Broxap KENNELS Manual

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 1 of 12
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE MANUAL
KENNELS

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 2 of 12
Contents
Introduction
Health & Safety Information
Materials & Processes
Cleaning, Maintenance & Repair Guidelines

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 3 of 12

Introduction
Broxap kennels systems have been supplied to designs that have been proven over
years of development and installation.
Kennels can be supplied in a number of different sizes with various run combinations
and electric packs to suit every situation and environment.
To aid in ensuring the maximum life can be realised with the product, along with
minimising the costs for major refurbishment, this manual has been created to assist
in the ongoing maintenance requirements along with identifying important points that
should be followed at all times.
Broxap are ISO9001 (Quality), ISO14001 (Environmental) and OHSAS18001 (Health
and Safety) certified through the BSI.
These 3 standards have been utilised during the design, manufacture, processing
and delivery of the product. Our commitment to providing a service of quality that
takes into consideration the effects of the environment during its manufacture and life
plus the health and safety of the Customers has been fully considered.
Other standards that have also been considered during product design and
manufacture are:
BS EN ISO 1461:2009 (Hot Dip Galvanized Coatings on Fabricated Iron & Steel
Articles)
BS EN ISO 13920:1997 (General Tolerances for Welded Constructions)
JSP 315 Scale 14 (Dog Section Accommodation – Military Applications)

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 4 of 12


Health&SafetyInformation 
The vast majority of products supplied / installed have no specific operating
instructions once they have been installed. However, there is a need for certain
Health and Safety notes to be considered at all times during its use and ongoing
maintenance.
These being:
Product that has any Broxap electrical installation should be maintained by Broxap
personnel or an approved electrician only. Under no circumstances should water
be splashed over electrics or hose pipes directed at them. Broxap have taken
every precaution with respect to installed electrics, by ensuring they have basic
protection from damp and water.
When routine maintenance is being undertaken there is a requirement for the
customer to observe the required Health & Safety information for the materials /
products being used. Broxap identify that:- It is the Customer’s responsibility to
ensure that full care, responsibility, correct operation / use and training are
adhered to at all times.
Broxap cannot accept any responsibility for any damage or injury to persons or dogs
as a result of not working in the proper, correct and intended manner.
Should any structural concerns, product failure, product quality or issues relating to
ongoing maintenance and repair of the product be necessary, then it is strongly
recommended that in the first instance contact is made directly with Broxap.
The sleeping area of each unit is constructed from an insulated material that has two
external plastic surfaces with Styrofoam and MDF wood liner. The edges of each
panel are sealed with an aluminium extrusion.

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 5 of 12
Materials&Processes 
As the product is designed to utilise various customer requirements, the following is a
list of materials and processes that could have been used during its processing:
Materials
Mild steel
Extruded Aluminium capping
White uPVC insulated board
Toughened glass
Phenolic coated plywood
Plastic / aluminium guttering and downpipes
Stainless steel
Fixings - Grade 8.8
Proprietary locking mechanisms on doors
Processes used
Bending, forming, fabrication and welding
Hot dip galvanizing
Sandwich bonding of boards
Toughening of glass
Extrusion of aluminium
Resin cross bonding of plywood
Zinc plating of fasteners

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 6 of 12
Cleaning,Maintenance
&
Repair 
This section gives a generic overview of the inspection and cleaning regimes,
solutions, methods and techniques which will preserve the aesthetic finish of the
product.
Inspection & Cleaning
To maximise life expectancy the product should be visually inspected, on a regular
basis, for any signs of damage, breakdown of surface finish, reduction in
performance, build-up of salt, dirt or atmospheric residue, and loose fixings.
During these inspections, should any concerns be noted, then the Customer’s
attention is brought to the following pages whereby suitable maintenance and repair
methods are described for the various materials used.
In the event of serious damage to any main, or structural, component then Broxap
should be contacted immediately for detailed technical advice.
In addition to the visual inspection, the sleeping area panels will benefit from a clean
down being completed.
The required frequency of visual inspection and cleaning will be governed by the
usage:
In a harsh kennel environment, the cleaning frequency should be weekly, and
the inspection frequency should be monthly.
In a lower usage, or domestic, environment, the cleaning frequency may be
pushed out to monthly, with a 3 monthly inspection.
The clean down should be undertaken with a mild detergent in warm water. The
cleaning should be undertaken on all galvanized surfaces using a soft cloth or
sponge, at no time should any kind of abrasive be used.
Note – the above recommendations are over and above the normal expected daily
cleaning routines that are required to maintain the kennel cleanliness and hygiene.
This regime is in accordance with the jnown practices employed by the individual
kennel owner/manager. Broxap draw the users attention to the fact that all
cleaners and disinfectants must be compatible with the materials used for the
kennel. Broxap cannot be held responsible for any discolouration or
galvanizing oxidisation as a result of the cleaners used.
All cleaning and maintenance should be recorded, detailing the method of cleaning,
what products have been used, and what repair work has been undertaken.
In the case of a warranty claim against Broxap, this information will be requested.

