Welding is an industrial process that releases a large amount of toxic fumes, which are likely to cause serious harm to people's health.
Welding activities at the industrial level can have serious health consequences due to the emission of fumes and toxic gases into the work environment. For this reason, it is essential to implement a suitable welding fume extractor in the company.
In this article, we propose solutions that we believe best meet this need.
Why a welding fume extractor is critical
Welding fumes have a complex mixture of different heavy metals within them, including hexavalent chromium, manganese, nickel, lead and cadmium.
If inhaled, particles from these substances can enter the bronchi and lungs, with very dangerous consequences for the health of operators.
In many engineering, maintenance and similar industries, continuous welding operations often and produce high volumes of toxic fumes.
For this reason, there are specific regulations in all countries that oblige companies to adopt preventive measures and protections for workers.
Ventilation systems, while important for removing excess heat and moisture, are not enough to ensure a healthy working environment. In fact, these systems do not remove toxic fumes, but they do serve to meet a basic requirement of a building, that of air exchange, with all the benefits that come with it.
Unlike ventilation, welding fume extraction must act in a localized manner, vacuuming fumes and dust at the source of emission.
A welding fume extractor is therefore necessary, as well as mandatory, in those realities where welding operations of any kind take place. These instruments work according to a very simple principle: air saturated with fumes and dust is sucked in, and expelled to the outside or, if possible, filtered and equally expelled or, if the regulations allow it, returned to the environment
The most effective systems are those that allow fumes to be drawn in directly at the source, as soon as they are released, thus preventing them from escaping.
One welding fume extractor is not worth the other: the differences
There are two types of welding fume extraction systems:
- fixed-wall systems, with articulated arms of various lengths
- mobile units
When it comes to high welding fume volumes, a fixed system may be the best solution.
This is a fume extraction system consisting of arms specifically designed to collect welding fumes that are actually extracted by the fan, either in centralized systems or in systems with an aspirator directly attached to the arm.
Fume extraction arms collect toxic pollutants on-site, preventing them from spreading and being inhaled by tenants and operators.
There are different types of suction arms for a wide range of industrial applications, providing strength, durability and high performance even for high volumes of smoke production.
The arm can be
- wall mounted
- overhead
- sliding on overhead track
WORKY's SB series of arms are designed to simplify and optimize the extraction of welding fumes; they can be installed on walls, ceilings or on flag extensions to reach large distances, and they are also equipped with a shutter for partial
Suction benches are also part of the fixed solutions for fume extraction: In this case:
- fumes are drawn in from the countertop or side walls
- particles are collected in a special removable drawer
- the remaining smoke is sucked up by a vacuum system to which you can add a filter
By doing so, hazardous substances are removed at the same time they are produced so that they are not breathed in by the operator.
This solution is advantageous not only because of its effectiveness, but also because it allows for space optimization, as it can also be used as a regular workbench and adapted as needed.
SAB series suction benches are composed of an extremely durable surface (available in various sizes); depending on requirements, the suction bench can be supplied in a simple version, i.e., without an aspirator for centralized systems, with a directly coupled aspirator, and with vertical walls.
Mobile filtration units are recommended when the welding area is not defined and welding activities are sporadic
Mobile units consist of an extractor fan and complete with a battery of filters so that the extracted and filtered air can be immediately returned to the environment when regulations allow it
Depending on the configuration of workspaces, the frequency and intensity of welds, the type and size of materials being welded, and the welding methodology used, customized systems must be designed.
One of WORKY's strengths is precisely its ability to develop customized projects for the industrial sector that meet and satisfy even the most challenging demands, designing ad hoc solutions for each specific case.
If you are looking for a welding fume extractor for your company, book a free, personalized consultation with our technicians!
