How to Store an RECD Before It Is Installed

The RECD has arrived. The delivery note is signed, the crate looks fine, and then the project slips. The DG room slab is still curing, the exhaust contractor is on another job, or the hospital will only allow a shutdown after the festive season. Suddenly you need to store an RECD before installation for six weeks, three months or longer, and nobody wrote down how.

This gap is where avoidable damage happens, and it rarely looks dramatic. A filter or catalyst element soaks up monsoon humidity through an uncapped inlet. Insulation blankets stay damp under a tarpaulin and start smelling. Flange faces develop a film of rust. A sensor lead gets pinched under a pallet jack. The small carton of gaskets and fasteners goes missing from the site store. A controller with an internal battery sits flat for months. Someone opened the packaging “just to look” and never resealed it.

Preventing it needs no expensive equipment, just a clear idea of what you are storing, which scenario you are in, and a short monthly routine. This guide picks up where the RECD delivery inspection checklist ends and stops where installation begins. If you are still deciding whether to place the order ahead of a new building being ready, the question of ordering an RECD before your facility is ready is covered separately.

Store an RECD before installation: what exactly are you storing?

An RECD consignment is a family of parts with very different tolerances for heat, moisture, dust and handling. Treating it as “one big steel box” is how small items get damaged while the main body stays fine.

Designs in India vary: wall-flow or flow-through filters, catalyst coatings, electrostatic or wet scrubber types, with or without a controller and differential pressure (ΔP) or temperature sensors. Read the table as a menu and keep the rows that apply to your consignment.

Component family	Main risk in storage	Storage requirement
Main body / housing with filter or catalyst element	Moisture entering through open inlet/outlet, dust ingress, impact damage to the element, corrosion of flange faces	Inlet and outlet capped, kept upright as marked, on pallets off the floor, under a roof, away from standing water
Insulation, cladding and heat shields	Absorbing water, crushing, loss of shape, mould or odour	Dry, flat or as packed, nothing stacked on top, not in direct contact with floor or walls
Sensors and sensor cables	Bent probes, crushed or kinked leads, connector corrosion, loss	Kept in original packing, connectors capped, stored indoors in a labelled box, not hung or coiled tightly
Controller and electrical items	Condensation inside enclosure, heat, dust, battery discharge where fitted	Indoors, cool and dry, enclosure closed, not stored next to hot or wet areas, battery advice from supplier
Gaskets, fasteners, bellows, clamps, loose parts	Loss, mixing with other site stock, gasket ageing from heat and sunlight, bellows damage	Sealed and labelled carton, locked store, shaded, bellows protected from dents and kinks
Documents (manuals, certificates, drawings, test reports)	Loss, water damage, being separated from the equipment	Originals in the site or head office file, copies scanned, a copy in a sealed pouch with the crate

Scenario 1: an indoor warehouse or store room (the best option)

If you have access to a dry, lockable, roofed store with a concrete floor, use it. This is the closest you will get to the conditions the supplier assumed when packing the unit, and it makes every other control easier.

Do

• Place the crate or skid on pallets or timber dunnage so it sits at least 100–150 mm above the floor. Floors sweat and get washed; pallets keep the base out of that.
• Keep the unit away from external walls, roller shutters and roof drains, where rain blows in or condensation runs down.
• Store sensors, controller and loose parts on a shelf in the same room, in labelled boxes, not inside the main crate unless they were packed there.

Don’t

• Don’t share the space with battery charging, paint, solvents, acids or fertiliser. Fumes and spills attack metal, seals and electronics.
• Don’t let a forklift operator “make room” by pushing the crate along the floor.

When it is acceptable

Almost always. Even so, keep the caps on and the monthly check going: an unventilated warehouse can trap monsoon humidity for weeks.

Scenario 2: inside the DG room or plant room before installation

Moving the RECD straight into the DG room is tempting. Sometimes it is sensible; often the DG room is the most hostile place on site during construction.

