FAQ

What About Zoning?
What Do I Need To Know About Environmental Permitting?
What About Licensing & Inspection?
Do You Have A PLC Control System?
Do You Have A Color Touch Screen Control?
Is the Design and Appearance of Your Machines OK For Family Viewing?
Do You Have Start Up & Training?
What Do You Provide For Warranty & Service?
Is Your Operating System Automatic?
Do We Have To Worry About Any Visible Emissions?

What About Zoning?

It is extremely important to determine if the property to be used for a crematory is zoned properly. Although most communities allow crematories in business, commercial and industrial zones, the Zoning and/or Planning Department in the township, city or county where the property is located should be contacted for a ruling. There may be local regulations governing crematories, but in many communities this type of activity may not have been addressed. We will assist you in obtaining zoning approval.

What Do I Need To Know About Environmental Permitting?

In most states, new crematories must be approved by the Air Quality Division of the Department of Environment or similar agency. An application to construct, install and operate must be filed with this Division and a permit granted before a unit can be installed and placed in operation. We prepare the application and documents for submission. Our equipment complies with air quality and environmental requirements and regulations in all 50 states.

What About Licensing & Inspection?

In some states, crematories must be licensed by the Board of Funeral or Cemetery Service or other state agency. The Board may inspect the premises, structure and cremation equipment to confirm that the crematory manager and crematory technicians have educational certificates that are valid. This same Board may require an annual renewable license for the crematory. U.S. Cremation Equipment has certified trainers that will train crematory personnel in the operation of the cremator and issue Certificates of Training.

Do You Have A PLC Control System?

Yes. Our proven and field-tested PLC Operating System monitors and controls chamber temperatures, combustion air supply and timing cycles for purging, preheating the pollution control chamber, cremation and cool-down cycles. The system is fully automatic, requiring the operator to simply select the time for the cremation cycle and press the Start button to begin the cycle. Once activated, each stage of the process from Preheat to Cremation to Cool Down to Shut Down automatically advances to the next stage.

While the PLC is programmed at the factory, the standard program does allow for changes to be made in temperature set points, timing of cycles and combustion air adjustments, if necessary. The automatic system limits operator involvement while enabling the operator to visually check each stage and status of the process along with chamber temperatures, combustion air, elapsed time and burner operation through the touch screen control panel.

Do You Have A Color Touch Screen Control?

Yes. Standard to all our cremator models is a color touch screen that displays the status of the process through various screens available to the operator. Door, Start and Stop Controls are on the main screen. Other screens display burner operation, chamber temperature, temperature set points, elapsed time as well as other functions. The touch screen is mounted on a swivel at eye level and can be positioned from zero to 180 degrees for easy viewing. Through the various screens the operator can monitor many more functions as well as exercise more control over the process.

Is the Design and Appearance of Your Machines OK For Family Viewing?

Yes.  As viewing of the body being placed in the cremator has become more popular and families are requesting to see the equipment and premises prior to cremation, the overall appearance of the facility and the equipment is important. Our “Classic” models have been designed to resemble a modern appliance. The exterior wall and front panels have a powder coat finish and are trimmed in stainless steel. The Power Door and Ash Compartment Drawer are clad in stainless steel. All major components are housed in the rear compartment away from view.

Do You Have Start Up & Training?

Upon notification from the customer that the installation is complete, a technician will travel to the facility to place the unit in operation. The technician will spend up to three days at the site curing the refractory lining of the cremator, starting up the unit, adjusting air and gas settings and proving all systems. To complete the start-up the technician will perform a cremation and train crematory personnel in the simple operation. It is important that a cremation be available for training at start up.

What Do You Provide For Warranty & Service?

We warrant our equipment to be free of defects in workmanship for two years and our staff is available around the clock to provide technical assistance and operating support. The Operating & Maintenance Manual describes the function of all components and is invaluable for troubleshooting. We stock a complete line of replacement parts and major components and our Service Department is available for service and repairs on all makes of cremation equipment.

Is Your Operating System Automatic?

Standard to the “Classic” line of cremators is a proven and tested automatic operating system with color touch screen control. Load the body and container in the primary chamber, set the timer and press the Start button to begin the cycle. The system is programmed to begin a 45-second purge cycle before igniting the secondary chamber burner to start the preheat cycle. Once the proper temperature is reached in the pollution control chamber, the primary burner is ignited to begin the cremation cycle. Upon completion of the cremation the system advances to the cool down cycle at which time the burners shut down and clean out of the cremated remains can be made.

Do We Have To Worry About Any Visible Emissions?

Complete combustion is achieved in the “Classic” line’s temperature-controlled large secondary chamber. Greater than 99% of volatilized carbon created in the combustion process is converted to carbon dioxide. In addition, an Opacity Sensor is located at the base of the stack to monitor the clarity of the exhaust gases. Once the exhaust gases reach 20% opacity, the PLC automatically shuts down the primary burner and adjusts combustion air supply to slow the combustion rate and prevent visible emissions from exiting the stack.