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 7 of 12
Galvanized Coating
The Galvanizing used on the product has been processed in accordance with the
requirements specified in BS EN ISO 1461:2009.
Galvanizing is a hot dip chemical reaction of molten zinc onto a steel substrate.
At the time of the process taking place the appearance will be one of shiny silver,
however, this will not last and over a period of several weeks this will dull off to a grey
colour. This is the natural finish of the Galvanized surface.
Note - due to the nature of the Galvanizing process some surface irregularities may
occur on the surface of finished products. Although these will be linished flat, where
possible, this will not be undertaken where it may breach the zinc coating. Some
visual irregularities may therefore be present on galvanized products – these do not
compromise the durability and performance of either the product or the coatings in
any way.
Scourers, wire brushes, and abrasive cleaners must not be used during cleaning as
they may compromise the protective surface and result in premature rusting.
After cleaning ensure the product is rinsed thoroughly.
Galvanizing has the ability to “self-heal” any minor knocks or scratches.
However, there will be occasions whereby the coating has been damaged to base
steel at a size that will not allow for self healing. Based on this there are several
proprietary repair paints on the market. In Broxap’s experience we have found 2 that
give a satisfactory repair and finish for ongoing use. The 2 methods are either
Galvafroid or Zinga with both being available in either a paste / brush application or
an aerosol spray.
Where the surface is scratched or damaged through to base steel, a check
should be made to establish if rusting has occurred.
Where rusting is present, then the area should be wire brushed / sanded to
bring back to a bright steel surface.
The system used for repair will state the required precautions that should be
taken along with the application method, however, a build up of coating should
be such that the thickness will be capable of giving ongoing protection as
required. The coating thickness on renovated areas should be at least 100
microns.
It is important that before any rework takes place, the dogs are removed from the
area. Once the rework has been competed, and the repair medium has fully dried,
they may be brought back.

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 8 of 12
Plastic Wall Panels
The white plastic panels will benefit from a periodic clean down.
The required frequency will be governed by the usage:
In a harsh kennel environment, the cleaning of the walls and floors should be
weekly, and the inspection frequency should be monthly.
In a lower usage, or domestic, environment, the cleaning frequency may be
pushed out to suit the individual unit.
Where a continual change of dogs takes place we recommend an increased
frequency of cleans.
External panels, or areas where the dogs have no access, should be cleaned every 3
months.
Prior to cleaning the wall panels, it is strongly recommended that the electricity
supply, where fitted, is fully isolated. This is to prevent electric shock from using
water when undertaking a full clean down. Cleaning should be undertaken with a
mild detergent in warm water and the use of a soft cloth or sponge. After cleaning,
the walls should be thoroughly dried. Under no circumstances should any hosepipes
be directed at the internal surfaces.
Where small stains or scratches have appeared on the surfaces, then a proprietary
car paint “T-Cut” product may be assist in lessening the appearance of the mark. The
surface should be fully wiped afterwards to remove any residue that could pose a risk
to the dogs.
On an annual basis the wall panels would benefit from a light application of a
proprietary car wax. This would improve the aesthetic appearance of the panels.
If a panel becomes cracked or excessively scratched then the panel will need to be
replaced. To ensure correct alignment, match and compatibility, this process can be
undertaken by Broxap. This would be chargeable.