Do

• Check that civil work in the room is finished, or at least that grinding, cutting, plastering and painting are complete. Concrete dust and paint overspray are hard to remove from flanges and sensor ports.
• If the DG set is running for temporary power, keep the RECD well away from its exhaust outlet, radiator discharge air and any oil drip zone.
• Mark the stored unit with a “Do not use as a work table or step” tag. Plant rooms invite this.

Don’t

• Don’t store it in a basement DG room that floods or collects seepage water. Read up on RECD installation in a flood-prone plant room before assuming the room is dry year-round.
• Don’t place it beneath an open shaft, louvre or cut-out where rain will drip in.
• Don’t let welders work near it without a fire blanket and screening.

When it is acceptable

When the room is closed, dry, clean and secure, and installation is a few weeks away. If heavy construction work continues in the room, use a store instead.

Scenario 3: an open yard or construction site under cover

This is where most projects end up, and where most trouble starts. Treat it as a temporary arrangement with clear conditions, not the default plan.

Do

• Choose a raised, level, well-drained spot away from excavation, crane swing zones, vehicle routes and material laydown areas.
• Put the unit on pallets or dunnage, then on a firm base such as paver blocks or a compacted platform, so it does not sink when the ground softens.
• Build a roof over it rather than relying on a tarpaulin wrapped tightly around it. A simple frame with a sloped sheet roof, open or meshed at the sides for airflow, keeps rain off without trapping heat and moisture.
• If tarpaulin is all you have, tent it over a frame so it does not touch the crate, tie it down against wind, and leave the bottom edge open for ventilation.
• Keep sensors, controller, documents and loose parts out of the yard entirely. Store them indoors in the site office or store.

Don’t

• Don’t wrap the crate tightly in plastic sheet. In Indian summer, a tight black or blue tarpaulin in direct sun turns into an oven by day and a condensation chamber at night.
• Don’t leave it unsupervised in an unfenced area. Copper, cables and stainless parts attract theft.

Indian climate realities

• Monsoon humidity: Relative humidity stays high for weeks. Any opening that lets humid air in will eventually leave moisture inside. Keep caps on, check desiccant more often and look for rust bloom on bare steel. Our post on protecting an RECD from rainwater and condensation explains moisture behaviour in service; in storage there is no exhaust heat to dry things out.
• Coastal salt: Within a few kilometres of the sea, salt-laden air corrodes flange faces, fasteners and connector pins quickly. Indoor storage matters more here, and supplier-approved VCI wrapping is worth considering.
• Delhi NCR winter: Cold nights and mild days drive condensation on metal under covers. Ventilation helps more than extra layers of plastic.
• Summer heat: Direct sun on dark covers can push internal temperatures well above ambient. Gaskets, adhesive tapes, cable insulation and electronics age faster. Shade and airflow are the answer.
• Dust: Dry-season and construction dust gets into any unsealed opening or connector, and you will be cleaning it out at commissioning.

When it is acceptable

As a short-term measure, with a proper roof, ventilation, drainage, security and a weekly walk-past in addition to the monthly check. If the delay stretches beyond a couple of months, move the unit indoors or treat it as long-term storage.

Scenario 4: long-term storage over about six months

Past roughly six months, the risks change. Desiccant saturates, coatings wear thin, rubber parts age, and people forget the unit exists.

Do

• If you must store an RECD before installation for this long, ask the supplier for written instructions before the six-month mark.
• Store indoors. Long-term storage in an open yard, even under a roof, is hard to justify.
• Replace desiccant on a schedule and record each replacement.
• Re-inspect flange faces and bare steel every month; re-apply supplier-approved protective coating if needed.
• If the controller has an internal battery or memory backup, ask the supplier whether it needs periodic charging or whether the battery should be disconnected during storage.
• Note the shelf life of any consumables, such as gaskets, sealants or adhesives, and ask whether they should be replaced before installation.

Don’t

• Don’t assume the unit is “fine because it’s still boxed”. Closed packaging can hide condensation.
• Keep the storage log with the asset record, not on one person’s phone.

