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How do Downdraft Tables work?

Downdraft Explained

Downdraft tables and downdraft benches are workbenches with a work-surface ventilation system designed to capture dust, smoke, particulate, odors, and/or fumes. The equipment draws air away from the material(s) being worked on, and most importantly, away from the breathing area of the equipment operator. They are usually designed with a perforated surface, and a ventilation system that draws the harmful smoke, dust, and fumes downward through the perforations and away from the atmosphere. This ventilation system passes the captured contaminants through an array of filtration medium, which ensures that the air exiting the equipment meets OSHA workplace safety regulations for air quality.

A Monumental Benefit

Modern downdraft tables are generally self-contained and can vent to the shop environment (if your Authority Having Jurisdiction – a.k.a. AHJ – allows) without requiring them to be vented outdoors. This makes placing a unit into a manufacturing facility or machine shop a relatively straightforward process.

Downdraft systems provide countless individuals and facilities with increased air safety and bring the operating conditions up to OSHA standards when applicable

OSHA Guidelines & General Compliance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government agency that regulates workplace safety by setting and enforcing a set of standards, providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. These standards are methods that employers must adhere to in order to maintain acceptable workplace safety for their employees. Employers must also comply with the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, which requires them to keep their workplace free of serious recognized hazards. In many cases, the typical solution is a downdraft system.

Per 1910.252(c)(1)(iii) of the OSHA regulations:

Local exhaust or general ventilating systems shall be provided and arranged to keep the amount of toxic fumes, gases, or dusts below the maximum allowable concentration as specified in 1910.1000.

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OSHA Section 1910.1000

Description

Occupational Safety and Health Standards Toxic and Hazardous Substances information

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OSHA Section 1910 Subpart Z1

Description

Occupational Safety and Health Standards TABLE Z-1 Limits for Air Contaminants.

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OSHA Section 1910 Subpart Z2

Description

Occupational Safety and Health Standards TABLE Z-2 Toxic and Hazardous Substances

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OSHA Section 1910 Subpart Z3

Description

Occupational Safety and Health Standards TABLE Z-3 Mineral Dusts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions about downdraft tables, downdraft benches, and general downdraft equipment. If you have a question that isn’t answered here or on this website, please contact us and we will be happy to provide an answer.

The individuals that use this equipment range from small machine shops to major manufacturing facilities. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re creating dust, particulate, smoke, aerosols, and/or offensive odors, you might want to take a look into this equipment and what the OSHA standards are, as you may be required to use it. Generally, if you wouldn’t want it directly in your lungs, you may want to invest in a downdraft system.

The workpiece is set on the downdraft table top, and the operator goes about their usual process while the downdraft equipment draws potentially dangerous, toxic, and carcinogenic particles, sparks, smoke, and fumes away from the operator – as well as the workplace.

Generally, downdraft tables are offered in a multitude of configurations, and are fairly modular in design. They can be configured to specifically fit your application in size, airflow, and filtration capability. One thing to be particularly focused on is choosing a unit that matches the air filtration requirements of your project. These requirements can vary depending on the media, particulate size, and the smoke and/or fumes being generated by your machining/finishing process.

Among the most commonly used filter mediums are pleated panel filters, activated carbon, air filter bags, HEPA filters, self-cleaning cartridge filters, and water filtration (used for combustible metals).

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