How to Choose an Industrial Vacuum Cleaner
Industrial vacuum cleaners are engineered to remove a variety of materials from workplaces and environments. From oil slicks to metal shavings, and from flammable dust to hazardous liquids, the range of materials they can handle is vast.
Using an industrial vacuum in housekeeping routines not only increases safety and efficiency but also saves companies money through reduced cleaning costs and production interruptions due to manual cleaning. Choosing the right vacuum configuration is therefore crucial.
Durability
The durability of an industrial vacuum cleaner relates to its ability to withstand the harsh environment in which it operates and resist normal wear and tear. This is particularly important because a machine that requires frequent repairs or replacement will reduce efficiency and increase costs. It is therefore crucial to find a durable model that can meet the needs of your business.
To achieve this, look for models that are made from durable materials such as metals or robust plastics. Additionally, consider whether the design is ergonomically oriented to reduce physical stress on users. This can help to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, which in turn leads to reduced downtime and greater productivity.
Aside from assessing the power, airflow and filtration systems of an industrial vacuum cleaner, it is also important to consider industrial vacuum cleaner its drum capacity and mobility. The former will determine the amount of debris it can hold before needing to be emptied, and the latter will influence how easily it can be manoeuvred around the workspace.
Moreover, the use of an industrial vacuum cleaner can significantly mitigate workplace hazards. This includes reducing the risk of fires by removing combustible dust from facilities, and reducing respiratory health risks through effective contaminant removal. In addition, many of these machines are specifically designed to adapt to the various surfaces and cleaning requirements found in industrial settings, including elevated spaces.
Efficiency
When it comes to industrial vacuum cleaners, efficiency is key. They are designed to be able to handle heavy debris, liquids and other hazardous materials without losing suction or damaging the motor unit. They are also equipped with a variety of filtration systems that allow them to capture fine dust and prevent it from being released back into the air, which is vital in keeping workers healthy and safe.
The basic operation of an industrial vacuum cleaner involves using alternating current power to generate negative pressure within the collection pipe. This forces air and particle matter through a series of filters before being trapped and deposited into a storage space. This is how the system can pick up and handle a wide range of material, from small particles to heavy materials like metal chips.
Using an industrial vacuum system reduces the amount of time it takes for cleaning operations to be completed, which can significantly improve operational efficiency and productivity. This is particularly important when it comes to minimizing downtime on production lines.
Industrial vacuum cleaners can also help businesses meet environmental standards and minimize their carbon footprint. They can be fitted with energy-efficient features, such as low profile designs and optimized sealing properties, which reduces air consumption and saves energy costs. They can also be monitored with energy monitoring tools, allowing operators to identify opportunities for savings and optimize their performance.
Manoeuvrability
While manoeuvrability is often overlooked by industrial users, it can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your machine. A system that’s too bulky to fit into smaller spaces or navigate stairs can be ineffective at cleaning and cause safety issues.
Choosing a commercial vacuum cleaner that’s designed for your environment can help you find the right balance between manoeuvrability and cleaning power. For example, SpaceVac’s lightweight backpack-style machines offer easy transportation and our larger systems feature high-quality swivel wheels to make transport quick and simple.
Our three-phase industrial vacuum cleaners are the ideal choice for heavy and continuous work, and are available with powerful side channel turbine motors ranging from 3 HP up to 25 HP. These engines are made of cast aluminium and are fitted without transmission systems, eliminating any wear and tear and reducing maintenance requirements. They’re also ATEX-certified for use in hazardous areas.
Portable heavy-duty industrial vacuum cleaners eliminate the need for workers to enter permit-only confined spaces to clean accumulations of combustible dusts such as those found in grain elevator pits and blast industrial vacuum cleaner wholesale recovery systems, significantly lowering risks for fall, overexertion and fume inhalation. They can also be used to vacuum materials in non-permit confined spaces, including sludge from process equipment and tanks. This type of outside cleaning reduces costs and labour time, as well as reducing health and safety risks and supporting compliance with OSHA and NFPA guidelines.
Ease of Use
An industrial vacuum cleaner’s performance depends on how easily it can be maintained. Regular maintenance tasks such as checking the filter for blockages, emptying collections bags or tanks, and inspecting belts and other moving parts keep the machine operating at peak efficiency. Choosing a model with easy access to filters and attachments also reduces cleaning time and minimises downtime due to repairs.
When selecting an industrial vacuum cleaner, consider your space and the types of materials you’ll be working with. For example, if you need to suction metal shavings or other fine dust, a backpack-style system with a lightweight design enhances manoeuvrability. If you have a larger workspace, an upright or central system is more suitable.
In the manufacturing industry, an industrial vacuum cleaner can be inserted into machinery or directly into production processes to remove waste and prevent cross-contamination. Vacuum cleaners are also used in warehousing and logistics to keep storage areas clean and prevent damage to stored materials.
The pharmaceutical and chemical industries use industrial vacuum cleaners to ensure the work environment is safe, particularly when working with powders or chemicals that are dangerous to inhale. For these applications, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are available. These reduce the risk of contamination of the final product and the health of pharmaceutical and chemical workers.