Client Overview
An engineering company based in Derbyshire contacted us after their existing flexible extraction arms failed to provide effective fume control for their welding processes. The system had been poorly designed with undersized ducting and an inadequate extraction fan, resulting in capture and duct velocities falling below the minimum levels specified in HSG258 Controlling Airborne Contaminants at Work.
Our Solution
Impact proposed to remove the existing ducted system and re-use the two flexible extraction arms by connecting them to a correctly sized ducted system. These arms now serve as local extraction above the welding benches for smaller tasks.
For the larger, continuous welding processes typically carried out in the centre of the workshop, we supplied and installed an LE4000 pivotal extraction arm. This versatile arm offers full adjustability with both horizontal and vertical pivot points plus a 360° rotating console, enabling the hood to be easily positioned close to the fume source in vertical, diagonal, or horizontal orientations.
The LE4000 extraction arm was fitted with a 1500mm x 300mm aluminium hood incorporating Impact’s V-baffle design. This provides concentrated, even airflow across the entire hood, specifically tailored for large welding areas, reducing the need for constant repositioning compared to traditional welding hoods.
A centralised ducted system was also installed, connecting the two 160mm diameter flexible arms and the new LE4000 pivotal arm using spirally wound circular hot-dip galvanised steel ductwork.
The Result
The new welding fume extraction system provides effective control of fumes across both small and large welding tasks, ensuring compliance with HSG258 and improving operator comfort.
Testimonial
“I would like to say a massive thank you to the engineers who came to fit the new extraction in our workshop,” says the Operations Manager. “The guys were very professional and did a great job. They are a credit to your company. It was done with minimal disruption, and we’re really pleased with it. From the start, when we met with your LEV Design Engineer, to the finish, it was a pleasure working with Impact.”
Find out more about our welding fume extraction solutions here.