Whether designing a new automotive
or truck repair shop,
or refurbishing an existing
one, ventilation is always a
concern, says Bruce Martin,
sales manager, Plymovent Corp.
Heating units, air conditioning,
general ventilation exhaust fans,
garage doors and air curtains at
the doors all “have a large impact
on operational cost and employee
health and safety,” he says.
“An often overlooked component
is a source capture vehicle exhaust
removal system, such as those
offered by Plymovent,” Martin says.
Plymovent (www.plymovent.com),
an ISO 9001:2008 worldwide
manufacturer of vehicle exhaust
removal systems for various
sectors, such as indoor fleet maintenance
shops, military facilities,
automobile plants and more.
While some facilities look upon
these systems as simply a cost
to be endured, a well-designed
system can provide numerous
benefits to both the owner and
employees. Among them, reduced:
• Employee absenteeism.
• Worker compensation claims.
• Energy consumption from losing
conditioned air by using overhead
doors to ventilate a shop.
• Maintenance costs of
cleaning, painting, etc.
Safely Dissolve
Grease and Oils
on Most Everything
ti6-53"w$PODFOUSBUFE
t#JPEFHSBEBCMF
t/PO$PSSPTJWF
t/PO5PYJD
call 1-800-528-0334
or visit
www.oileater.com
For FREE sample visit http://tiny.cc/oileater
26 Fleet Maintenance | JULY 2017
VEHICLE EXHAUST
It is well documented that gasoline
exhaust fumes contain numerous
hazardous chemicals, such as
formaldehyde, benzene, acetaldehyde
and particulate organic
matter, as well as carbon monoxide,
Plymovent’s Martin notes. The World
Health Organization considers
diesel exhaust a Group 1 carcinogen
– meaning it has cancer-causing
potential to humans, and it has no
acceptable exposure limit, according
to the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health.
“The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration’s hazard
statement calls for tailpipe connected
hose systems to fully
capture and remove all exhaust
fumes, along with a suitable general
ventilation system with intake
and exhaust fans,” says Martin.
SYSTEM OPTIONS
Exhaust systems come in
many different forms, but are
generally categorized as overhead
or in-ground systems.
Overhead systems can use hose
drops, fixed extractors, hose reels
or rail systems, all connected via
galvanized steel ductwork installed
at the building roof support level,
with a fan either inside or out on the
roof, explains Plymovent’s Martin.
All of the equipment is surface
mounted inside the building enclosure
and is accessible as needed
for service and maintenance.
Martin goes on to say that in-ground
systems route PVC ductwork below
the floor slab and the hoses are
accessed via ports cast into the
concrete floor. These systems
require a sump pit to capture any
shop liquids which find their way
into the hose access ports and
ductwork. Any liquid captured must
be treated and removed as hazardous
waste due to the possibility of
oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze,
etc., being present in the leachate.
Both systems use an exhaust fan to
provide suction to move the vehicle
exhaust fumes from the tailpipe
through the hoses and ductwork.
All fans should be built to Air
Movement and Control Association’s
Type B spark resistant construction
standards, advises Martin.
Depending on building design and
customer preference, the fan can
be located indoors or outside on
the roof or side wall of the building.
EXHAUST VOLUMES
A shop’s required exhaust volume
depends on the vehicle and engine
size being serviced. Generally, for
automobiles in a typical automotive
repair garage, the recommended
volume is 250 to 300 cfm through
a 4” hose, Plymovent’s Martin
says. Exhaust volumes can go
up to 700 to 750 cfm through
6” hoses for larger trucks.
“Experience has taught me that
there is no hard and fast exhaust
volume needed because every
facility and shop is different,” he
says. “This is where your product
supplier comes into play, as he or
she can make recommendations
based on what you and your technicians
actually do in your shop.”
» Vehicle exhaust removal systems,
like source capture systems, help
maintain clear air – free of hazardous
chemicals present in vehicle engine
emissions – inside a vehicle shop.
Photo courtesy of Plymovent
Ventilation And Shop Design
VehicleServicePros.com/10094365
Cleaner Degreaser
DON'T GET CAUGHT WITH AN
EXPLOSIVE PROBLEM
OUTSTANDING SENSITIVITY, QUALITY AND AFFORDABILITY IN A
PORTABLE GAS LEAK DETECTOR
CERTIFIED INTRINSICALLY SAFE
LEAK DETECTION FOR COMBUSTIVE
VE
AND EXPLOSIVE GASES
PERFECT
FOR FINDING
LEAKS IN: CNG VEHICLES PROPANE TANKS
ACETYLENE
ENE
WELDING TANKS
TO LEARN MORE,
SCAN QR CODE OR VISIT:
WWW.TRACERLINE.COM
2D
BATTERIES
INCLUDED
SIT:M
VehicleServicePros.com/10095352
TP-9363
Pro-Chek CG
COMBUSTIBLE
GAS LEAK DETECTOR