When it is acceptable

When there is a genuine project reason and the controls are in place. Plan a fuller pre-installation check and consider a supplier inspection. If the DG set itself has also been idle all that time, you will want the guide on restarting an RECD-equipped DG set after months of inactivity once the system is installed.

Handling within storage

Most storage damage happens when the unit is moved, not while it sits still. Treat every move as a lift operation.

• Lifting points: Use only the lifting lugs, eyes or skid points the supplier marked. Never lift by flanges, inlet/outlet stubs, sensor bosses, cladding or cable glands.
• Forklift tines: Check that the tines are long enough to support the full skid, and spread them as wide as the skid allows. Short tines under a long crate tip the load.
• Stacking: Never stack anything on an RECD crate unless the supplier states, in writing, that the packing is designed for it. A crate that looks strong may protect a ceramic element only from the sides.
• Orientation arrows: Respect “This way up” and centre-of-gravity markings. Some elements and internal supports are designed to carry load in one direction only.
• Pallets and dunnage: Keep the unit off the floor at all times. When moving it, place it back on dry dunnage, not straight onto concrete or soil.
• People: Use a competent rigger, keep people clear of suspended loads and use taglines on larger units.

If the unit must move between sites or be re-shipped, follow the practices in our guide on packaging and transporting an RECD without damaging its internals, because storage packing and transport packing are not always the same thing.

Keep the seals: caps, ports, desiccant and VCI

The most effective storage control is simple: keep everything closed.

• Blanking caps on inlet and outlet: These keep moisture, dust, insects and birds out. Check they are secure and not cracked, and tape the edges if the supplier recommends it.
• Sealed sensor ports: If sensors are shipped separately, the bosses should have plugs or caps. An open sensor port is a direct path into the element.
• Connector caps: Sensor and controller connectors should be capped or bagged. Corroded pins cause intermittent faults that are hard to trace later.
• Desiccant: Where the supplier has packed desiccant, note how many sachets, where they are, and how to tell when they are saturated. Ask what to replace them with.
• VCI (vapour corrosion inhibitor): Where suitable and approved by the supplier, VCI film or emitters help protect bare steel in humid or coastal conditions. Do not introduce chemicals into or around a catalyst-coated or filter element without the supplier’s approval.

Controller and sensor enclosures are often specified with an ingress protection rating (see the IEC explanation of IP ratings). That rating describes the closed, installed enclosure; a controller with its cover open or glands unplugged has no meaningful protection.

What to do if the packaging was opened for inspection

Packaging often gets opened for delivery inspection, an insurance survey or a curious visitor. That is fine if it is resealed properly.

1. Record who opened it, when, and why, in the storage log.
2. Photograph what you see before touching anything: caps, ports, desiccant, condition of surfaces.
3. Check that blanking caps and port plugs are still in place and undamaged.
4. Replace or refresh desiccant if the original sachets were exposed to humid air for any length of time.
5. Reclose the inner wrapping and crate using the original fasteners, or equivalent that do not damage the packing.
6. Re-apply any seals or labels, and mark the crate “Opened and resealed on [date] by [name]”.
7. Inform the supplier if anything looked wrong, and keep the photographs.

Use a consistent date format such as YYYY-MM-DD in labels and logs, as recommended in ISO 8601. It removes confusion between Indian and international date styles when the supplier and site team compare notes.

Inventory and identification

A stored RECD with no label is an asset waiting to be lost, especially on sites with several DG sets and changing store keepers.

• Tag with the project and DG set ID: Mark the crate and each loose-parts box with the project name, building, DG set ID and rating. On a site with three generators, a tag that just says “RECD” is not enough.
• Photograph serial plates: Take clear photographs of the RECD nameplate, any serial or batch numbers on the element, sensors and controller. Store them in the project folder.
• Reconcile the loose-parts list: Compare what was received against the packing list and the RECD spare parts list agreed in the order. Count gaskets, fasteners, clamps, bellows and sensors. Note shortages in writing straight away.
• Keep documents separate: Manuals, type-approval certificates, test reports and drawings belong in the office file, not in a soggy envelope on the crate.
• One owner: Name one responsible person, with a deputy.

