Fume extraction system helps rail welding operatives
Two bespoke fume extraction systems using TEKA extraction equipment with four specially designed hoods from Flextraction Ltd, suppliers and manufacturers of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) products is helping Network Rail in Bristol to train and certify future operatives in the techniques of aluminothermic welding, as well as Manual Metal Arc (MMA) and semi automatic and automatic flux cored arc welding (FCAW) techniques as used in rail welding operations.
The system ordered by Track Line Contracts Ltd, a Network Rail contractor, was specially designed for aluminothermic welding. It comprised a TEKA Filtercube 4H filter module with a 100m2 filter area and which is designed as a central suction unit for several welding points. It extracts polluted air using a ventilator to a filtering section; here any toxic particles are deposited on the surface of filter cartridges, which are de-dusted automatically using compressed air. The toxic particles are then collected in a tank and clean air is recycled to the workplace.
Lee Janczysyn, Training Delivery Specialist (Welding and NDT) said: “Network Rail uses MMA and semi automatic and automatic FCAW techniques, in addition to aluminothermic welding. Both Flextraction systems are used for training purposes and the system for aluminothermic welder training has been very good, easily removing the fumes, whilst the spark box extinguishes all sparks before going through the filtration system. This system was installed in a building that was already constructed, so there were some constraints to its location, which were overcome.”
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