Welding fume extraction systems: what's different from ventilation?

Welding fume extraction systems and the general ventilation systems are not alternative, but complementary equipment. The two perform different functions, one generic and the other more specific:

• a ventilation system meets a basic requirement of a building, that of air exchange, with all the consequent benefits;
• a localised fume extraction system, on the other hand, satisfies a particular need determined by the activities taking place in that building such as metal welding and tin-plating.

Therefore, there are also operating differences between the two.

Differences between extraction and ventilation

A generalised ventilation system moves the air masses in the building, with the aim of maintaining the best heat-humidity conditions. In hot environments, it introduces fresh air (properly filtered) from the outside and expels the stale air extracted from the rooms: by eliminating excess heat and humidity, the environment remains comfortable and also healthy, because the risk of condensation and mould is avoided.

Welding fume extraction systems, on the other hand, focus on operator safety: they are used to capture the toxic and carcinogenic pollutants emitted when welding metal before they come into contact with the operator and expel them from the environment. Unlike ventilation, extraction is localised, removing the fume from the source instead of diluting the concentration of fumes in the air.

When a fume extraction system is needed

While a ventilation system is always necessary, a fume extraction system is necessary (but also mandatory by law) in those industrial environments where polluting processes that emit fumes occur, such as welding.

Custom systems can be designed based on the layout of the work spaces, welding frequency and intensity, the type and size of the welded materials and the welding method used.

Welding fume extraction systems: the types

WORKY designs, manufactures and installs welding fume extraction systems for all industrial realities subject to regulation: manufacturing, mechanical workshops, carpentries, shipyards, electronic or chemical laboratories, etc.

Based on the type of objective needs, we choose whether to install permanent or mobile systems:

• Permanent systems consist of an extraction unit mounted on the wall and one or more self-supporting arms (static or sliding) which collect the fumes directly from the source; the installation is permanent and also involves the provision of pipes for the expulsion of pollutants outside the building.

Centralised permanent system with two self-supporting arms

• Mobile systems, that is, portable and wheeled, instead consist of an extractor mounted on wheels and complete with integrated filters, so that the extracted and filtered air can be immediately returned to the environment, without health risks. However, they are smaller (for obvious reasons) and are more suitable for those environments where welding is sporadic and/or carried out in the various workstations at different times.

Mobile system with two independent wheeled extractors

Do you want to learn more about all WORKY welding fume extraction systems? Call us: our sales department will be happy to help you.

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