Monthly storage inspection card

A consistent monthly check catches most problems early. Print this card and keep it in the store office.

Item	Check	OK / Action
Location	Unit still in agreed location, area clean, no new hazards nearby
Roof / cover	No leaks, cover not touching crate, ventilation clear, tie-downs secure
Base	Pallets dry and sound, no ponding water, no sinking or tilt
Crate / wrapping	Intact, no tears, no signs of opening, labels readable
Inlet / outlet caps	In place, undamaged, edges sealed
Sensor ports and connectors	Plugs and caps in place, no corrosion visible
Flange faces / bare steel	No rust bloom, coating intact
Desiccant	Condition indicator checked, replaced if saturated
Insulation / cladding	Dry, no crushing, no odour or staining
Sensors, controller	Stored indoors, boxes dry and labelled, controller enclosure closed
Loose parts	Carton sealed, contents match list
Documents	Originals in office file, copies available
Security	Area locked or fenced, no evidence of tampering

Illustrative storage log entry

One short entry per check, plus photographs, is enough. For example (illustrative):

• Date: 2026-08-14
• Checked by: Site store in-charge, with maintenance supervisor
• Location: Covered yard bay 3, near site office
• Findings: Cover sagging after heavy rain, small pool of water on north side of pallets. Inlet and outlet caps secure. Desiccant indicator showing partial saturation. Light surface rust on two exposed flange bolts.
• Actions: Re-tensioned cover and added a support pole; cleared drain channel. Replaced desiccant (4 sachets). Wiped and coated bolts with supplier-approved protective spray. Photos saved in project folder.
• Next check due: 2026-09-14, or after next heavy rain

Warranty and responsibility during storage

Storage sits in an awkward contractual zone: delivered, not installed, owned but not “in use”. Clear up responsibility early.

• When does risk transfer? Check your purchase order and the delivery terms. In many contracts, risk passes to the buyer at delivery or acceptance, even if installation is in the supplier’s scope later. If your order is turnkey, the split may be different. The post on customer and installer responsibilities in an RECD project helps you map who does what.
• Ask for written storage instructions: Ask the supplier to state the storage conditions they expect, how long the unit can be stored, and what periodic checks they want. Get it in writing, and file it with the purchase order.
• Storage conditions may affect warranty claims: Some warranties start from delivery, others from commissioning, and some exclude damage caused by improper storage. Do not assume; check your own terms. Our guide to RECD warranty terms, parts, labour and exclusions shows what to look for.
• Keep evidence: If something does go wrong, your storage log, photographs and the supplier’s instructions are your strongest evidence. The companion post on what to record when raising an RECD warranty claim explains how to present it.
• Insurance: Ask whether your project or contractor’s all-risk policy covers stored equipment on site.

Pre-installation de-storage check

Before the RECD goes onto the exhaust, confirm that storage did no harm.

1. Review the storage log: Note any incidents, openings, water events or repairs. Share the log with the installer.
2. External condition: Inspect the crate and the unit for impact marks, dents, corrosion or distortion. Pay attention to flange faces and mounting points.
3. Remove caps only at the point of fitting: Keep inlet and outlet caps on until the unit is in position and the exhaust connection is ready.
4. Look inside the inlet and outlet: With a torch, look for moisture, dust, debris, insects or nests. Report anything unusual to the supplier before proceeding.
5. Insulation and cladding: Confirm they are dry and undamaged. Wet insulation should not be installed; ask the supplier how to dry or replace it. The insulation and heat shield site plan explains why it matters in service.
6. Sensors and cables: Check probes are straight, leads unkinked and connectors clean. Compare part numbers against the order.
7. Controller: Inspect the enclosure for condensation marks or dust. Follow the supplier’s instructions for any battery or first power-up.
8. Loose parts: Reconcile against the packing list once more. Replace any gasket that has aged, hardened or been damaged.
9. Safety: Before connecting to the exhaust, confirm that the DG set is isolated and locked out. The OSHA overview of controlling hazardous energy is a useful primer on lockout/tagout principles. If the DG has run recently, allow the exhaust to cool.

