What is the difference between exhaust and ventilation fans?
Exhaust and ventilation fans may seem similar. However, their distinct functions make all the difference in commercial and industrial settings. Exhaust fans are used to facilitate the removal of odours, fumes and smoke from an area. They draw air out of the room entirely and expel it to the outside to accomplish this task. Therefore, exhaust fans must be connected to proper venting systems with adequate airflow.
Ventilation fans also draw air from a space; however, they do not expel air outside. These fans cycle existing air back into the space or bring in external air from outside via ducting. Ventilation fans can help reduce energy costs as they circulate clean air throughout a space and are more cost effective, as they don't require additional venting components. With all this in mind, it’s clear that understanding how exhaust and ventilation fans differ is essential when selecting a fan suitable for your needs.
Exhaust fans vs ventilation fans.
Exhaust fans play a crucial role in maintaining clean air, by extracting airborne contaminants and pollutants. If these contaminants are not removed, you may breathe in harmful and potentially toxic particles. Exhaust fans can efficiently capture these hazardous particles from the air, preventing them from filtrating the work environment. This allows employees to work comfortably indoors, positively impacting their overall performance and without inhaling toxins.
As the name implies, ventilation fans or roof fans are used to ventilate an industrial or commercial space by providing workers with fresh air in an enclosed area. These fans circulate air from outside through the building, supplying a fresh supply of oxygenated and revitalised air. Ventilation fans are convenient and necessary for optimising air quality within a workspace. Poor ventilation leads to stagnant air, breathing difficulties and other health risks such as dizziness and nausea, which is why ventilation fans play a crucial role in maintaining clean air.
Exhaust fans and ventilation fans are both crucial components in the pursuit of better indoor air quality. Exhaust fans draw contaminants from the air by sucking out smoke, fumes, and other pollutants from industrial or commercial spaces. In contrast, ventilation fans work to bring fresh air into an enclosed space from outside sources without dispelling pollutants. Ultimately both fans ensure that workers can breathe clean air indoors - improving overall health and contributing to a safer work environment.
What are the advantages of exhaust fans?
There are a number of benefits associated with exhaust fans, including;
- Reduction in humidity levels
- Odour extraction
- Protection from airborne contaminants
Reduce indoor humidity levels.
Warehouses and industrial spaces are often vulnerable to moisture intrusion. This poses a significant risk to the interior structure, machinery, and inventory. High humidity can lead to extensive mould and mildew growth on products, shelves, boxes, and walls, causing stock damage or worse. Whereas excess condensation can cause rust, accelerating metal corrosion, resulting in considerable financial losses due to injuries or increased insurance premiums. To avoid issues from occurring, facility managers need to take proactive steps towards safeguarding the warehouse against moisture accumulation.
Exhaust fans are an essential tool in many applications, particularly industries such as food processing. They help to minimise excess moisture in an enclosed space by drawing stale air out of a room and replacing it with fresh air. Exhaust fans reduce the chance of fungal growth and other dampness-related issues while improving the overall air quality inside a building.
Remove odours.
Industrial odours can cause a significant problem for workers in the wastewater treatment, chemical processing, waste incineration and food production industries as they produce strong smells and aromas. It's essential to establish measures to mitigate potential odour problems to protect your employees from possible irritation or long-term damage. With this awareness comes an obligation from employers to provide a comfortable working environment for their employees – guided by Australian WHS legislation. This outlines laws concerning the duty of care you share for the health and safety of all those engaging in your processes or services.
Unpleasant odours can be drawn out faster with the help of an exhaust fan. This is important not just to create a pleasant atmosphere but also to safeguard against the short-term effects that unpleasant smells can have on workers. Exposure to strong odours can lead to coughing, wheezing and other respiratory issues. It’s been reported that extreme smells can also induce headaches or dizziness or even trigger anxiety or stress. Employers should take proactive steps to protect their workers by having an exhaust fan installed in the workplace.
Protections from airborne contaminants.
Industrial and manufacturing facilities are prone to a variety of substances that are considered hazardous. From gases and airborne particles to smoke, fumes and vapours, such environments can be dangerous. Continuous exposure can lead to headaches, eye irritation, chest pains, siderosis, cancer, and pulmonary oedema. The importance of safety when working with hazardous chemicals cannot be overstated and protocols must be followed to ensure no accidental exposures occur. Ensuring adequate ventilation when working with and storing these hazardous materials is paramount to prevent the build-up of dangerous vapours. Inhaling chemical fuels can lead to profound health implications, which is why industrial ventilation exhausts are designed with a vacuum that easily captures these substances.
