Custom Ductwork Fabrication
Industrial ductwork is a complex configuration of custom air handling and exhaust systems for your facility. It is important that your ductwork is properly designed and fabricated to meet the demands of your facility and provide the comfort and safety for the people and your company. Understanding the importance of Industrial duct work and how it works with your facility is crucial to making the proper decisions when building, changing or updating your infrastructure.
The Importance of an Efficient Duct System
Business owners and facility managers are painfully aware of the cost of heating or cooling buildings. Adjusting the internal temperature of a building can save thousands of dollars each and every month. Part of this equation is directly affected by how your ductwork system is designed and installed. Improperly installing a system either oversized, undersized, or improperly routed will lessen the efficiency of the system. The design process becomes increasing important on larger buildings, with greater heating cooling and exhaust demands.
Poorly designed systems can also cause additional headaches when it come to maintenance and safety. Properly design systems will ensure proper airflow and filtering to reduce the buildup of dust or contaminates, end ensure your facility remains clean and safe.
Industrial Exhaust Ductwork
Many facilities require custom duct work to remove dust, particles, fumes, and other hazardous materials from one location to another. Depending on local code, some the ducts may exhaust outside but it also common for ducts to transport the material to collection bins or tanks.
Industrial ductwork can be constructed from many types of materials depending on the needs of the system. Common materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cold rolled steel among others. The size and shape of the ductwork can vary from 12″ or more in diameter to large conical or square ducts.
Design, Fabrication, and Installation
Because custom industrial ductwork is typically larger and more complex than traditional residential systems it’s important to work with a fabricator who has experience in the creation, transportation, and installation of the system. Industrial exhaust systems can sometimes require the on-site testing and review before the system is designed and fabricated to ensure it exceeds minimum standards for the designed application.
The design of these duct systems typically considers several factors that create a unique set of challenges for the design to resolve. This includes the calculations of the amount of air flow needed to transport the desired materials, the resistance of those materials and what safety concerns need to be considered. It’s also important to consider the additional need of the structural steel to support the weight and size of the industrial ductwork. Large installations can weigh several thousand pounds and can introduce safety hazards if improperly installed.
Just as it is important to ensure that the Industrial ductwork system is properly designed and installed it is essential to ensure the equipment is properly constructed and delivered to your site. Due to the complexity of the system most industrial duct systems are built off-site where heavy equipment is available to roll, bend, and weld the duct systems and supporting structures. The transportation and installation of the finished system, is just as critical to a properly designed and fabricated duct system. Part of the design of the system should factor in the ability to deliver to your location in a safe and cost effective manner.
Swanton Welding has decades of experience providing duct systems of all shapes and sizes and can provide custom ductwork design, fabrication, and delivery for your facility. Swanton Welding also has the capacity to complete all aspects of an industrial duct system, including any additional structural steel components to support the duct system. If you would like any more information on our capabilities please contact us.