Once everything checks out, follow the normal step-by-step RECD installation process. DieselNet’s overview of diesel particulate filters is useful background on how filter elements work.

One compliance note: do not run the generator with the RECD sitting in the yard where your consent conditions or local directions require it to be fitted. In Delhi NCR, CAQM directions on DG set use apply, and SPCB consents set conditions elsewhere. Confirm the position with your SPCB.

Illustrative example: a 500 kVA RECD stored for five months on a construction site

A commercial building project in Gurugram receives an RECD for its 500 kVA DG set in May. The DG room is not ready until October, so the unit spends five months, including the full monsoon, on site.

The team uses a covered yard bay, keeps electronics and loose parts in the store, and runs monthly checks. Storage costs (all figures illustrative):

Item	Calculation	Cost
Pallets and timber dunnage	1 lot	₹3,000
Frame and sloped sheet roof with side mesh	1 lot	₹12,000
Desiccant replacement	5 months × ₹1,500	₹7,500
VCI film for bare steel (supplier-approved)	1 lot	₹4,000
Monthly checks	5 checks × 2 hours × ₹500 per hour	₹5,000
Total	₹3,000 + ₹12,000 + ₹7,500 + ₹4,000 + ₹5,000	₹31,500

Now suppose the unit had sat under a tight tarpaulin with an uncapped inlet, leaving the element suspect and the insulation wet (illustrative figures):

Item	Cost
Replacement filter or catalyst element	₹2,50,000
Replacement insulation set	₹35,000
Replacement sensor (one damaged lead)	₹15,000
Supplier visit, re-inspection and freight	₹25,000
Total	₹3,25,000

Arithmetic: ₹2,50,000 + ₹35,000 + ₹15,000 + ₹25,000 = ₹3,25,000.

Properly storing an RECD before installation cost ₹31,500 here, which is under 10% of the ₹3,25,000 damage scenario (₹31,500 ÷ ₹3,25,000 ≈ 0.097, or about 9.7%). That ignores weeks of delay for a replacement and a possible warranty dispute. Use your own quotes; the point is the ratio. For a broader view of RECD pricing, see our guide on RECD cost in India.

FAQ

How long can I store an RECD before installation?

It depends on the design and supplier instructions. A few weeks in a dry indoor store is usually straightforward; beyond about six months, get written long-term storage guidance from the supplier.

Can I store an RECD outdoors under a tarpaulin?

Only short term, and never wrapped tightly. Use a ventilated roof over a raised, drained base, keep the caps on and move electronics indoors.

Should I remove the blanking caps to let the RECD “breathe”?

No. The caps keep moisture, dust and insects out. Remove them only at the point of fitting unless your supplier says otherwise.

What if the RECD packaging was opened during delivery inspection?

Photograph the condition, check caps and port plugs, refresh desiccant if it was exposed, reseal the packaging and record the details in a storage log. Tell the supplier if anything looked wrong.

Does poor storage affect the RECD warranty?

It can. Some warranties exclude damage caused by improper storage, and start dates vary. Check your own warranty terms and keep a storage log with photographs as evidence.

Should sensors and the controller be stored with the main RECD body?

Usually not, unless packed inside the crate. Keep them indoors in labelled boxes with connectors capped and enclosures closed.

Planning a Delayed Installation? Talk to Aceget

If your RECD will sit on site before the DG room is ready, agree storage conditions before dispatch. Aceget supplies CPCB type-approved retrofit emission control devices for DG sets from 25 kVA to 2500 kVA and can advise on storage, timing and installation planning for your project. You can review our type approvals and certifications, or contact our team to discuss your schedule and site conditions.

Related Reading

• RECD Delivery Inspection Checklist
• Can You Order an RECD Before Your New Facility Is Ready?
• How to Package and Transport an RECD Without Damaging Its Internals
• Restarting an RECD-Equipped DG Set After Months of Inactivity
• What Should You Record When Raising an RECD Warranty Claim?
• Can a Refurbished RECD Filter Core Be Reused?