Background:
A company specializing in the building and maintenance of water tanks and towers needed an air quality solution for their facility. The company, which provides a crucial service for infrastructure and municipal projects, relies on metal fabrication processes that involve extensive welding. These processes generate significant amounts of fumes and airborne contaminants. Maintaining a clean and safe working environment is critical, both for employee health and operational efficiency.
Problem:
Traditional fume extraction methods often rely on manual intervention, which can be ineffective if not consistently used. In their previous facility, the company relied on fume exhaust arms for welding fume extraction. These arms required manual repositioning, and operators often neglected to use them, leading to poor air quality and an increased risk of exposure to harmful fumes.
When the company moved into a new, larger facility with 18 welding bays, 36-foot ceilings, and overhead cranes, they recognized the need for a more effective fume control solution. Given the scale of their operations and the complexities of their new workspace, a well-planned and efficient system was necessary to improve air quality and overall safety.
Solution:
To address these challenges, the company partnered with Glacier Technology to implement a state-of-the-art fume extraction solution. The new system featured:
- Source Capture Weld Guns – Unlike traditional exhaust arms, these weld guns are designed to capture fumes directly at the welding point, ensuring immediate extraction and eliminating operator intervention.
- Eurovac Vacuum System – This high-performance vacuum system not only supports fume extraction but also includes housekeeping tools that allow employees to clean the shop efficiently at the end of each shift.
- CAD-Designed System Layout – Given the complexity of the facility’s layout, the system was carefully designed using CAD to ensure seamless integration with the workspace, avoiding obstructions from cranes and high ceilings.
Results:
The installation of the source capture weld guns and Eurovac vacuum system provided immediate and significant improvements:
- Superior Air Quality – The new system effectively removes welding fumes at the source, preventing them from accumulating in the work environment and reducing exposure risks for employees.
- Improved Operator Experience – Since the weld guns are always in the operators’ hands, fume extraction is consistent and does not require extra effort.
- Enhanced Facility Cleanliness – Using the same vacuum drops as the weld guns, Glacier also provided housekeeping tools to allow for quick and efficient shop cleanup, further improving working conditions.
By implementing this advanced solution, the water tank and tower operation has significantly enhanced workplace safety and efficiency. Moving forward, they plan to continue leveraging innovative air quality solutions to maintain optimal conditions for their workforce.
For metal fabrication and welding facilities facing similar air quality challenges, Glacier Technology offers expert guidance and industry-leading solutions. Contact the Glacier team today to learn more about improving air quality in your facility.
