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What is a Downdraft Table?
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 Large 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.
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.
Point Blank
These downdraft tables aid in the protection of workers from harmful, and possibly carcinogenic, contaminants that could be released during finishing work such as sanding, grinding, deburring, and/or welding.
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