Air pollution has emerged into a global problem both indoors and outdoors. When it comes to a workshop, the situation is even worse. Be it the welding gases (carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and ozone), engine exhausts and fumes in a repair shop or the oily fog from cutting fluids in a mechanical workshop, all these contribute to creating an unhealthy workplace.
To avoid the prevalence of such dangerous gases, Fume Extraction Systems are very effective. Fume extraction system or a fume extractor is a system used to cleanse the air from harmful chemicals with a fan installed in it to pull fumes and particulate into a filtration system. A re-circulating air pattern for high ductless units is created by the combination of the powerful fan and high-quality filtration media. Besides being easy to change the filters, these units are also more energy efficient and occupy less space.
Types of Fume Extraction System
- Portable Fume Extraction Systems: These are compact and lightweight that has a small footprint design. They come in a variety of sizes and air volume configurations.
- Benchtop Fume Extraction Systems: They are in close proximity to the application of fume making process. Having small footprints, they fit in even small spaces on the worktable. They are available in different types of air volume capacity with or without wings.
- Shelf, Tabletop, Enclosure or Floor Mounted Fume Extraction Systems: Because, of the air being re-circulated into the room after filtration, these compact units do not need external ducting. They can also be mounted in machinery to acquire optimal filtration.
- Wall Mounted Fume Extraction Systems: All they need is an extended arm to capture the fumes. This armour hose is in a hanging or self-supporting position, to be able to move by the operator accordingly.
- Stand Mounted Fume Extraction Systems: These are suitable for elevated source capture in a case when wall mounting is not possible. They do not occupy any ground space and are perfect for oversized machinery or open concept workspaces.
Why are Fume Extraction Systems Important?
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has made the use of fume extractors compulsory in a workshop to meet the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs). So, it is very important to abide by the law to avoid any legal problems in the future.
Apart from this, fume extraction systems contribute to improving employees’ health and safety in the following ways:
- Fume extractors provide a healthy work environment by ensuring that all dangerous fumes are removed from the circulating indoor air.
- Fume extractors provide extra protection to the businesses that are exposed to hazardous chemical fumes daily. The workers at such places are very prone to fall sick. So, by installing a fume extraction system the heath of the employees can be secured which in turn increases productivity.
- A polluted workplace is a hub of diseases both physically and mentally. So, when fume extractors are installed to purify the air, the employees tend to feel healthy and more energetic. It motivates them to work with a fresh mind when they get fresh air to breathe.
- Fume extractors increase the life of your machines and other appliances that you use in your workplace. It is so because they help reduce not only the contamination of surfaces but also the machines you work on.
It is the duty of employers to safeguard the health and hygiene of their employees. For this, the most important factor to look after is the supply of fresh air to breathe. Fume Extraction Systems are quite beneficial in this regard to reduce the levels of dust, smoke, and other volatile chemical compounds, and promote a healthy and happy work environment.