Airborne contaminants pose a major health and safety risk in industrial environments. Workplaces need effective extraction solutions to protect their staff from hazardous fumes and fine particulates, which can also negatively impact their efficiency.
Hood and enclosure systems are some of the most effective ways to control fume and dust extraction, as they offer you the chance to target, capture, and remove the contaminants at the source.
Localising Capture Maximises Efficiency
One of the biggest advantages of hood and enclosure systems is their ability to capture airborne contaminants directly at their point of origin. Unlike more general ventilation systems, which sometimes dilute and distribute pollutants across a larger area, these systems create a controlled environment that contains and removes harmful particles before they spread. The result is that they are highly effective for industrial air quality control in sectors like manufacturing, welding, electronics, and pharmaceutical production, where risks can be identified and managed at source.
This is crucial for improving staff safety.
Airborne contaminants can lead to severe health problems, including respiratory conditions and long-term occupational illnesses. Dust and fume extraction systems that use hoods and enclosures are among the most effective ways to minimise workers’ exposure by effectively isolating hazardous particles. They contribute to a much safer, healthier workspace by reducing the volume of airborne pollutants.
It also helps you to comply with regulatory standards.
Industries that handle hazardous materials must adhere to strict workplace safety and environmental regulations. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces exposure limits for harmful substances. Making effective industrial air quality management non-negotiable. Specifically, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations dictate that employers need to conduct proper risk assessments and implement measures to prevent or control exposure. Simultaneously, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) regulations mandate that an enclosed workplace be ventilated with a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air. Hood and enclosure systems help businesses meet these legal requirements by ensuring that airborne contaminants are captured and filtered efficiently.
What Sets Hood and Enclosure Systems Apart?
Improved filtration and containment.
Compared to open extraction setups (which are ideal for many uses), enclosed systems provide more controlled containment, which reduces the chances of cross-contamination. If you’re dealing with fine metal particulates, solvent fumes, or chemical vapours, an enclosed hood system ensures that contaminants are directed into the filtration units before they have the chance to spread into the wider workplace. This not only boosts the efficiency of the extraction process but also extends the lifespan of filtration components by reducing any unnecessary exposure to ambient dust and fumes.
Above: A diagram displaying how hood and enclosure systems work.
Image Source: HSE
Increased energy efficiency.
Traditional ventilation systems require high airflow rates to manage airborne contaminants across a large space. For some businesses, this is unavoidable due to the nature of the work being conducted, but it does result in higher energy expenditure than you might see from a hood and enclosure system. This is because the latter operates with a more controlled airflow, which, in turn, means a lower volume of airflow that needs to be filtered and recirculated. The end result is lower energy use, which could reduce operational costs while still maintaining high industrial air quality standards.
Reduced maintenance requirements.
By containing contaminants within a designated space, hood and enclosure systems reduce the strain on wider ventilation networks and filtration systems. This minimises maintenance requirements, extending the service life of extraction equipment and reducing downtime. Enclosure fume and dust extraction systems also help to prevent the accumulation of debris on machinery and work surfaces, leading to cleaner production areas with less frequent cleaning needs.
Which Industries Can Benefit From Hood and Enclosure Systems?
There are numerous sectors that can make use of these systems for their fume extraction or dust extraction needs. Some of the more prominent industries are:
- Labs and research facilities to maintain contaminant-free environments for sensitive work.
- Pharmaceutical and chemical production to contain airborne powders and chemical vapours.
- Electronics manufacturing where they extract soldering fumes and fine particulates.
- Metalworking and welding where capturing hazardous welding fumes and metallic dust is crucial.
Find the Right Extraction System with VODEX
Effective dust and fume extraction systems are crucial if you want to maintain workplace safety, meet compliance regulations, and ensure smooth operations. At VODEX, we’ve got a comprehensive range of hood and enclosure systems that capture contaminants at source, improving your industrial air quality. The fume cabinets we provide make excellent use of this technology and have been widely used across a number of sectors, including education, healthcare, and lab settings
Our extensive industry expertise has allowed us to help businesses across multiple sectors create cleaner, safer work environments. You can browse our full range of products here or get in touch with our team for more specific guidance.
FAQs
Do hood and enclosure systems need a lot of maintenance?
As with all systems, this depends on usage. Generally speaking, the only maintenance required is filter replacement as needed.
Can hood and enclosure systems be retrofitted into existing facilities?
Yes, most work areas can accept an enclosure of some type, depending on the process and application. If you aren’t sure, then get in touch with us for more information.
Are hood and enclosure systems suitable for small-scale operations?
Yes. Hood and enclosure systems can usually be scaled to fit different needs, from large manufacturing facilities to smaller workspaces that deal with specific tasks like soldering or chemical processes.
What factors should I consider when choosing a hood and enclosure system?
Key factors might include the type of contaminants being extracted, as well as airflow requirements and workplace layout. The size, material and filtration system needs to align with your specific needs.
