The Benefits of Industrial Fans

Protecting warehouse operators not only involves making sure that the lift trucks are in good working order but also that the facility is maintained well enough to keep operators safe and prevent them from getting fatigued easily. One of the most effective ways to keep warehouses in ideal working condition is to install an industrial fan. This post reviews why industrial fans are useful, as well as the advantages and disadvantages to the different types of industrial fans.

An Industrial Fan is a Necessary Part of Any Warehouse

Why forklift fans are handy (in a nutshell)

Forklift fans provide the great service of distributing heat. Forklifts invariably increase heat levels in the warehouse; during the summertime, this can make it so that warehouses become almost unbearably hot. Meanwhile, in the winter, the heat just rises to the ceiling and warehouses stay overly cold. This is where industrial fans are so necessary; in the summer, they cool down the warehouse, while in the winter, they push down the heat and keep workers from getting too cold.

Industrial fans are also important because they replace contaminated air with clean air. There are many elements at work in the warehouse that make the air less than clean; these include chemicals, fumes, and dust, all of which can be hazardous. Industrial fans are, therefore, a necessary component in flushing out dirty air and bringing in clean air.

Axial fans and centrifugal industrial fans

The two main types of industrial fans are axial fans and centrifugal fans. They are very different and each poses clear advantages. Axial fans are the ones that are probably most familiar to people—they look like propellers and provide air directly through the fan. Axial fans typically hang on a wall or ceiling and are therefore not particularly well-suited to exhaust ventilation close to the forklift, as they don’t offer enough power to draw air through the system.

Centrifugal fans attract air into the center of the fan; they are very powerful and for this reason, they work well when positioned close to the lift truck. There are three types of centrifugal fans: forward curve (smaller blades), backward inclined (larger, heavier blades) and rugged radial ones (small, narrower blades.) Rugged radial blade centrifugal fans are among the most common centrifugal fans, as they are ideal for clearing out dust.

Industrial fans are one of the most effective ways to ensure that dangerous fumes are not circulating. In the end, whether you install an axial or a centrifugal fan (or both), industrial fans are a must for keeping workers safe and comfortable.