Large scale fume ventilation for Melbourne warehouse construction company

Case Study Overview

A large commercial builder in Melbourne approached RVT Group for help with the control and monitoring of diesel fume hazards inside a warehouse under construction.

The building under construction had reached the internal fit-out stage, where the workers were having to operate diesel machinery in a semi-enclosed area, creating the risk of diesel fume exposure. RVT Group provided two centrifugal fans to ventilate and supply fresh air to the work zones.

Challenge

Exposure to diesel particulate fumes can be damaging to the health of workers on site due to the very high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning — This is especially a challenge if the machinery is being operated indoors.

This site was partially enclosed and so there was a risk of fume build up inside the work zone. Hence the requirement for forced ventilation. This ventilation would need to feed fresh air into the work zone to dilute the contaminated air and to protect the health of the workers inside the building.

Solution

The 450S is a powerful Centrifugal fan, capable of a 20,400m3/hr airflow, making it able to provide high airflow through long duct runs. This makes it ideal for forced ventilation or extraction from confined areas such as basements, shafts, tunnels, and sewers.

Two of the 450S fans were placed onsite to assist in the ventilation of the area, along with a RAVEX Portable Multi-Gas Detection Unit. This detection unit was being used to monitor the diesel fumes and would alarm if the exposure risk reaches a hazardous level for the workers in the area.

The client was impressed with the efficient service and consultancy provided by RVT, along with the complete solution and monitoring package to address the health hazards on site.