In this in-depth guide, we will provide you with all the tools you need to choose the exhaust gas extraction system best suited to the specific requirements of your workshop.
Before exploring the specifications of the different solutions available, it is crucial to understand the importance of an efficient extraction system. Installing an exhaust gas extraction system is a fundamental choice to protect workers’ health and maintain operational productivity.
Exhaust gases contain a range of harmful compounds, including carbon monoxide (CO). Exposure can cause symptoms that are often mistaken for common ailments such as headaches, nausea or shortness of breath.
By acting directly at the emission source, extraction systems capture and convey these pollutants outside the workspace, significantly reducing the risk of contamination.
A well-designed and properly installed system offers multiple advantages that go far beyond simple regulatory compliance:
Health protection: safeguards technicians and operators from exposure to harmful substances
Regulatory compliance: ensures adherence to Italian regulations, including Legislative Decree 81/08 (Consolidated Act on Health and Safety at Work) and related standards
Improved efficiency: healthier environments enhance concentration and productivity; modern systems also simplify and speed up operations, allowing technicians to complete tasks without delays caused by difficult-to-use equipment
Space optimisation: well-integrated solutions reduce clutter and improve workshop organisation. An optimal layout supports daily operations instead of hindering them
Professional image: a workshop that invests in employee safety and well-being conveys professionalism and reliability to customers
Choosing the most suitable exhaust gas extraction system depends on several key factors, including:
the size of the workshop
the type of vehicles serviced
the number and layout of workstations
the presence of specific operations (power testing, DPF regeneration, etc.)
There are different types of systems available, each with its own specific features.
Fixed systems are an effective and compact solution, particularly suitable for small to medium-sized workshops with a limited number of aligned workstations.
They capture exhaust gases directly at the source via flexible hoses fitted with nozzles, then convey them outdoors through a rigid ducting system that terminates in a roof-mounted exhaust stack.
One of the key advantages is space optimisation. To minimise obstruction, flexible hoses can be supplied on hose reels or telescopic drops, allowing the hose to be retracted when not in use.
Sliding systems represent an extremely versatile solution and are particularly suitable for large workshops or facilities with multiple workstations aligned along the same axis.
The system consists of trolleys or hose reels that slide along dedicated suspended rails. This allows the sliding unit to reach several workstations along the same line, maximising efficiency while minimising the number of extraction points required per workstation.
Key advantages include:
Compatibility with any exhaust pipe: thanks to a wide range of nozzles and the TOUCHLESS arm, which does not come into contact with the exhaust pipe and therefore represents a universal solution that does not require specific adapters
Underfloor systems offer an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional solution, ideal for workshops that wish to minimise overhead installations and maintain an exceptionally clean and orderly environment.
The rigid ducts connecting to the extractor are installed beneath the floor rather than along walls or ceilings. The system emerges at floor level through dedicated pits, from which flexible hoses and nozzles are extracted and connected to vehicle exhausts. These are fully concealed extraction systems.
Key advantages include:
Mobile systems are the most flexible solution and do not require permanent installation. They are ideal for small workshops, occasional applications or specific needs in different areas where usage is less frequent and more localised.
These systems consist of mobile extractors mounted on wheels, making them easy to move between work areas. The units are equipped with flexible hoses designed to evacuate exhaust gases outside the workspace.
Key advantages include:
Summary table of system types and applications
| System type | Application |
| Fixed system | Ideal for exhausting gases in small and medium-sized workshops with articulated or scattered work areas |
| Sliding system | Ideal for exhausting gases in large workshops with predominantly aligned workstations |
| Underfloor system | Ideal for workshops that want to keep overhead spaces clear or have specific aesthetic requirements |
| Mobile system | Ideal for small workshops with less frequent and more isolated applications |
Cost considerations for exhaust gas extraction systems
When defining the costs of installing an exhaust gas extraction system, several variables come into play.
The main factors influencing the budget include:
Each installation must be assessed individually. In many cases, a detailed study and on-site inspection are necessary to determine the most effective solution. Relying on a qualified supplier is essential, often involving collaboration with engineers and architects to verify structural feasibility.
Solutions can generally be grouped into three macro-categories based on cost and complexity:
| System type | Price range | Key characteristics |
| Simple systems (stand-alone / mobile) | Low | Portable extractors, easy to move, no roof stack required. Suitable models available for all vehicles currently on the market |
| Medium systems (fixed) | Medium | Permanent installation. Nozzles connected to exhausts, gases conveyed through galvanised ducts to a roof stack. Ideal for medium-sized workshops with a limited number of concentrated workstations. Underfloor systems also fall into this category |
| High-end systems (sliding and underfloor) | High | Sliding rails allow access to all workstations while remaining suspended. Maximum flexibility and ease of use |
Selecting the optimal exhaust gas extraction system is not just a matter of budget, but of integrating business needs, workshop structural characteristics and regulatory compliance.
The key recommendation is to rely on experienced, qualified industry professionals. A competent supplier will not simply sell a product, but will provide tailored consultancy based on:
WORKY provides state-of-the-art systems that significantly improve work quality and workshop productivity. A complete service also includes qualified after-sales support, with experienced installation technicians involved not only during installation but also in the preparatory phases. Thanks to a dense network of local distributors, assistance is guaranteed for every need.
Investing in an appropriate exhaust gas extraction system is a fundamental step in protecting employee health, ensuring legal compliance and increasing workshop efficiency.
Yes. In all premises where an internal combustion engine is running and exhaust gases are produced, it is mandatory to install effective extraction systems to protect worker health and comply with current workplace safety and hygiene regulations.
A fixed system has a static extraction point. A sliding system, on the other hand, allows the extraction hose to move along the work areas via overhead rails. This provides greater operational modularity, space optimisation, efficiency and faster connection for the operator, making it ideal for multi-bay workshops.
Mobile systems, as they are not permanent installations with fixed exhaust stacks, often simplify the bureaucratic requirements related to atmospheric emission declarations compared to fixed or centralised systems. However, it is always essential to check local or regional environmental and safety regulations, as requirements may vary.