Industrial Garage Fans are Built for Speed and Built to Last

An industrial garage fan is built to optimize cooling, drying, ventilation and cleaning. These heavy duty fans are built with heavier gauge metals, superior bearings and longer lasting motors, compared to commercial and lighter duty models. Industrial garage fans can achieve higher air flow volumes and greater velocities, making them appropriate for more demanding settings. This includes worksites where excessive water, heat, humidity and other hazards may be present.

Choosing an Industrial Garage Fan

When choosing the ideal fan, be sure to consider performance numbers and features, such as:

1. Airflow velocity – Airflow velocity refers to the speed of the air leaving the fan. It’s a particularly important number for drying, as faster velocities mean more air is pushed over wet surfaces. Industrial garage fans achieve some of the highest airflow velocities, and many can output 2500 fpm (feet per minute) or more.

2. Airflow volume – Airflow volume is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm) and is important for both drying and cooling. It refers to the amount of air the fan can push out every minute, so greater numbers mean more air for controlling moisture or heat.

Airflow velocity and airflow volume vary independently of one another, so some fans offer high speeds and lower volumes, while others push out a lot of volume, but at lower speeds.

3. Speed control – Ideally, an industrial garage fan would come with multiple speeds, as higher velocities are not always desirable. While high speed operation is typically preferred for drying and better cooling, it consumes more power. On some worksites, a lower speed setting can provide efficient and adequate drying and air flow.

4. Portability – Some industrial garage fans are designed to be mounted, but many industries require their fans to be portable. A portable fan is more versatile and can go exactly where cooling, drying and ventilation is needed. Even among portable industrial fans, though, some are easier to move and aim than others, and some are stackable, which makes them much easier to store, transport and arrange at the job site. Stackable fans are convenient for drying damaged structures, as they can be paired together for improved airflow.

5. Power features – Advanced power controls should be standard, for both efficiency and safety reasons. An extended power cord is a must, as well as some form of cord management to keep everything organized. An onboard circuit breaker is also valuable, as it keeps the fan safe from damage and reduces trips to the junction box. Some industrial fans also come with a duplex outlet, so additional fans can be daisy chained for even easier power management. This may be critical in buildings where access to power is minimal.

Most importantly, the fan should be built with ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, technology. A GFCI acts quickly to shut off power, in the event that an imbalance is detected between the incoming and outgoing current. It is essential for worksites where the fan’s circuitry could come in contact with water. The GFCI prevents any resulting electrical shock from such an occurrence, and can therefore save a life.

6. Durable construction – Industrial fans are purpose-built, and especially those that are designed to be around water and chemical hazards. These fans are typically made with stainless steel and high quality, lightweight polymers. The polymer housing not only keeps weight down (and portability up), it also protects the fan from corrosion and chemical attack. It also makes for easier cleaning, as the fan can be washed and rinsed off as needed.

Axial versus Centrifugal Fans

Industrial fans are designed with either axial or centrifugal technology, and they behave differently. Each is better suited for different settings and purposes, though modern engineering has enhanced their versatility. Here’s a brief look at both:

• Axial fans – Axial fans are easy to spot, as they are built with the same spinning blade technology that’s been around for more than a century. Axial fans are better at pushing high volumes of air, but typically do so at lower speeds and pressures. This makes them ideal for general purpose cooling and ventilation, especially in larger spaces.

Some axial fans, though, can operate at speeds comparable to centrifugal fans. These fans are prized for their drying potential, as they combine high velocity and high volume.

• Centrifugal fans – Centrifugal fans take in air and speed it up using a fan wheel. This allows the fans to output a directed stream of high speed, high pressure airflow.

This makes centrifugal fans the first choice for most water restoration professionals. Because they can be aimed with greater precision, centrifugal fans can be targeted at areas where moisture is likely to collect, such as a room’s corners.

Industrial garage fans are the workhorses in any drying, cooling or ventilation effort. They reliably deliver high volumes of air, in a safe and durable package.