result. Looking forward to the info.
If your that worried about the noise move somewhere else where there is no wind machines. Stop slating FMR's name!!
Your right! I shall begin slating Orchard Rite immediately!
Oh, hang on I think I've done that too. Frankly the Amarillo is a pretender to the throne of nuisance. The Orchard Rite machines are KING! Let's not forget poor old Frost Boss. The joker in the pack don't they deserve a look in?
Besides, FMR are fully capable of embarrassing themselves. It's not like they need my help.
Post a Comment