Think your industrial ventilation is “good enough”? Many common beliefs about these systems can actually lead to unsafe and inefficient workplaces. From thinking more airflow is always better to neglecting essential maintenance, these misunderstandings can have consequences that affect both the safety of your workspace as well as your bottom line.

As industrial ventilation design experts with decades of experience across all major industries, we at Eldridge have seen it all. We can help ensure that your facility has the precise ventilation setup it needs. Contact us today for a consultation and leverage our expertise for your operations.

Myth #1: More Airflow Equals Better Ventilation

A common misconception is that stronger airflow means your ventilation is more effective. However, this belief often overlooks critical principles of ventilation design. In reality, maximizing airflow without strategic direction is like trying to put out a fire by misting water everywhere instead of spraying it right at the flames.

For example, consider a welding station that produces fumes. Just blowing a lot of air around the room might slightly reduce the overall amount of fumes, but it won’t effectively remove them right where the welder is breathing. In fact, studies show that poorly designed systems with too much undirected airflow can spread those harmful substances to a wider area, affecting more workers.

True effective ventilation isn’t about the quantity of air, but about how the airflow is intentionally designed to move through the space. This design includes considerations like capture velocity, the air speed needed right at the source to pull contaminants into the exhaust, and air distribution, the strategic placement of supply and exhaust points to create desired airflow patterns.. 

Without proper ductwork, hood design, and fan selection tailored to the specific process and contaminants, that high volume of air might just be wasted energy and still leave hazards lingering. In fact, the US Department of Energy estimates that inefficient ventilation systems can account for a significant portion of a facility’s energy costs. It’s estimated that electricity consumption for cooling accounted for about 14% of total electricity consumption in U.S. commercial buildings, with an additional 18% consumed for ventilation.

Focusing on smart, targeted airflow through well-designed industrial ventilation is far more effective and energy-efficient than simply cranking up the fan speed. It’s about precision, not just power.

Myth #2: Local Exhaust is Only Necessary for Obvious Dust and Fumes

Another common mistake made in industrial ventilation setups is assuming that local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is only needed for big clouds of dust or thick plumes of smoke. While LEV is certainly crucial for those situations, it’s needed for much more than just what you can easily see.

Many harmful contaminants in the air aren’t visible, like gases, vapors from solvents or chemicals, and tiny particles you can’t see with the naked eye, such as tiny metallic fragments in welding fumes. Without LEV to capture those vapors right at the source, they spread into the rest of your work area. A good industrial ventilation system design should start by identifying all the potential airborne hazards, visible or not. This might involve air monitoring or reviewing the safety data sheets for the chemicals you use.

Incorporating LEV into your system is a proactive way to keep your workspace air clean and keep your workers safe from airborne contaminants. Ignoring these invisible dangers may lead to long-term health issues for your employees and even potential compliance problems for your business.

Myth #3: Anyone Can Design and Install a Ventilation System

Industrial ventilation is a very specialized field, and design and component selection typically requires special skills and knowledge to find the right system for a specific application.

Unlike comfort ventilation, which focuses on temperature and general air quality for occupants, industrial ventilation is primarily concerned with controlling hazardous airborne substances at their source. Industrial facilities demand a thorough understanding of specific contaminants, industrial processes, and applicable regulations. 

A professional without specialized industrial ventilation skills and knowledge might not be able to:

• Identify and assess specific industrial hazards: Recognize the nuances of various dusts, fumes, gases, and vapors produced by industrial processes and their potential health impacts.
• Select appropriate materials and equipment: Industrial environments often involve corrosive substances, high temperatures, or abrasive materials that require specialized fans, ductwork, and filtration systems.
• Comply with complex regulations and standards: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and other regulatory bodies have specific requirements for industrial ventilation. 
• Integrate ventilation with industrial processes: Industrial ventilation often needs to be seamlessly integrated with production machinery and workflows

Choosing a professional without specific experience in industrial ventilation can lead to systems that are ineffective, inefficient, and potentially non-compliant, putting your workers at risk and costing you more in the long run through rework, fines, and health-related issues. Make sure you seek out ventilation professionals who have a proven track record and specialized expertise in designing and installing systems for industrial applications.

Myth #4: Once Installed, a Ventilation System Doesn’t Require Much Maintenance

It’s a common belief that once a well-designed ventilation system is up and running, it can run continuously and do its job without intervention. However, ventilation systems are like vehicles; they need regular check-ups and maintenance to keep working properly.

These systems move a lot of air, and that air often carries dust, fumes, and other contaminants. Over time, these accumulate within the system on various surfaces. Filters get clogged, ductwork gets dirty, and fans can collect build-up that affects their velocity.  When this happens, the system doesn’t work as well as it should. It might not be moving enough air, or the airflow might not be properly directed anymore. A key component can even break down, leading to costly repairs and downtime.

Regular maintenance is key. This includes things like:

• Changing filters: Clogged filters restrict airflow and make the system work harder, wasting energy.
• Cleaning ductwork: Dust and debris buildup in ducts can reduce airflow and even become a fire hazard.
• Checking fans and motors: These components can wear out over time, leading to reduced airflow or system failure.
• Testing airflow: Regular testing ensures the system is still moving the right amount of air in the right places.

The best approach is to have a preventative maintenance plan. This means scheduling regular inspections and maintenance tasks, rather than waiting for something to go wrong. This keeps your system running efficiently, protects your workers, and saves you money in the long run. Your industrial ventilation design team can create an easy-to-follow schedule that keeps your system running continuously at peak performance.

Expert Industrial Ventilation Design and Installation

From the misconception that more air is always better to overlooking the necessity of regular maintenance and specialized expertise, these misunderstandings can compromise safety and increase operational costs in your facility. Get peace of mind and help keep costs under control with the help of our industrial ventilation specialists. Contact our team at Eldridge today for a comprehensive consultation.