Industrial dust collection systems are used in factories, plants, warehouses, and other industrial or commercial settings to meet environmental and workplace health and safety requirements, as well as to reduce energy and maintenance costs. The need for a dust collection system in a given facility will, in large part, be driven by the industry itself. In other words, because types and amounts of discharges and pollutants differ by industry, some industrial environments may require a dust collection system while others may not. Dust, particulates, and fumes generated from manufacturing facilities and processing plants are far different than those that may be generated in a warehouse, for example. Nevertheless, in any facility, exposure to airborne particles generated by that facility can pose a health risk to anyone within the facility and, in some instances, the greater community.
Dust collection systems work in general by drawing particulates from the air through a filter that first captures and separates the matter, and then discharges purified air back into the workplace or environment. Types of dust collection systems vary as much as dust and particulates can vary from industry to industry. Nevertheless, in any industrial environment, once dust and particulates are airborne, they can present a number of health, safety, and production issues and concerns. A facility may need a dust collection system installed for a number of reasons. The value of such a system should not be underestimated. If your company is considering such a move, here are four ways to determine if your facility is in need of and ready for an industrial collection system:
1. Visible Signs of Dust
Seeing and smelling airborne particulates in a production facility is a sure sign that an industrial dust collection system is needed. Visible clouds of dust and particulate matter gathering in the facility during production can present many problems. Metalworking processes, food and pharmaceutical processing, chemical, paper, and agricultural processing are just some of the industries that produce hazardous dust and contaminants that need to be removed from the air. These dusts can be derived from any organic or metallic material. They may not only present serious health risks to employees, personnel, and visitors but more than likely are combustible too and can pose an incredible danger to the plant and surrounding community. If you can see and smell the dust, a dust collection system should be installed.
2. Type of Industrial Production
Certain industries by nature will produce dust, gases, and fumes as part of the manufacturing process. Factories and processing plants related to food and beverage processing, metal fabrication, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, coal handling and mining, cement processing, milling and woodworking, construction, recycling, oil and energy, textiles, and agriculture are all examples of production environments that will generate airborne particulates, gases, and hazardous dust that require a dust collection system to ensure a safe work environment within and clean discharge out. If your industry falls under one of these or related manufacturing environments, a dust collection system should be implemented.
3. Regulatory Compliance
All industries are subject to local, state, and national environmental regulations and worker safety standards to some extent. Most notably, EPA requirements are in place to protect the environment from any kind of air, water or land pollution generated by industries. OSHA guidelines require industries to maintain control of any hazards like airborne particulates and gases that may be released in the workplace. If your manufacturing facility is producing dust and introducing harmful particulate matter into the work environment, a top priority becomes ensuring air quality to not exceed worker exposure limits. Dangers from particulates can vary widely and range from nuisance dust that may cause respiratory inflammation to highly toxic airborne metal particles and substances that can lead to serious health consequences. These harmful particulates and gases cannot be discharged into the atmosphere or be left to circulate within the facility. Regulatory compliance alone will be a factor for not only determining the need for a dust collection system for a facility but the type of system required to be in compliance.
4. Increased Maintenance and Costs
In addition to health and safety concerns, when dust is continually building up and accumulating throughout the facility without regulatory maintenance—on equipment, production lines, and machinery, or into vents, ducts, and HVAC systems—it can lead to costly repairs and production downtime. Once dust and particulates settle onto machines and equipment, mixing with lubricants and oils, it can create grime, leaving a film residue that slows machines and may even cause them to malfunction. Once vents and ducts become filled with dust, heating and cooling filtration systems can become clogged, leading to expensive repairs and ongoing maintenance, too. Ineffective functioning HVAC systems will also result in increased energy costs for the facility.
Effective dust collection systems control, reduce, and remove dust and potentially harmful particulate matter produced during manufacturing processes. Dust collection equipment is specifically designed to filter these hazardous dust and fine particulate matter to maintain and improve air quality in and around the plant. If you’ve determined that the time for installing a dust collection system in your facility has arrived, contact the experts at CPEF Filters to discuss the most economical and practical long-term solutions—custom designed to meet your dust collection needs.
To learn more about how to choose an industrial dust collection system for your facility, please contact us at CPE Filters today!