Ventilating a commercial building means the simple replacement of foul or stale air with fresh, clean air. Even though the complete ventilation process requires different exhaust units tend to vary, the key fundamental never changes. This means undesired air should be pushed out, letting fresh air seep in. The critical variables that tend to change depending upon the need are exhaust fan model & the CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) (Air Volume Flow Rate). So, if you are planning for industrial exhaust fan installation, it is critical that you keep in mind other considerations such as airflow resistance, sounds generated by the fan, and so on.
Deciding the industrial exhaust fan that can be best for your premise is a decision that requires rigorous research and knowledge of the unit you are about to purchase.
So, let take a look at some features that can help you pick the right design for industrial exhaust fan installation.
1-Fan Model:
Every fan is designed to perform a basic function that involved moving air present in one area to another. However, the diversity of industrial exhaust fans has brought in multiple variants that might trick you when it comes to making the right decision. So, here are some of the guidelines to look through when opting for industrial exhaust fan installation.
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Belt Drive vs. Direct Drive:
Direct drive fans tend to be economical when it comes to the pressure of low volume & low static. They need little to no maintenance & almost all variants of the direct-drive motor variants can easily be used for speed control with adjustment of CFM. On the other hand, belt drive-based fans are optimally suited to allow high air volumes with more static pressure. The fans prone to high temperatures are generally belt-driven.
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Centrifugal vs. Propeller:
Fans with wheel propellers serve as an economical way to move massive volumes of air while generating low pressure from static energy. These motors are mostly mounted over the airstream that tends to limit its applications to clean up air when the maximum temperature is close to 40 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, centrifugal fans work rather efficiently at the higher pressure areas while being quieter than the propeller fans.
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Location of the Fan:
Most fan models come with a design that can be mounted over 3 common location such as the wall, roof, or inside the duct. Whatever maybe the location, the basic components of the fan doesn’t change. There are only small changes to the housing of the fan to make the installation process easier. Determining which location suits your industrial exhaust fan installation best depends completely on the desired airflow pattern or the physical attributes shared by the building.
2-CFM or Cubic Feet per Minute:
Once the type of fan is known to you, the air volume that needs to be exchanged should be determined. Your building codes can provide you with enough information that might suggest the required air changes to ensure proper ventilation. The specified ranges will ventilate your space adequately. However, extreme air propelling conditions might require additional “Minutes per Change” apart from the given range. For the hot climates with increased usage, you need to select a lower number range for air to flow in a quick pattern.
3-Static Pressure:
An accurate number for static pressure can be critical to the selection of the right unit for industrial exhaust fan installation. The static pressure exerted by the fan is generally measured by change in inches of the water gauge. Static pressure present in the fan systems tends to be typically below the 2” SP mark or the 0.072 Psi.
Pressure differential present between the atmosphere and the duct can cause the gauge’s water level to settle at varying levels. This particular difference is measured within the water gauge as inches.
| Static Pressure Guidelines | |
| Ducted | Ranges between 0.2” to 0.40” for every 100 feet duct (Here assuming the air velocity in the duct falls between 1000-1800 feet/min) |
| Non-Ducted | Ranges between 0.05” to 0.20.” |
| Fittings | Lines at 0.08” for each fitting (register, elbow, damper, grill, etc.) |
| Kitchen Hood Exhaust | Ranges between 0.625” to 1.50.” |
4-Sound Levels:
Also known as Sones, the sound that is generated from the fan also needs to be considered. When you need to choose a fan for your industrial needs, the common unit to express the sound’s pressure level should always be considered. In simple terms, the sound experienced from a quiet refrigerator that is heard from a distance of 5 feet is termed as 1 sone for an average room.
The correct process for industrial exhaust fan installation
It is obvious that an unprofessional installation of the industrial exhaust fan can lead to unwanted damages. So, it is always preferable that you go with professionals for industrial exhaust fan installation to avoid any potential malfunction in the long run.
- Install the blower fan over a rigid & strong surface to support its dead weight.
- Make sure that the fan is placed in an area that can withstand or reduce any level of vibration.
- If you experience high levels of vibration post-installation, try and ask your service provider to isolate these vibrations by using appropriate isolators.
- Make sure you check through the alignment to adhere to standards set for manufacturer’s tolerances.
Conclusion
Planning for the right unit before industrial exhaust fan installation can help you save a lot in terms of time and money in the long run. Keep in mind that industrial exhaust fans aren’t similar to the residential exhaust fans. So, you need to know the difference between the two and choose accordingly for better comfort and health of your employees.
Looking for a reliable service provider for industrial exhaust fan installation near you? Enertia HVAC/R provides top-notch maintenance, testing, installation, and repair facilities at flexible prices. To order our services today, give us a quick call at (214) 550-3458. You can also write to us at enertiallc@gmail.com for service related queries.