Why is fume extraction important?

The purpose of any fume extraction system is to help control worker exposure to solder fume. If not maintained properly, the system may not adequately control that exposure.

How do I choose a welding fume extractor?

Look for an extractor with heavy-duty stainless steel cabinet construction featuring 100\% welded seams. Welded seams and a durable cabinet will prevent against leaks, and leaks are the enemy of clean air.

How far should the fume extraction hood be while welding?

The general rule is to have a distance that is equal to the diameter of the extraction arm. For example, a hood with an eight inch extraction arm should be placed about eight inches away from the extraction source. This is generally used with standard cone-shaped hoods.

What is in welding fume?

Welding fumes are a complex mixture of metals metallic oxides, silicates and fluorides. Fumes are formed when a metal is heated above its boiling point and its vapours condense into very fine, particles (solid particulates). Welding fumes generally contain particles from the electrode and the material being welded.

How do fume filters work?

A fume extractor is a system utilizing a fan to pull fumes and particulate into a filtration system cleaning the air of harmful chemicals and particulates. The combination of the powerful fan and high-quality filtration media creates a recirculating air pattern for ductless units.

Why is a ventilation system important in gas metal arc or flux core arc welding?

It is not generally used outdoors. Flux-cored arc welding that uses an arc between a continuous tubular filler metal electrode and the weld pool. Proper ventilation is paramount as many of the chemicals used in electrode coatings are hazardous if inhaled.

How do you control welding fumes?

Simple steps can minimize exposure:

1. Wear a respirator.
2. Don’t stand in before air flow pushing fumes away from your workspace.
3. Position your face as far from fumes as possible.
4. Use a small cooling fan if no air flow moves fumes from your workspace,.
5. Use any provided ventilation systems.

How do fume extraction systems work?

Fume extraction systems are a logical and efficient solution. But what are those systems and how do they work? Fume extractors are used to extract and filtrate toxic fumes and dust from work environments. Such systems performance is under close regulation by laws regarding workspaces.

What is the best air filter for fume extraction?

HEPA filters are the gold standard when it comes to air filtration and can capture up to 99.995\% of particles. All fume extraction systems are rated based on the amount of cubic feet of air they circulate each minute (CFM). There are multiple factors which may affect an extractor’s CFM, even when brand new.

What is a shelf mounted fume extractor?

Shelf or enclosure mounted fume extractors are compact units and do not require external ducting because the air is recirculated back into the room after filtration. These systems may have one to two hoses to help direct air flow or will be mounted close to the source of the fumes.

What type of welding fume extraction unit do I Need?

Portable welding fume extraction units are recommend for areas that are not accessible to stationary or larger mobile units. These units have a high degree of flexibility as they can be wall mounted or used as a mobile unit on wheels.