Challenges facing engineering businesses
Because there are so many potential risks and hazards involving chemicals and logistics in engineering processes, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to ductwork and ventilation that can be used across multiple businesses. It’s for this reason that we offer bespoke solutions that revolve around your unique requirements.
For those working with chemicals, there is a real risk of fires or explosions due to the solvents used in the manufacturing processes. Therefore, if a workplace’s ventilation is unmanaged, flammable liquids and dust can result in potentially fatal health and safety issues for staff.
Cleanroom contamination is another central area of concern for those in the engineering industry. Keeping hazardous particles, smoke and dust away from cleanroom processes is essential to prevent dips in productivity, which our products aim to tackle.
Fume and odour are both areas that also need to be mitigated, and corrosion is a risk to both processes and health and safety. Paints, animal by-products and natural ecological elements also present their own unique risk in certain environments, so our goal is to install ductwork that eradicates these concerns.
Design Considerations
Systems and ductwork for engineering applications must maintain negative pressure within all portions of the ductwork inside the building when the system is in operation
Exhaust system ductwork should meet Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA, 1985) standards – depending on the system
Exhaust ductwork should be corrosion-resistant and selected based on its resistance to the primary corrosive element
Exhaust system materials should be non-combustible if there is perchloric acid or similar oxidising agents that could lead to a fire or an explosion
Exhaust ductwork joints should be sealed to protect against a chemical or corrosive attack
Solutions
We often recommend welded stainless steel type 316L, but it may not be appropriate for all chemicals and corrosives. Stainless steel is a risky specification if there is hydrochloric acid or nitric acid vapour present.
Galvanized steel coated inside and out with a 4 mL thick coating of polyvinyl chloride, or a corrosion-resistant epoxy coating, may be an acceptable material for fume exhaust ductwork.
Choose the extraction system that’s right for your engineering facility with Airmatic
Get in touch with a member of the Airmatic team today on +44 (0)161 764 4004 to discuss your business’s unique requirements. Alternatively, submit your request via our contact us page and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Project Director
I can say I was very pleased with the installation Airmatic did for us on our odour abatement project. The design of the system quality of ductwork and the installation was first class all delivered on time and on budget.
Project Manager
The Airmatic team excelled in the delivery of our Vapour Extract system. Their stainless steel extract system was expertly manufactured and installed to a high standard
Project Engineer
Can I compliment you and your guys for an excellent standard of work, it puts an existing system manufactured by others to shame. Thank you also for your efficiency in delivering as promised, I know where to go for any future requirements
