Welding Fume Systems
Air quality in many manufacturing plants can be improved, especially in the area of welding. According to federal OSHA for fiscal year 2020, Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) ranks #3 of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following worksite inspections. While this standard doesn’t only apply to welding fumes, it is one of the more common contributors. Attracting new employees and retaining existing workers is a top priority in welding shops.
The metalworking process results in the production and use of hazardous chemicals and therefore requires careful handling. Hazardous air pollutants include:
- Chromium
- Hexavalent chromium
- Lead
- Manganese
- Nickel
- Zinc
Protect You and Your Environment While Controlling Your Budget
Whether you are a large manufacturer or a smaller fabrication shop, the future of smog-free air is here to stay. For more information or support for your industrial air filtration needs, contact Hasting's Air Energy Control!
Common Applications
There are several ways to combat Weld fume exposure.
Welding Hoods are one of the most effective static solutions for automated, and manual welding applications.
Portable Extraction Arms are a common solution. They do a wonderful job capturing the fume when properly positioned. If the fume source is stationary, much like with welding hoods, they are ideal. These engineered solutions are easy to apply and are very flexible.
Downdraft and/or Backdraft Systems are also common solutions for weld fume mitigation. They are a good weld fume capture solution for small to medium parts. They also work very well for other metalworking processes.
Welding and Grinding Booths are also a potential solution. They contain the work area and use “regain” air to establish flow across the booth, directing fume and dust to the extraction filters on the opposite side. They are extremely effective.
Ambient Air Filtration Systems are growing in popularity in many manufacturing plants. Rather than capture the fume at the source, they allow the fumes to rise and stratify well above the breathing zone. At that location, the ambient systems push/pull the air back and forth across the plant, filtering air in the process. Combined with a good source-capture fume extraction solution, Ambient Systems provide an added measure of security to ensure excellent air quality.
Hi-Vacuum Source Capture Systems such as FumeVac are staking their place as the go-to solutions for many fabricators. When able to capture the fume directly at the source (i.e. within inches of the arc), the benefits of doing so become compelling. Lower airflow rates, smaller filtration systems, simpler and lower cost ducting, cleaner operator breathing zones, and easy compliance with OSHA regulations are among a few of the key benefits of a properly designed high-vacuum system. FumeVac systems work for both robotic and manual MIG welding.
