Keep Your Facility Breathing Freely 10 Ventilation Mistakes to Avoid with Industrial Air Blowers

1. Keep Your Facility Breathing Freely: 10 Ventilation Mistakes to Avoid with Industrial Air Blowers Proper ventilation is crucial for any industrial facility, helping maintain air quality, reduce humidity, and control temperatures. Powerful air blowers are the perfect solution for moving large volumes of air to achieve needed ventilation. However, there are some common mistakes made when installing and operating these systems that can reduce their effectiveness and even create new problems. This blog post reviews the top 10 ventilation mistakes to avoid with industrial air blowers. From underestimating CFM requirements to improper ductwork installation, we’ll explore the critical errors that plague many facilities. By understanding these pitfalls, you can optimize your ventilation for maximum performance. Let’s dive in and keep your facility breathing freely! Mistake 1: Not Considering Both Exhaust and Supply Air A balanced ventilation system requires careful attention to both exhaust and supply airflow rates. Exhausting air without replacing it can create negative building pressure. Supplying air without adequate exhaust leads to positive pressure. Either condition can introduce drafts, humidity

2. control issues, and equipment malfunctions. Make sure to calculate the total supply and exhaust CFM needs for balanced ventilation. Mistake 2: UNDER-SIZING the Air Blower CFM Capacity Failing to account for all ventilation requirements can lead to an undersized blower system. Consider fresh air needs, replacing exhausted air from hoods, dust collectors, etc. Add at least 20% extra capacity as a safety factor. Also, factor in reduced performance in dirty or humid conditions when sizing your blowers. Mistake 3: Assuming Air Blowers Already Meet Codes While many blowers feature durable spark-resistant construction, don’t assume they meet explosive environment requirements without verification. Use air blowers explicitly designed for Class 1 Div. 1/2 area if combustible dust or gases are present. Avoid potential disasters by matching blower safety ratings to your specific hazards. Mistake 4: Using Inadequate or Damaged Ductwork Improper ductwork severely reduces ventilation system performance. Ensure ducts are appropriately sized for the CFM volume. Repair any leaky, corroded, or collapsed ducts. Avoid excessive bends, elbows, or constrictions. Use smooth metal ducts for best airflow, not flexible plastic. And insulate ductwork to prevent surface condensation. Mistake 5: Not Accounting for Static Pressure Losses The friction of air moving through ducts and hoods creates static pressure resistance that blowers must overcome. Carefully calculate pressure losses from filter resistance, duct friction, elbows, and component static pressures. Add these figures when selecting blowers to ensure adequate power.

3. Mistake 6: Mounting Air Blowers Too Far from Entry Points Long duct runs between vacuum pump blowers, and entry points increase static pressure losses. This forces blowers to work harder while reducing airflow. Mount blowers as close to hood inlets and louvered wall entry points to maximize performance. Short and straight duct runs are best. Mistake 7: Using The Wrong Fan Types Or The Application Centrifugal fans are often used for high static pressure ventilation like dust collection. Axial fans better suit low-resistance systems like air supply. Know the static pressure requirements before choosing air blowers. Additionally, angled “tube axial” fans resist contaminated airstreams better than standard axial designs. Mistake 8: Not Providing Enough Inlet and Outlet Area Restricting airflow at the inlet and outlet severely limits blower performance. Provide ductwork that gives one square foot of free area for every 1000-2000 CFM capacity. Oversizing channel and outlet dimensions ensure the rated flows can be achieved. Mistake 9: Improper Maintenance and Filter Cleaning Clogged filters and accumulated dust on vacuum pump blower wheels reduce airflow dramatically. Stick to a schedule of regular filter replacement and blower cleaning to maintain ventilation volumes. Monitor pressure drop across filters and replace them per manufacturer guidelines. Mistake 10: Failing to Monitor Ventilation Performance Don’t assume your ventilation system maintains design performance over time. Implement airflow monitoring with pitot tubes and manometers at critical points. Check for balanced supply and exhaust flows. Only monitoring can identify reducing ventilation that signals problems.

4. Mistake 11: Not Addressing Environmental Factors Changes in temperature, humidity, and elevation affect air density and blowers’ ability to move air. Consider these factors when sizing systems and commissioning them. Blowers may need adjustments to compensate for lower densities in hot or high-altitude installations. Mistake 12: Improper Installation and Anchoring Carelessly installing air blowers leads to vibration, noise, and poor performance. Properly anchor units to rigid and level platforms, aligning pulleys and belts according to specifications. Follow manufacturer instructions to avoid “skill-saw” installations that cause problems down the road. Frequently Asked Questions About The Ventilation System How often should I replace air filters on my ventilation system? Most experts recommend replacing air filters every 1-3 months in industrial settings. Monitor pressure drop across the filter and replace it per the manufacturer’s guidelines, usually around a 1-3″ water column increase. Should I get an air audit done before installing a new ventilation system? Yes, an air audit done by ventilation experts is highly recommended to analyze your facility’s specific air exchange needs. This ensures your new blower system is sized and designed optimally for your environment. What CFM level is typically required per square foot of facility space? General ventilation guidelines call for around 1-2 CFM per square foot of building area. However, airflow needs depend on many factors like occupancy, processes, and desired air changes per hour. An air audit will determine your facility’s specific CFM requirements. Can I convert an old belt drive blower system to a direct drive? In some cases, it may be possible, but you’ll need to work closely with the blower manufacturer to determine compatibility. Often it is better to purchase new direct-drive air blowers explicitly designed for the application. Should I have any safety devices installed along with a ventilation system?

5. Yes, you should have ductwork pressure relief panels and temperature or spark detection devices that automatically shut down blowers in overheating or fire conditions. Safety should always be considered. Upgrade to Modern Air Blower Technology Today! You can achieve superior performance from your industrial air blowers and ventilation equipment by avoiding these common mistakes. Proper sizing, design, installation, and maintenance keep air flowing freely through your facility. To discuss your ventilation challenges and get expert blower recommendations tailored to your specific needs, contact the application engineers at W&Z Machinery Systems today. With a highly experienced team and years of professional service, we’ve provided customized industrial ventilation solutions, including regenerative blowers, vacuum pump blowers, etc., to facilities across every industry. Trust our experience to keep your environment effectively ventilated. Read More: Click Here