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Reducing airbourne dust and improving extraction

thread1043-489077

Reducing airbourne dust and improving extraction

Reducing airbourne dust and improving extraction

(OP)
Hello folks,

LEV seems to be the big thing in my work just now due to the large amount of heavy fabrication and welding processess.

Anyway, we have a very large shed where units are made and the building currently has extraction units for use at the job but also on the building it has several large fans which I believe blow air out of the building to outside. This isnt for extraction but I th8nk just to help air flow.

My question is would installing fans that blow air into the building improve extraction by adding a slight increase in the buildings air pressure? And would increasing air flow in and static pressure aid extraction in anyway?

Another reason for asking is I would like to suggest a way to keep dust down and feom reaching the cranes in the area. Would fans blowing air in and hopefully downwards assist in keeping dust at the lower level rather than fans creating an aircurrent potentially drawing air higher into the building?

Or are axial fans not powerful enougj ti really affect it either way?

RE: Reducing airbourne dust and improving extraction

I note you are in UK (like me). There are strict mandatory requirements for dust/fume extraction. I would suggest you first familiarise yourself with what is required as a minimum according to the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and also COSHH. This is law by the way and must be followed. You'll probably find that it's mandated to have local dust/fume extraction at the point of cutting/welding operation. I suggest you read what the HSE prescribes in their web pages - there are a few useful booklets there too. Good Luck. Web Site https://www.hse.gov.uk/lev/

RE: Reducing airbourne dust and improving extraction

And then HVAC engineers created filters...

* Finding a solution is great * Knowing how to implement it is fantastic * Believing it is the only one and best is naive ?

RE: Reducing airbourne dust and improving extraction

Even when not legally required, local fume capture always helps control dust better than building exhaust ventilation. You do need both. Building supply air is a bit tricky, the important thing is to introduce air so it does not create drafts, as these can cause dust to recirculate. Building supply might or might not require supply fans.

It is likely that even with local exhaust your welders will have enough dust exposure that personnel respirators are needed to meet permissible exposure levels.

HSE has issued new guidance, I am in the US so you need to be the expert, this link may be useful: https://www.hvds.co.uk/welding-fume-guidance/

RE: Reducing airbourne dust and improving extraction

Is the purpose of your ventilation system to provide cooling air into the work area or is it to reduce the contamination level from particulate generated from grinding and welding operations? If it is the latter and you do not know the exposure level during work hours then have your air handling system and the air quality in your shop evaluated by a certified industrial hygiene engineer or by a safety engineer before embarking into new air handling equipment.

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