Portable Units

Portable extraction units are machines designed to extract particles and fumes, made mobile for more convenience. Many industries produce large amounts of dust, debris, smoke, and vapours as an unavoidable by-product of their manufacturing processes. These can be harmful to workers if they breathe these pollutants in, which is why it’s necessary to extract them from the air.

Large permanent workplaces such as factories will usually have a fixed extraction system set up. However, smaller workshops or warehouses or travelling tradespeople can benefit from a moveable extraction unit. Having a portable dust extractor enables you to complete work anywhere and remove harmful particulates at the source, simply by bringing the extractor with you and setting it up wherever you’re carrying out the work.

A portable extractor fan is an invaluable addition to any environment where potentially toxic substances are regularly produced. Providing a breathable atmosphere with adequate ventilation is required by law, so you must ensure that you use an extraction unit suitable for the situation. If you select a portable extractor, it must be able to filter the particular class of dust or gas you intend it to remove from its surroundings.

When natural ventilation is inadequate to maintain safely breathable air, an extraction unit must do the work instead to improve the air quality. All extraction systems, not just portable extraction units, do this in mostly the same way. They draw the harmful particles from the air through suction, pass them through layers of filters, then blow the clean filtered air back out into the space.

The filters capture and separate the pollutants, collecting them in a bag or waste tray that can be safely removed for disposal later. Many extractors have a self-cleaning function built in to keep them running for longer. It’s important to choose a portable dust extractor with the correct filters for the job, as these can vary according to the types and concentrations of particles they’re able to capture.

Most extraction units are straightforward ‘plug and play’ equipment, meaning you simply set them up where you want them to be and then switch them on. The only real difference between stationary or free-standing units and portable extractor fans is that the latter are specifically designed to be easy to move around. These versions are smaller and usually come with handles and/or wheels, sometimes in a trolley, allowing you the freedom to deploy the extractor wherever and whenever you like.

Extraction units are a necessity to protect the health of people, machinery, and the surrounding environment. Businesses that produce pollutants have a responsibility to remove them before they can cause any damage and dispose of them properly. There are many benefits to using extractors, especially portable extraction units, which can improve your entire business.

Firstly, working conditions are closely regulated by the government, and the Health and Safety Executive office can issue fines for failing to comply. Implementing a portable dust extractor that adheres to the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) requirements keeps your workers safe and prevents your business from being potentially shut down for malpractice.

Secondly, healthy workers are happier and more productive. Having a clean environment without offensive odours or clouds of dust is a basic need, but it still boosts employee morale. In turn, this can improve the quality of the product, speed up manufacturing times, and increase employee retention – saving you money in the long-term.

Thirdly, portable extractor fans enhance overall safety and longevity of the workspace and equipment. Preventing dust from building up or gases from becoming too concentrated reduces the risk of fire or explosions. Equally, they prevent these pollutants from clogging up machinery, improving its lifespan and reducing downtime for maintenance. Dust collection also significantly reduces cleaning requirements, again lowering costs.

In confined spaces where large quantities of dust or vapours are generated every day, an effective air filtration and ventilation system must be installed. Working in such an environment without this equipment, and allowing these pollutants to build up to dangerous levels, is extremely hazardous to health. This is why the Health and Safety Executive body enforces appropriate dust collection for businesses in the UK, regulating the use of extraction systems.

There are many types of particulate matter that both static and portable extraction units can collect. The types of dust are categorised by Low, Medium, or High classes, so any extractor you use must be able to efficiently filter the class of dust you’re producing. H Class dusts include carcinogenic materials, so it’s vital that your extraction unit has the appropriate filtration system to contain these dusts safely. They can also be used to extract and filter bacteria and mould spores.

From wood to plastic, food processing to pharmaceuticals, manufacturing products can create more dust than you might think. Whether it’s soldering, welding, or using solvents, there’s also often a risk of inhaling toxic fumes. In addition to other safety regulations for your specific industry, you cannot overlook the need for an extraction system. If it’s more convenient to apply this equipment at the source and work areas often change, a portable dust extractor is a worthwhile investment.

Choosing the best portable extractor fan for your circumstances depends on a range of factors. You always need to take into account the configuration of your workspace, how many people will be working in it, the nature of your manufacturing activities, and the contaminates they generate. If there’s an existing ventilation system in the building, this can also affect your options.

If you’d like a simple portable extraction unit which can stand, hang, or clamp in one place until you need to move it, consider these models:

• AFS500 Free-mounting Unit
• AirCube 500
• Darwin 3000
• FumeCube
• MiniFil Smoke Extraction Unit
• Mini M.E. Electronic Mini Mist Eliminator

Or, if you’d prefer a portable dust extractor with wheels on the base for ease of movement, take a look at these designs:

• CT-502H Metal Dust Extractor
• CT90-H Extractor
• Dusty High Vacuum Filter Unit

Should you require the addition of an extraction arm to position over a specific area and extract particulates directly from the source, these versions offer this option:

• Filter-Master XL Fume Extraction Unit
• MaxiFil Extraction Unit
• MaxiFil Clean Welding Smoke Filter Unit
• ProfiMaster Welding Smoke Filter Unit
• SmartMaster Extraction Unit

When it comes to portable dust extractors, one of the most common types for small jobs in changing areas is a vacuum. Some are useful for more hazardous dust classes. Similar to a vacuum for domestic cleaning, these models come with various head attachments, and allow you to hoover up dust particles by directing the nozzle at them:

• Cleantec CT26 Autoclean Hi Vac
• HZ350 High Vacuum Hazardous Dust Unit
• HZ750-2 High Vacuum Haz-Dust Unit

For industries involving woodworking or sanding, a downdraught bench combines the filtration system into the workstation itself. Though the bench is non-slip and less easy to move around than a small portable extraction unit, you can still move it if you need to rearrange the layout of the space. In these systems, dust is drawn through grommets in the work surface and filtered into a tray below:

• FT 1000 Downdraught Bench
• FT 1600 Downdraught Bench

Alternatively, if you simply need a portable extractor fan with a handle for easy lifting, you could opt for a Welding Smoke Exhaust Fan in Large (L) or Extra Large (XL) sizes.

Browse the full selection of portable extraction units available from Defuma below, and click through to the product pages for full specifications. Remember to always check that the filters and capacity are compatible with your needs, especially for H Class contaminates.