Facilities Management (FM) companies are trusted to keep buildings running smoothly – from cleaning and security to mechanical and electrical systems. But when a process cooling system or industrial chiller goes down, it’s often the FM company that takes the hit.
Cooling failures don’t just affect the client’s operations – they damage your reputation, squeeze your margins, and risk losing long-term contracts.
In this article, we look at the common cooling pitfalls that trip up FM contracts – and how partnering with a specialist process cooling provider can keep your clients happy and your business profitable.
1. The hidden risk of one-size-fits-all maintenance
Many FM companies bundle chillers and cooling systems into a generic mechanical maintenance plan. The problem is – cooling plant requires specialist knowledge, tools, and checks.
A one-size-fits-all approach can mean:
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Refrigerant leaks go unnoticed until performance drops
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Flow rates and Delta-T aren’t monitored correctly
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Seasonal efficiency opportunities like free cooling are missed
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Early signs of compressor or pump failure are overlooked
Without targeted chiller maintenance, small faults can snowball into major breakdowns – leaving you footing the bill for emergency repairs.
2. Downtime costs you more than you think
When a cooling system fails in a manufacturing plant, data centre, or food processing facility, the impact is immediate.
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Production stops
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Temperature-controlled storage is compromised
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Sensitive equipment is at risk
Your client’s first call isn’t to the manufacturer – it’s to you.
Every hour of downtime damages their trust in your service and your ability to deliver on your contract.
3. Case study – prevention over panic
One FM company we worked with managed a large automotive site. During a routine inspection, our engineers identified an abnormal pressure drop on one of the chillers. The issue was traced to a blocked strainer – something easily fixed there and then.
Without that early intervention, the restriction would have caused a low-pressure trip within days, stopping production and potentially costing over £20,000 in lost output and repairs.
Because the FM team brought in a cooling specialist, the problem was resolved in minutes – and their client never even knew there had been a risk.
4. Five quick cooling checks every FM should insist on
Even if you subcontract your cooling maintenance, these basic checks will keep you ahead:
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Clean condenser coils – improves efficiency and prevents overheating
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Monitor Delta-T across evaporators – early warning for flow or load issues
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Inspect strainers and filters – avoid blockages that trigger flow alarms
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Check refrigerant levels and pressures – spot leaks before they cause trips
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Review seasonal settings – make sure free cooling is enabled when possible
5. How to integrate specialist subcontractors without bloating costs
Bringing in a specialist process cooling partner doesn’t mean losing control or profit.
The best FM-specialist partnerships work like this:
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Clear scope – define exactly what the subcontractor covers
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Joint reporting – share service records so you retain visibility
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Proactive scheduling – align cooling maintenance with your existing PPM visits
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Emergency support – agree on rapid-response callout terms in advance
This approach means you keep the client relationship while ensuring critical systems are in expert hands.
The takeaway
Facilities Management companies are judged on uptime, reliability, and client trust.
Cooling system failures can wipe out all three in one hit – unless you bring in the right expertise.
By partnering with a specialist process cooling provider, you protect your margins, reduce downtime risk, and deliver a service that keeps both your clients and your reputation intact.
Need a cooling specialist who works seamlessly with FM teams?
At Evolution Cooling, we work behind the scenes with FM providers across manufacturing, food processing, data centres, and more – delivering proactive maintenance, rapid breakdown support, and expert advice that keeps plant running efficiently.
📞 Call: 0121 820 8946
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.evolution-cooling.com
