Why Clean Air?

Fumes & Smoke in Metal Fabricating

Fumes and smoke are a given in any metal fabrication process, and without proper ventilation or filtration, you end up breathing them in. But why worry about it? Here are a few reasons.

  • Fumes and smoke from metal fabrication processes contain hazardous substances.
  • They may be generating at toxic levels, and can remove oxygen from the air, causing a breathing hazard.
  • Being exposed to fumes and smoke for extended periods of time can cause dizziness and sickness, and in rare cases unconsciousness and even death.
Make sure you are protecting yourself from these health risks. Proper filtration and improved air quality are important factors to consider in today’s metal fabrication industry. For more information about the health risks of your specific process, see the “Applications” page.

Air Quality

Apart from health concerns from smoke and fumes in the air, what is the advantage of improving air quality in your facility? Here are some things to consider.

  • Field studies have shown that employee productivity increases, and the number of sick or missed days are reduced when air quality in metal fabrication facilities is improved.
  • Proper filtration and ventilation has been proven to reduce heating and cooling costs in fabrication facilities. When dirty air from welding or cutting processes is exhausted outside, it takes the heated (or cooled) air with it, making it harder to keep a consistent temperature inside, and increasing the costs to heat or cool facilities. Filtration returns clean air into the facility, saving money.
  • Reduce your equipment downtime. Smoke and dust from metal fabrication processes get into nearby machinery and sensitive electronics and can cause problems.
  • OSHA and the EPA both have air quality standards to be met. Meeting or exceeding government air quality regulations will improve a company’s image with customers and employees, and is key to attracting skilled workers and new clients.
More than ever, workers are concerned about the environment they are working in. Improved air quality is good for facilities, people, equipment, and good for business overall.

Refer to Applications pages for information on your specific processes, or to Products pages for units that work to capture and filter out smoke and dust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do I need to know about a fume and smoke control system, and how can I make sure it will work?

Answer

Q. Can I just blow dirty air outside?

Answer

Q. How often would I have to change filters in a filtration system?

Answer

Q. What kind of ventilation system is best for my operation? I am hearing the terms “filtration”, “exhaust” and “source capture”, what do they mean?

Answer

Q. What is considered “good” air quality?

Answer