CHOOSING BETWEEN FILTERED & DUCTED FUME EXTRACTION: WHICH WALL MOUNT SYSTEM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

When it comes to maintaining clean air and safety in your industrial workspace, selecting the right fume extraction system is crucial for both worker safety and operational efficiency.

Wall mounted fume extractors provide exceptional flexibility for removing harmful fumes and dust, but choosing between filtered and ducted options requires careful consideration of your specific needs and environment.

Understanding Your Options

Wall mounted fume extractors come in three main configurations, each designed to address different workplace requirements:

Filtered Systems: The Plug-and-Play Solution

Filtered wall mounted fume extractors offer the ultimate convenience with their self-contained design. These units feature:

• Three-stage filtration that effectively captures and removes harmful particulates
• Heavy gauge, powder coated steel shell for durability in industrial environments
• Flexible capture arm that stays in position once set
• Simple installation - just mount to a wall or welding booth and connect to power

The primary advantage of filtered systems is their ease of implementation. Without requiring any external ducting, they can be installed virtually anywhere with access to appropriate electrical power. These units work by drawing contaminated air through the filtration system and recirculating clean air back into the workspace.

Filtered Systems with Spark Trap: Enhanced Safety

For environments where sparks and fire risks are present, filtered systems with spark traps provide an essential additional layer of protection. These enhanced units include:

• Advanced nanofiber filtration for superior particle capture
• Integrated spark trap that captures and cools hot sparks before they reach the main filter
• All the convenience features of standard filtered units
• Reduced fire risk in welding, grinding, and other high-heat applications

The spark trap provides critical protection by preventing hot particles from reaching the filter material, significantly decreasing the risk of filter fires. This makes these units particularly valuable in welding operations using processes like Stick/SMAW, Flux Core/FCAW, and other applications that generate sparks.

Ducted Systems: Maximum Extraction

Ducted wall mount fume extractors take a different approach by channeling contaminated air outside the facility or to a central collection system. Key features include:

• High-capacity motor and aluminum propeller for powerful extraction
• Flexible capture arm with complete 360° movement
• Standard duct connection for integration with existing ventilation systems
• Professional installation with custom duct design

These systems are ideal when you need to completely remove contaminants from the workspace rather than filtering and recirculating the air. They can be particularly valuable when dealing with certain types of hazardous fumes that require complete evacuation.

Explore Ducted Units

Making the Right Choice for Your Workspace

Several factors should influence your decision between filtered and ducted extraction systems:

Space and Installation Considerations

Filtered systems (both standard and spark trap versions) shine in environments where:

• External ducting is impractical or impossible
• Quick installation is needed
• Flexibility for future relocation might be required
• Self-contained operation is preferred

Ducted systems are typically better suited for:

• Permanent installations
• Facilities with existing ductwork
• Environments where complete fume removal is required
• Spaces where multiple extraction points connect to a central system

Application-Specific Requirements

The nature of your work processes should heavily influence your choice:

For welding applications (MIG/GMAW, TIG/GTAW, Flux Core/FCAW, Stick/SMAW):

• • Light to moderate welding with minimal sparks: Standard filtered systems
  • Heavy welding with significant spark production: Filtered with spark trap
  • Specialized metals or coatings producing toxic fumes: Ducted systems

For dust-generating processes:

• • Fine, non-toxic dust: Filtered systems
  • Coarser particles that might quickly clog filters: Ducted systems

Maintenance and Operational Costs

Consider the long-term implications of your choice:

Filtered systems require:

• Regular filter replacement (typically every 2-3 months depending on usage)
• Filter cleaning and maintenance
• No external ducting maintenance

Ducted systems require:

• Periodic duct cleaning and inspection
• Potentially higher energy costs to heat replacement air
• Minimal component replacement
  

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Tailoring Your Fume Extraction Solution

The modular nature of modern wall mount fume extractors allows for customization to meet your exact needs:

Arm Selection

Both filtered and ducted systems can be equipped with various arm options:

• Diameters: 6" or 8"
• Lengths: 7', 10', or 14'
• Configuration: Single arm or dual 6" arms

Larger diameter arms (8") provide higher airflow (750-1200 CFM) compared to 6" arms (525-750 CFM), making them suitable for heavier applications.

Power and Airflow

Standard 2 HP motors provide 1600 CFM of airflow, suitable for most industrial applications. This powerful extraction ensures efficient capture of fumes and particles at the source.

Making Your Decision

The choice between filtered and ducted fume extraction ultimately depends on your specific workspace requirements, the nature of your processes, and your facility constraints.

Choose filtered systems when:

• External ducting isn't feasible
• Quick, simple installation is needed
• You need flexibility for future reconfiguration
• Your application produces manageable amounts of non-toxic fumes

Add a spark trap when:

• Your processes generate sparks or hot particles
• You work with welding, grinding, or cutting operations
• Fire safety is a particular concern

Choose ducted systems when:

• Complete removal of contaminants is required
• Your facility already has ducting infrastructure
• You're dealing with particularly hazardous fumes
• You have multiple extraction points that can connect to a central system

By carefully assessing your workspace needs and the nature of your processes, you can select the ideal wall mounted fume extractor configuration to ensure a safe, clean, and efficient working environment.

Ready to determine which system is right for your specific needs? Our experts can provide recommendations based on your unique application requirements.

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