How To Select the Right Industrial Vacuum
How To Select the Right Industrial Vacuum
Vacuum cleaners for industrial use are powerful, durable, heavy-duty machines built to handle even the most challenging cleaning and maintenance jobs. From lifting and cleaning up light to heavy loads, wet or dry materials, solid particles, or spilled liquid, there’s an industrial vacuum for every job. The question is, which vacuum do I need? We’ve compiled the information needed to help you choose the right industrial vacuum cleaner for your needs. Start with the questions below then visit our full Industrial Vacuum Buying Guide here.
What Will the Industrial Vacuum Be Used For?
A vacuum’s performance and customer satisfaction are best when it’s matched with the specific application. There’s a lot of detail in every application, the better you can answer the following questions, the easier it will be to make a decision and maximize the performance of the vacuum. Knowing your environment can also help you decide which vacuum cleaner is right for you. What kind of air supply do you have? What kind of particles do you have? How flammable are they? This information will not only help you make smarter cleaning decisions, but you’ll also avoid major work injuries.
One of the biggest factors in determining which industrial vacuum is right is the material you will be collecting. We’ve outlined several options below:
- Scrap metal
- Metal chips
- Coolant
- Floodwater
- Dust
- Debris
- Paint powder
- Flour and spices
- Food particles
- Sawdust
What Filtrations Systems Do You Need?
Filters are one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to industrial vacuums. These are part of the filtration system that begins when your vacuum captures smaller particles and moves them through the airstream. To clean the facility of contaminants, it may be necessary to use a standard HEPA or ULPA filter, depending on your environment.
What is a HEPA Filter Anyway?
OSHA defines a HEPA filter as one that removes particles that are at least 0.3 micrometers in diameter at a 99.97% efficiency. This is smaller than a coffee grind, a grain of cayenne pepper, and even a dot, which is about 615 micrometers. Airborne particles, like dust mites and other microscopic particles, can cause health problems if they aren’t captured by HEPA filters. If a facility is to be properly cleaned, strict guidelines must be adhered to – that is when a HEPA filter vacuum is the best option.
Check out our HEPA Filter Buying Guide.
How Much Power Does Your Industrial Vacuum Need?
Many people assume the vacuum’s power can be determined by only looking at the motor’s horsepower when looking for a high-performance, heavy-duty industrial vacuum cleaner. You shouldn’t just limit the power of an industrial vacuum to suction. There are several other factors that determine how well a vacuum lifts:
- To begin with, if your application requires picking up dry materials, the vacuum’s airflow is by far the most important factor to consider.
There is a force that pulls and collects particles inside the vacuum, measured by cubic feet per minute (CFM). A higher CFM of airflow, for example, means you can pick up more fine powders like flour or dust.
- The static lift of the vacuum is more important than the CFM rating because it’s directly related to the power of the airflow.
High lift vacuums, for example, are made for lifting liquids or heavy metals. It’s the static lift that allows industrial vacuum cleaners to lift liquids of low density like water, so when suctioning these substances, the higher the lift, the lower the CFM.
Next Steps:
Click to visit our industrial vacuum cleaner buying guide to find your perfect vacuum.
Interested in HEPA vacuumed? Check out our Industrial HEPA Vacuum Buying Guide.
