Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Points To Note When Choosing Extraction Systems

By Marcy Becker


Extraction systems play a very important role in an industrial environment. They not only ensure that employees work in an environment with favorable conditions but they can also help reduce overheads for the company. The best example is the possibility of negotiating better rates from the liability and health insurance provider. Compliance with regulations is also possible with one of these systems in place. The only problem is that you cannot just buy any system you find in the market. To achieve your goals of installing fume extraction systems, you must consider a number of issues.

The main consideration is the type of extractor to buy. There are three major categories to choose from which are the engineered, source capture devices and the personal air-powered respirators. You can also use a combination of systems to get the best results. Among the three categories, the engineered units are the most expensive.

The engineered systems require a bit of construction as the name suggests. You will need to install fans and ducts in your premises which will be used to remove fumes. The systems are very effective in clearing the air in a room but they are not so effective in protecting the person working at the fume source. The best option for this is a source capture system. Combining the two options will also bring more effectiveness.

When protection only the person working at the fume source, a personal air-powered respirator will be the best. This one is incorporated into the technician's headgear. Although it offers great protection to the technician, the rest of the room is not protected. It might therefore be useful only in especially conditions especially where the technician is working alone.

Once you know the best category for your needs, you must consider the filter that will do the job best. Depending on what conditions are prevalent in the workplace, it should be possible to select the right filter. In some cases like welding, you might not find a filter to deal with the submicron particles in the fumes in the original filters. In such a case, you might need to buy special ones.

The air flow rate of a system must also be considered. This is because the systems are distinguished based on the cubic feet of air they circulate per minute. It might sound simple but since manufacturers use different measures and advertise the effectiveness of their systems differently, you might have a hard time making a choice. You should consult an expert to make it easier.

You also need to decide whether you require a disposable or self cleaning unit. A disposable system uses filters that should be discarded once they reach their capacity. The self cleaning option means the filters will only require cleaning once they reach their capacity.

One factor that is affected by all the others is cost. For instance, choosing a unit with disposable filters will cost you more in the long run. Also choosing some options like the engineered fume extraction systems will be costlier. You must therefore consider your budget then choose a system that fits in well.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment