Operating an asphalt plant can be considered a critical business because if anything goes wrong, the likelihood of the plant causing environmental damage and air pollution which can be detrimental to the health of people within the vicinity where the asphalt mixing plant is located cannot be ruled out.
For that reason, there are stiff regulations governing the operations of asphalt plants not just in the United States, but across most countries of the world.
Before you can legally open an asphalt plant in the United States, you must obtain the necessary permits and approvals from local, state, and federal authorities, including environmental permits, zoning permits, air quality permits, and compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.
Asphalt Plant Daily Maintenance Routine Checklist
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Inspection of Equipment and Facility
The first asphalt plant daily maintenance routine checklist you must do if you want to experience smooth and successful operations is to inspect all your equipment and the facility.
Apart from checking the facility, you are expected to check all components of the asphalt plant, and this includes conveyors, screens, heaters, and mixers.
What you intend to look out for when inspecting your equipment is to look for signs of wear, damage, or malfunction of any of your equipment. Trust me, if there is any wear, damage, or malfunction of any of your equipment, it will cost you a lot of left undictated.
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Lubrication
The reason why machines and equipment function is because they are well-lubricated. This is why one of the asphalt plant daily maintenance routine checklists you must do is to lubricate all your machines and equipment.
Make sure there is proper lubrication of bearings, chains, and moving parts to prevent friction and reduce wear which may hamper the smooth operations of your asphalt plant.
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Cleaning
The fact that asphalt mixing plants usually generate dirt or waste means that part of your daily maintenance routine checklist is to ensure that the plant is clean and in top shape.
Daily, you must make sure you remove debris, dust, and accumulated material from equipment and surrounding areas. Doing this will help you maintain cleanliness and prevent blockages that may slow or reduce the capacity of the asphalt mixing plant.
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Calibration
Another important asphalt maintenance daily routine checklist you must not neglect is the daily calibration of your equipment. Make sure you calibrate temperature gauges, flow meters, and other monitoring devices in your asphalt mixing plant.
The reason why calibration of your equipment is necessary is because it will guarantee accurate measurements and optimal performance of your asphalt mixing plant.
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Safety Checks
In the production industry and of course, in the field of engineering, “Safety First and Always” is a popular mantra, and every asphalt plant must make sure they enforce safety checks as part of their daily maintenance routine.
So, part of your asphalt plant’s daily maintenance routine is to inspect safety equipment, such as emergency stops, guards, and signage.
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Electrical System Check
Apart from mechanical parts, asphalt mixing plants also have electrical components hence these components must be thoroughly checked before the commencement of daily operations.
In this regard, you are expected to check electrical connections, wiring, and control panels for loose connections, corrosion, or damage. Of course, if any of these electrical components are faulty, it will hamper the proper functioning of switches and circuits.
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Dust Collection System
During the operations of asphalt mixing plants, dust is always produced hence the installation of a dust collection system. So, part of your asphalt mixing plant’s daily maintenance routine checklist should include the inspection of dust collectors, filters, and exhaust systems.
You must make sure your dust collection system is clean and they are in shape. This will ensure proper functioning, and it will minimize emissions and maintain air quality.
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Asphalt Storage Tanks
You are expected to monitor your asphalt storage tanks for leaks, cracks, or corrosion. If your asphalt storage tanks are in top shape it will ensure that you have proper temperature control of your asphalt storage tanks, and this will help you prevent your asphalt from solidifying.
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Environmental Compliance
You cannot operate an asphalt mixing plant without ensuring that the plant complies with the environmental requirements. In essence, you must ensure compliance of your asphalt mixing plant with environmental regulations by inspecting pollution control equipment, such as baghouses and scrubbers. You should also make sure you conduct thorough emissions testing of your asphalt mixing plant.
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Documentation
Lastly, another asphalt plant daily maintenance routine checklist, or rather what you should do daily after conducting the maintenance of your plant is to document all your daily activities as they relate to the maintenance of your asphalt plant.
It is very important to maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, inspections, repairs, and equipment performance. With this, it is easier for you to track maintenance history and ensure regulatory compliance.