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 9 of 12
Flooring
The flooring installed in the kennel sleeping area is phenolic coated. This gives the
wood a certain amount of resistance to moisture damage. The surface has a
hexagon-style raised pattern which acts as a non-slip surface for the dogs to walk on.
Due to its nature, the flooring should be swept daily to remove fur and other
contaminants. A light wash down should be undertaken weekly using a semi-dry
mop. Under no circumstances should the floor area be subject to water being
poured on it or scrubbed when wet.
Should the floor surface become damaged through the phenolic non clip coating, then
this can be repaired / replaced at a charge by contacting Broxap.
Windows
In the case of a fixed window, this can be cleaned by the use of any proprietary
window cleaning solution.
Where opening windows are used then:
Clean using a proprietary window cleaner
Ensure the slide tracks are kept free of dust, fur and other debris
Ensure the window closure catch is easily movable and can lock/release the
window
Where a proprietary window cleaning solution is used, then please ensure that any
overspray is wiped immediately from the white panels. Any solution that is not wiped
from the panels immediately may result in run marks being visible, that do not clean
off.
Also, care should be taken to ensure that any cleaning solution is fully removed /
dried before the re-introduction of dogs back into the area.

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 10 of 12
Doors
The doors have bolt type catches and are also secured to the main frame by the use
of hinges.
The bolt type catches should be checked for alignment and also damage that may
have occurred, as this could result in user injury.
With the door open, an inspection can take place of the hinges used. It is important
that at a 3 month minimum frequency:
The hinges are wiped clean of any dirt and residue that may foul smooth
movement.
A light spray of WD40 is used to maintain their mobility. The spray should be
directed at the hinge pin only and not anywhere else. Where there is
overspray then this should be wiped away immediately, and all excesses that
have dripped from the hinge pins should be wiped up and dried before the re-
introduction of dogs back into the area.
When the door is opened to the sleeping area, it is important to protect the hinges
and white wall panels by ensuring the door stay hook is fully engaged. To do this the
door should be opened carefully and held with one hand, with the other hand the door
stay hook should be fully engaged into the location eye provided. To close the door,
please reverse the process and ensure the hook is fully retracted and pivoted flat to
the panel. Following this process will ensure that any draughts or breezes cannot
catch the door and cause injury to the user, or result in the hardware on the door
damaging the white panel.
Where fitted, upon opening the door to the sleeping area, a security gate may be
present. This gate should be opened carefully so as to prevent damage to the inside
walls of the sleeping area. Any damage could result in sharp edges that would be
dangerous to the dogs.
In the event that the kennel system forms part of a block that has an external
entrance door fitted by Broxap installers, then the following applies:
The door will have been fitted with a restrictor. The purpose of this is to
prevent damage being caused by wind forcing the door open. The restrictor
must never be used as a way of keeping the door open.
The hinges and catches should be maintained as per the instructions and
identified points on the door itself.
The uPVC surface can be cleaned using a proprietary cleaner. The frequency
of this is to be based on the external environmental contaminants. ie.
Suggested frequency would be every 6 months.

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 11 of 12
Pulley System
So access to the “pop hatch” can be obtained, without access to the kennel or run
area, a pulley latch system is installed.
When operating the cable to open or close the hatch, the following must be adhered
to:
Ensure a smooth and consistent action so as to prevent cable jumping from
the pulley.
Ensure a suitable and stable grip is used on the cable handle.
Be careful to locate the handle correctly onto the hook provided before letting
go of the handle. A hook is provided for the handle storage when the pop
hatch is open or closed.
DO NOT under any circumstances release the handle or drop the drop-hatch
under its own weight. This could cause serious damage to the kennel or “pop
hatch”; and in extreme circumstances cause injury or death to a dog passing
through.
Under no circumstances should any grease be applied to the pulley cable.
Complete monthly checks on the pulley fixings, hook fixings and cable /
connections to ensure any weaknesses or looseness are addressed at
the earliest convenience.
Fixings
The white panelled sleeping area along with the galvanized run panels, are all fixed
together using a fastener or fixing of some type. On a 6 monthly basis it is
recommended that each of the fasteners is checked for tightness so as to retain the
intended stability and security of the kennel and run areas. The fixings have no
specified torque value, and should only be tightened to a point of internal clamping.
General Observations
The kennel system when installed, is suitable for the intended use of housing dogs.
A few user points need to be noted, with these being:
The top of the sleeping area white box is considered fragile.
Any electrics installed will be routed across the top of the sleeping area. Care
should be taken if storing on top.
The sleeping area has a low ceiling and when lights or heaters are fitted, the
user must be mindful of not hitting their head on them.

Issue 04 14/10/2014 Pg 12 of 12
Additional Information
Additional information on maintenance can be found on the Broxap website:
www.broxap.com/maintenance