Installing industrial ventilation systems is the preferred method of controlling airflow during hazardous processes and air contaminants. Properly designed industrial ventilation systems are the most common form of work environment engineering controls. TSM Houston (Texas Sheet Metal) knows this, and as such, has provided several design tips here.

For a successful industrial ventilation systems installation, coordination from several groups is essential. These groups include: the effected industrial shop, members of public works, the health and safety office, qualified engineers, and industrial hygiene and safety offices.

The design procedure for industrial ventilation systems can be broken down into eight steps, outlined here:

Step 1 – Identify all significant contaminant sources that require ventilation control. It is also important to judge how the new system might influence or disturb any existing processes, industrial ventilation systems or HVAC systems.

Step 2 – Consider how future (and more than likely expanded) use of the industrial ventilation systems will affect the current design. i.e. Should fans be designed to handle increased needs with minimal cost?

Step 3 – Design exhaust hoods

Step 4 – Establish the capture velocity necessary to control generated contaminants.

Step 5 – Determine the exhaust volumetric flow needed to sustain the capture velocity.

Step 6 – Create dimensioned drawings of the proposed industrial ventilation systems.

Step 7 – Size ductwork and make sure the minimum transport velocity is maintained throughout the system.

Step 8 – Determine replacement air requirements, i.e. negative/positive pressure in the room.

Obviously, these steps involve careful calculations and the design expertise of an experienced engineer, but the process is fairly straightforward. Quality designed industrial ventilation systems are invaluable, maintaining confidence in a healthy, safe, and a more enjoyable work environment.