Carbon Loading Polypropylene to Prevent Electrostatic Discharge in ATEX Environments

  To avoid electrostatic discharge, plastics needs to be electrically conductive or static dissipative. The most effective way of dissipating electrostatic discharge is to add conductive carbon black to your polymer matrix.   For the context of this article, we’ll consider how our existing polypropylene corrosion resistant fans are modified to extend the range to an ATEX certified range suitable for zone 2 potentially explosive environments. These ATEX certified polypropylene fans are manufactured from polymers that hav...


How are ATEX Corrosion Resistant Fans Used in Cement and Asphalt Production?

As with many process industries, Corrosion resistant ATEX fans are used in the production stages of cement and asphalt manufacturing. The industrial fan, alongside other system components, ensures safety, increases plant efficiency, and in terms of combustion, helps to maximise product yield to meet the required demand placed on the manufacturer from a busy and competitive industry.   The processes involved in the manufacture of cement and asphalt lead to the production of flammable fumes and vapours, or combustible dust particle...


The Fume Fan Specification Process

  To ensure you have an accurate and comprehensive corrosion resistant fan specification in your fume extraction project documents we advise that you include the following data to allow additional stakeholders to source and find the right product for the project:   Product Name & Model Clearly identify the manufacturer, specific model and product name of the fan you are suggesting.   Technical Fan Performance Data Provide performance data such as airflow capacity, static pressure capabilities, voltage...


Corrosion Resistant ATEX Fans used for the Reduction of Waste Gases in Sulphur Recovery Units

Explosion proof fans are critical components for sulphur recovery units within oil and gas refineries. Integrated fans must be suitable to withstand extreme temperatures and provide protection against elevated levels of corrosion including high temperature corrosion, dew point corrosion, acid corrosion and stress corrosion. Environmental legislation limits the release of SO2 emissions and environmental pollution; therefore, oil refineries are expected to recover between 95% – 99.99% of sulphur. Sulphur recovery units are designed to run a...


Axair’s 2023 Fundraiser: Ambulances for Ukraine

Since its incorporation in 1992, Axair has situated itself as a forward thinking, humanistic and philanthropic organisation. Charity initiatives have included community and environmental work, multiple charitable marathons runs, hair donations, gift donations, food bank contributions and sponsorship of many of our customers sports teams.     In early 2023, Axair and a small group of likeminded companies discussed the next initiative in depth and chose to support the Ukrainian medical transportation crisis. Since Russia's war on Ukr...


Enhancing Precision in Fume Fan Specification: The Role of BIM, CAD, and STEP

In the realm of fume extraction systems, precision and efficiency are of paramount importance to ensure the safety and well-being of occupants in industrial and laboratory settings. The selection of the right fume fan plays a pivotal role in the overall effectiveness of such systems. However, with a multitude of considerations to address, from design intricacies to system integration, specifiers often face the challenge of accurately specifying fume fans that align with project requirements. This document aims to shed light on the transformativ...


The Importance of Industrial Fans in 3 Common Fume Extraction Systems

A properly designed fume extraction system will collect the air that contains contaminants, make sure they are contained and taken way, and if necessary, clean the air and discharge safely into atmosphere. In this section we’ll look at the main extraction systems that you’ll come across. These can occur in many industries including laboratory, water treatment and environmental sectors.   Fume Cupboards & Fume Hoods   The size of the fan required in fume cupboards depends on factors related to the specific applicati...


A Complete Guide to Fume Fan Selection in Fume Extraction Systems

The selection of an appropriate fan for a fume extraction system is crucial for achieving effective and efficient extraction. One of the most important things we’ll ask is for you to consider if you’ll ever want to speed control the fan, this will determine the voltage, whether single or three phase. From here we’ll need additional information starting with the below:   01. Airflow Accurate assessment of the airflow requirements is essential to ensure proper ventilation and fume extract. Factors such as the size of the workspace...


What is BS EN14175?

  BS EN 14175 is a British Standard related to the safety and performance requirements of Fume cupboards. It is part of the European standard series EN 14175, which specifies safety and performance requirements for fume cupboards used in laboratories.     The standard outlines essential criteria for the design, construction, and testing of fume cupboards, which are essential laboratory equipment used to contain and exhaust hazardous fumes, vapours, or dusts generated during various laboratory processes. BS EN 14175...


Energy Efficient Fans, MVHR and The Passivhaus Standard

The Passivhaus standard is widely recognised in the construction industry and provides specific criteria to increase the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings in line with future sustainability and net zero goals. The overall design and construction of a building including the integration of effective and efficient HVAC systems must meet the full criteria for it to be Passivhaus certified.   Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR):   While Passivhaus buildings are airtight, we’ll cover more on this lat...


The Significance of Velocity Pressure in Selecting Fume Extraction Exhaust Fans for Ducted Systems

  In fume extraction systems, ensuring the safe and efficient removal of hazardous airborne contaminants is the primary task. Properly designed exhaust fans are instrumental in achieving this objective. Among the critical factors to consider during the fan selection process, velocity pressure stands out as a key parameter that directly influences the performance and effectiveness of a fume extraction system. In simple terms, velocity pressure is the pressure created by the fast-moving particles in a gas because of the speed it moves....


The Importance of Hazardous Area Classifications in ATEX Fan Selection

  In many of the industries our customers operate in, there are explosive or dangerous hazards present, whether continuously, occasionally, or rarely. Hazards such as leakage of flammable gases, dangers of gases accumulating in confined spaces, release of toxic gases, or exposure to aggressive chemicals are just a few examples that can be considered risky hazardous situations with a potential to cause an explosion. To ensure safety in these dangerous applications, there are several directives and regulations that offer guidance – m...


Mechanical Design Criteria of Fans for Explosive Atmospheres: Clearance of Rotating Parts

  Section 4.4.1 of the standard EN14986:2017, known as the design of fans working in explosive atmospheres, describes how industrial fans should be designed to make them suitable for placement on the EU or UK market, in explosive atmospheres. This standard provides guidance on design, construction and testing of industrial fans, and includes compulsory requirements for the clearance of rotating parts to prevent ignition.   Clearance between Rotating Elements and the Fan Casing The most important safety feature of any industria...


Understanding Intrinsic & Extrinsic Protection Principles

  Intrinsic Protection Intrinsic protection refers to the built-in safety features or mechanisms that are inherent to a components design. These features are designed to protect the equipment itself and ensure its proper operation. Intrinsic protection can include various elements such as thermal protection, overload protection, short-circuit protection, and voltage surge protection. These features are integrated within the motor to automatically detect and respond to abnormal conditions or potential hazards, safeguarding the equipment...


The Importance of Auto Ignition Temperatures in ATEX Fan Selection

ATEX protection is all centred around preventing an explosion from happening when there is a presence of combustible dust or flammable gas, this means considering all potential ignition sources. When looking at sources, most people will look for sparks and flames as an obvious risk, but the gas or dust properties themselves are an important aspect to protect against.   One of these properties is their temperature characteristics. Flammable gases have specific ignition temperatures, known as autoignition temperatures. These temperatur...