What To Report When The Plant Goes Down
Give us the key facts first, even if the fault is still not fully clear. A short, accurate report helps us send the right people, tools and spares, which saves time on site and avoids repeat trips.
- Equipment type and location on site, such as boiler room, plant room or laundry
- What happened just before the fault, for example low pressure, high temperature, ignition failure or no hot water
- Any alarm lights, error codes, noises, smells or visible leaks
- Whether the unit is still on load or has been shut down by the operator
- Site access details, security requirements and contact person on arrival
Steps To Take Before You Call
Put safety first. If there is steam, a fuel smell, a water leak near electrics, or signs of overheating, isolate the plant if your site procedure allows it and keep unauthorised staff away. Do not keep resetting a burner or restarting a heater when the same fault returns.
- Confirm the exact equipment name and asset number if available
- Check if there has been a power cut, water loss or gas supply issue
- Note whether the fault started after maintenance, a cleaning cycle or a municipal outage
- Keep the plant room clear so the technician can inspect valves, controls and pipework safely
In many Gauteng sites, breakdowns follow load-shedding, voltage dips or low water quality, so those details matter. On coastal sites, humidity and corrosion can also affect controls and terminal boards.
When An Emergency Callout Is The Right Move
Some faults can wait for a planned visit, but others need urgent attention. Call immediately if the plant has tripped repeatedly, there is risk of product spoilage, production has stopped, or the unit is leaking hot water or steam.
We attend commercial and industrial sites where downtime costs money, including factories, schools, hospitals, laundries, kitchens and process plants. If your system is on a tight schedule, tell us the consequences of delay so we can prioritise correctly.
- No hot water for critical washing or sanitation
- Burner not firing and plant pressure falling
- Unstable combustion, smoke or soot at the flue
- Incinerator temperature problems or door seal damage
- Repeated nuisance trips after a recent service
How Our Breakdown Response Works
Once your report comes in, our support team checks the job details, confirms the equipment type and assigns the nearest available technician or project engineer. For Jet Park and the surrounding East Rand, that can mean a quick dispatch. For Pretoria, Midrand, Sandton or further out, we plan the route and keep you updated.
We carry out fault finding, safe isolation checks, combustion checks, leak inspection, control testing and repair work where possible on the first visit. If the issue needs fabrication, refractory work or specialist spares, we will explain what is needed before moving ahead.
- Phone or email log-in with plant details
- Initial fault assessment and site attendance
- Repair, adjustment or temporary safe shut-down advice
- Follow-up report with findings and recommended maintenance
What Our Team May Check On Site
Breakdowns are often caused by more than one issue, so we inspect the full system rather than only the obvious fault. That may include burners, pumps, sensors, valves, flame detection, controls, wiring, seals, insulation, refractory and water treatment condition.
Where scaling, corrosion or poor feedwater quality has damaged the unit, we can advise on water treatment support and longer-term plant refurbishment. If the problem is combustion related, combustion tuning can help bring the plant back into stable, fuel-efficient running. A small typo in paperwork is one thing, but a missed fault on a boiler is another, so we work through the checks properly.
Send The Breakdown Details To Our Support Team
Email engineering@ai-tec.co.za with the site name, address, contact person and a short description of the fault. If the plant is critical, mark it clearly as an urgent breakdown and include a mobile number that is answered on site.
Ai-TEC was founded in 2009 and continues to support commercial and industrial clients with boiler servicing, calorifier maintenance, inline heater repairs, incinerator servicing and plant refurbishment. From Boksburg to Pretoria, and from Kempton Park to Sandton, we keep the process practical and the communication clear.
- State the urgency and any production impact
- Include photos if the fault is visible
- List any recent work, parts replaced or water treatment changes
- Advise if access is after hours or through security control
