Different Types of Auto Body Shop Ventilation Systems
Proper ventilation, air intake, or air control is one of the most important aspects of a well-run auto body shop. Not only is the health of your body shop employees a priority, but having good airflow that is up to code also helps keep humidity controlled, and provides a comfortable environment with a consistent temperature.
Knowing which type of ventilation system is right for your auto body shop can go a long way towards keeping employees healthy and happy, and making sure your business is functioning the way it should by meeting auto repair shop ventilation requirements.
Whether you pick fan- or exhaust-based air filtration, it's important to know the pros and cons of each, and why you should pick one over the other.
Why Body Shop Ventilation is Important
When an auto shop is not properly ventilated, at a professional shop or at home, it can cause a lot of health concerns. Metal particles, paint and chemical fumes, and other contaminants are constantly flying through the air and must be removed and replaced with clean, fresh air in order to ensure employees' health and safety.
Highly flammable materials are also a part of the day-to-day functions in a body shop, and it's important to remove these gases and fumes to reduce the risk of explosion or fire and ensure that employees have clean, breathable air.
Auto Shop Ventilation Types
Fans
Fans are a great way to enhance existing ventilation systems in body shops or for home mechanics who need some sort of air cleaning system but don't want to spend a large sum of money. Fans provide clean air in body shops and home garages by sucking it into the building and expelling it through another fan or exhaust setup.
Fan Types
Depending on your needs -- whether you need a whole-shop system or just a supplement -- there are a wide variety of fans and systems that will be beneficial and will help generate clean, breathable air.
- Floor Fans - Generally available in a fixed drum style or a basic fan mounted on legs, floor fans are designed to be used in auto body shops as a supplement only, or in small home garages that just need an extra boost of clean air.
- Direct Drive Fans - Direct drive fans are a great option for auto body shops. They can be installed individually in one location in your shop, or you can install multiple fans at either end for maximum airflow. Direct drive fans are constructed so that the fan motor that controls the speed and movement of the fan blades is directly connected to the fan via an axle or shaft, which means that the fan blades rotate at the same speed as the motor. Efficiency is greater overall than belt fans, as the reduced amount of friction that occurs means less energy is required to power the fan, and maintenance is simpler and happens less often as there is no belt to replace.
- Belt Drive Fans - Belt drive fans are driven by a belt, sometimes multiple belts, that connects the fan blades to the motor. This type of fan typically operates with less noise than a direct drive version, and tend to be cheaper as an overall unit. They also offer a bit more speed flexibility in terms of RPMs, but due to the potential for more friction between parts, can require a little more upkeep than direct drive units.
Exhaust Extraction Systems
Auto body shop exhaust systems are designed to filter and remove or extract larger amounts of air, so these tend to work well for shops with larger capacities. There are several different exhaust options available to purify your garage air -- whole-garage systems and systems that capture the vehicle exhaust at the source and remove the air to the outside. Whole-shop ventilation systems tend to work in conjunction with your AC/heating units, and have filters that capture air particles and other carcinogens before transferring the air outside.
Portable exhaust systems and exhaust extraction kits that capture and remove air directly from the source are one of the best ways an auto body shop or home mechanic can achieve clean, breathable air. Exhaust extraction kits feature a variety of hoses that attach directly to the vehicle's exhaust and expels the air directly outside, drastically reducing carbon monoxide and carcinogen exposure. Portable exhaust systems are portable fans that capture exhaust fumes and transport them up to 30 feet away.
Air Filtration Systems
Air filtration systems purify and filter the air, as opposed to exhausting it or removing it from the area. Usually mounted in the center of the garage from the ceiling, most models feature user-friendly interfaces such as easy control and front-loading filters for easy cleaning, and a direct drive blower expels clean air. Activated carbon and HEPA is recommended to ensure air quality and provide your employees with a safer work environment. Also available as portable units, air filtration systems can be used alongside existing exhaust or fan systems.
Paint Booth Ventilation
It's especially important to properly ventilate paint booths. Due to the enclosed space, there's more risk for fire hazard and pollutants in the air. If you'll be completing any vehicle painting jobs, proper airflow and ventilation can also help ensure a more consistent paint job. Portable or small ventilation fans are also excellent ways to make sure your paint booth is properly ventilated, and can be used to supplement the paint booth's existing intake and exhaust filter systems.
Best Types of Ventilation Systems for Home Shops
While your exhaust output and the level of carcinogens might be significantly lower than a professional auto body shop, it's still important to make sure you're breathing clean air and reducing the risk of fire in your home garage or shop. The level of your ventilation investment will depend on the scope and nature of your home projects.
- If you're completing small, average shop tasks with limited exhaust output, a small portable fan or two will work well. Make sure to leave doors cracked or open, and if you're dealing with paint, exhaust, or other fumes, it's probably best to keep a respirator around in addition to the fans.
- If you're detailing/painting/performing engine repairs more frequently, you'll probably want something a little more proactive when it comes to keeping the air clean. Consider having a direct drive or belt driven fan installed, and keeping a few portable floor fans around. A portable exhaust system -- which collects air and dispels it up to 30 feet away -- might also be something to consider.
Proper ventilation is very important for all body shops and home mechanics, and it doesn't have to be a hassle to figure out which auto shop ventilation, exhaust, or filtration system meets your needs and safety requirements. If you're still looking for your auto shop or home garage ventilation system, Auto Body Toolmart has a wide range of exhaust, filtration, and ventilation equipment to keep your business up to code and your employees breathing easy.