An exhaust fan is an important aspect of a wider system that can help keep workers safe by removing any harmful contaminants lingering in the air after cleaning. Furthermore, compared to other ventilation systems, the installation of an exhaust fan is relatively straightforward and requires only basic maintenance over time. As such, this device should be seen as an important and cost-effective investment for any organisation that strives for a safe workplace for its employees.
What are the advantages of ventilation fans?
There are a few key benefits associated with ventilation fans, including;
- Supply of clean air
- Cost effective solution
Supply of clean air.
Ventilation fans share many characteristics with exhaust fans in terms of removing fumes, smells and other contaminants. However, they take it one step further by introducing fresh, clean air from the exterior. Ventilation fans can be used industrially where harmful fumes are produced consistently to improve indoor air quality. This solution provides peace of mind for industrial workers and manufacturers who wish to ensure their space remains clean and healthy for their workers.
Cost effective solution.
Ventilation and exhaust fans play an important role, contributing to employee comfort whilst safely removing pollutants and hazardous particles in the air. However, the choice between an exhaust or ventilation fan goes beyond the functions they can perform. Careful consideration should be made regarding the maintenance requirements of each solution. Exhaust fan motors tend to be larger in size, requiring more frequent maintenance. Whereas ventilation fan motors are typically smaller and require less upkeep as they circulate air without needing pressure to effectively push air through ducts or vents.
Industrial ventilation fans are a cost-effective way for organisations to improve air quality in their workplace. Ventilation fans are an important part of the industrial atmosphere and can be installed quickly at a reasonable price. Once installed, they require minimal maintenance and often only need repairs or servicing as needed. This makes them both cost-effective to install and maintain, allowing organisations to reap the long-term rewards of providing better quality air for their employees.
What are the disadvantages of the two fans?
High noise output.
While necessary in many industrial settings, exhaust and ventilation fans can be extremely disruptive due to their noise levels. This disruption can hinder communication between employees and negatively affect overall productivity. To counter this, today's industries have access to quieter models of exhaust fans that incorporate sound insulation materials.
Fanquip’s exhaust and ventilation fans operate at a surprisingly low noise output. At a distance of 3 metres, Fanquip’s exhaust fans and ventilation roof fans emit a noise output between 49 - 72 dBA, depending on the model and motor speed. To put this in context, Safe Work Australia outlines noise exposure standards stating that “Workers must not be exposed above 85 decibels (as an average) over eight hours at work”. Therefore, Fanquip’s exhaust and ventilation fans pose no noise related risks to the workplace environment.
Making the right choice about what ventilation or exhaust fan is suitable for your workplace environment is key. This enables a more pleasant and productive work environment without compromising air quality.
Large sizes.
Ventilation fans are essential to keeping a workplace comfortable and healthy by controlling the air temperature and air quality. It is important to know that ventilation fans come in different sizes suitable for different spaces. For instance, industrial buildings would require larger motors than a smaller single-family home or apartment complex, whilst businesses having multiple storeys or large open areas would necessitate bigger motors than what would be necessary for compact offices or stores with limited space.
Ventilation fans play an important role in providing good airflow throughout all sorts of environments across various industries, making it vital to choose a suitable fan size for your workplace. Ultimately, it pays to research which type of intake air fan best suits your specific needs before making any purchases - this will ensure that you get the most effective solution possible while avoiding unnecessary costs associated with purchasing an incorrectly sized motor. The team at Fanquip can help you determine the fan size and airflow required to ventilate any space effectively.
Fanquip’s industrial solutions.
Industrial operators have many options available when selecting intake air systems for their business operations. Some solutions are more suitable than others depending on the size, scope and application of their works. Understanding the differences between exhaust and ventilation fans allows operators to choose the right product based on their exact requirements without overspending on unnecessary features or underperforming components. By considering factors such as size, maintenance requirements, and application needs before purchase, industrial operators can ensure they select an efficient product that meets all their cooling and heating requirements at an affordable cost.
Fanquip provides a comprehensive range of exhaust and ventilation fans, making them the perfect choice for industrial workplaces. Their popular Centrifugal and Axial Fan and Roof Fan models provide efficient air movement, while their Wall Plate Fan and Side Wall Exhaust Fans can draw stale air away from areas with little to no access to the outside air.
If your smelter, refinery or manufacturing environment requires higher purification standards, the Purging Fan is the solution of choice. Fanquip offers a dedicated Vertical Discharge Fan with reliable performance in any location for vertical discharge operations. With products tailored to different industrial needs, Fanquip is committed to delivering quality solutions in ventilation technologies for any workplace scenario.
Fanquip has been providing high-quality ventilation solutions for almost 40 years, with expertise, guidance and assistance with choosing the perfect industrial ventilation fan, warehouse fan, or heater best suited for your business needs. If you are looking for a custom solution or more information, contact a Fanquip ventilation specialist today.