A Guide to Buying Industrial Fans

15 Apr.,2024

 

Have you been thinking about buying industrial fans to keep people and things cool and comfortable? Industrial fans are larger in diameter than most fans and they also tend to have very large and long blades. Because of their larger size, they have quite powerful motors.

Finding the Right Size

Size-wise, most industrial fans range between 56 and 74 inches in diameter, though the really large ones could stretch up to 24 feet! If you’re buying fans for a warehouse, fabrication shop, hangar or other industrial setting, you’ll have to decide on what size(s) you want. If you’ve got a room/space less than 350 square feet, then an industrial fan that’s between 52 and 56 inches in diameter makes sense. For rooms/spaces larger than 350 feet, go with fans that are 60 inches in diameter. When you install more than one fan in a room/space, make sure they’re spaced out properly, keeping them at an equal distance from one another so they don’t hit each other.

Factoring in Location

When buying industrial fans, you have to consider where they’ll end up. Are they going to be in a space with a lot of people under them or not? The more people in a room, the warmer it gets so the more fans you might need. Fans help move cool air from the ceiling down to the room where people are present. You also need to think about what is taking place at floor level. What kind of work is going on? Is it the kind of work that generates a lot of heat? If so, fans are vital. Industrial fans can help move/get rid of fumes and heat as needed.

Mounting Options

Fans get mounted and so you can choose ones with short rods (so they’re close to the ceiling) or longer rods, so they hang down closer to the ground. Fans with longer rods generally have an easier time circulating air. You’ll also want to consider airflow rating and CFM (cubic feet per minute). In order to discover the proper airflow for a room, you can divide the size of the room in cubic feet by the CFM of the fan(s) you’re buying to know how well your fan(s) will work in that room. Ideally, you want it to be able to circulate air within 5 minutes so the air in the room doesn’t become too hot or stagnant.

Wind Speed

Finally, there’s wind speed, which is how fast the fan moves air down to the ground. In certain areas, you wouldn’t want a fast fan because you don’t want things like papers blowing around the room. However, if it’s a room with machinery that gives off heat and fumes, then a fast wind speed sounds good.

Would you like to learn more about industrial fans? Dynamic Fan has helped countless clients by installing, maintaining and helping them select the right industrial fan for their needs. If you have any general or specific questions, call Dynamic Fan of Pine Brook, New Jersey at 973-244-2422.

Many factors are involved in selecting the right industrial fan for your process. Your decision depends on much more than price alone. Does your application require high or low airflow? What will the pressure level be? Are there an environmental challenges that will need to be addressed? Keep in mind that an industrial fan that is selected to meet your specific application needs will be the most cost-effective option for your bottom line.

When it comes to fan specification, the proper choice is influenced by the type of air movement needed, whether for cooling, exhausting, aerating, ventilating or drying. As all of the factors are assessed, maximum efficiency and reliability of both the fan and the equipment involved can be achieved.

Based on our experience as an experienced industrial fan specialist, we have identified 10 basic fan selection steps to guide you in choosing the best fan for your application needs:

  1. Type of Fan
    All fans do not operate in the same way. Axial fans draw air in using a propeller, and discharge air in the same direction. Centrifugal fans have a wheel that draws air into the housing and discharges it out at 90°. Your first step should be to determine the type of air movement and fan type you need.
  2. Ducting
    Earlier in the design process, ducting should be considered for performance and efficiency. This will influence the final design in terms of overall cost, the compactness of the fan, and the operational costs.
  3. Total Airflow
    Airflow is rated in cubic feet of air per minute (CFM). When conveying material, make sure there is adequate CFM for the duct pipe or hose size.
  4. Static Pressure
    The resistance to the airflow, or static pressure, is caused by air moving through the pipe, hose, duct, filter, and other factors. Static pressure is rated in inches of water gauge (SPWG).
  5. Density
    Density changes resulting from temperature and/or barometric pressure variations should be corrected to standard conditions.
  6. Air Temperature
    The temperature of the air going through the fan or blower will affect the performance of the fan or blower.
  7. Altitude
    The altitude at which the fan or blower will be operating also impacts the performance of the fan or blower.
  8. Material Handling
    If material will be conveyed through the fan or blower, the material characteristics should be considered.
  9. Ambient Temperature
    The temperature of the air outside the fan or blower, or ambient temperature, can affect the operation of fan or blower.
  10. Safety Conditions
    Special accommodations may be required if any material going through the blower is flammable or combustible.

If you are in need of guidance in the industrial fan selection process, we would be happy to assist. Contact the specialists at Air Solutions to discuss your fan selection questions.

A Guide to Buying Industrial Fans

Steps to Selecting the Right Industrial Fan