Air Exchange System Provides A Comfortable and Safe Working Environment At Felling Trailers
(SAUK CENTRE, MINNESOTA, MAY 14, 2012) – Felling Trailers Inc. strives to provide a comfortable and safe working environment. It was with this thought that it installed an extensive ventilation system in its manufacturing plant. Previously, Felling Trailers utilized an air purging system that purged welding fumes and the hottest air in the building (near the ceiling) outside via vents. This system caused an enormous amount of heat loss, especially in the winter months with Minnesota’s cold climate, which contributed to Fellings’ decision to invest in a more economical and efficient ventilation system.
The main ventilation system in Felling Trailers’ plant now contains three separate units with 250 electric horsepower combined. The first unit was installed in 2008 and subsequent systems were installed in 2009 and 2011, as part of plant expansions. KVA Engineering, air handling specialists located in Corcoran, MN installed all three of the main ventilation system units at Felling Trailers.
“Installing this air exchange system in our facilities was well worth it; there is a night and day difference,” said Doug Feela
Welding fumes are hot and hot air rises so the ventilation system is designed with high-efficiency exhaust fans to capture welding fumes and gases at their source and remove them so that they never enter the welders’ breathing zones. Use of welding guns also helps to extract fumes from the air. Ductwork is evenly distributed throughout the welding bays so the ventilation system pulls the fumes and hot air wherever a welder is working. Consequently, it keeps the air quality clear in the welding bays. Once the welding fumes and hot air is captured in the ductwork, it is transported about 3,000 feet per minute to the filter unit and fan. It filters through a high-efficiency cartridge filter with a 99.9% efficiency rate, which exceeds OSHA requirements for returning clean air back to the plant. After all of the air is cleaned, it is brought back through the ductwork to the welding bays. The highlight of the system is pulling 100% of the welding fumes out of the welding bay and exchanging the air within 10 minutes. As a result, this process keeps the air nice and clean, providing a cleaner work environment and better air quality for workers.
“Installing this air exchange system in our facilities was well worth it; there is a night and day difference,” said Doug Feela, maintenance team member at Felling Trailers.
Felling Trailers has a fabrication machine with a hood ventilation system and another machine with its own roof ventilation system. These machines and corresponding ventilation systems further promote a safer working environment.
Respirators are also available to employees and its proper use, storage, cleaning, and filter replacement is overseen by Felling Trailers’ safety coordinator. Additionally, routine training and respirator inspections occur on a yearly basis by an outside source.
KVA Engineering has over 35 years experience within all facets of process equipment, pneumatic conveying and dust collection design and installation. Their major areas of expertise include: pollution control equipment design and layout for new or existing plants; pneumatic conveying, dilute phase conveying of product; structural design for equipment installation; auto-CAD drawing capability; indoor pollution control equipment; industrial vacuum design and installation; size reduction equipment; spark detection and extinguishing systems; comprehensive plant ventilation design; and industrial equipment installation. KVA Engineering can provide certified engineering drawings to meet local and state codes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. KVA Engineering can also provide technical expertise in mechanical/structural engineering and can provide a complete turnkey project or assist your engineering staff with the correct selection of process equipment.
Felling Trailers is a Full Line Trailer Manufacturer located in Central Minnesota that was started in 1974 by Mr. Merle J. Felling. Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex that today covers over 132,000 square feet. Felling Trailers currently manufactures 3,000 plus trailers a year ranging from a 3,000 lb utility trailer to a 120,000 lb hydraulic gooseneck trailer, and its standard trailer line includes over 220 models. Felling’s pride and differentiation is its customized trailer division. Their engineers utilize the latest industry-leading design techniques along with their experienced metal craftsmen and cutting-edge technology to turn its customers’ conceptual trailer needs into a tangible product. Felling Trailers’ current capabilities allow them to provide a high-quality product that is distributed across North America and internationally. For more information, you can follow them on twitter (@FellingTrailers) or Facebook (Felling Trailers, Inc.).
