Fans Blowin’ Up a Storm

Fans and blowers are the workhorses of building mechanical systems. But while they may not exactly be the most glamorous equipment, surprisingly, this equipment is often the focus of continuing research and development. Presented here are not only some recent innovations in fan and blower products, but also some useful new specifying tools for fans and blowers.

By Staff April 1, 2004

Fans and blowers are the workhorses of building mechanical systems. But while they may not exactly be the most glamorous equipment, surprisingly, this equipment is often the focus of continuing research and development. Presented here are not only some recent innovations in fan and blower products, but also some useful new specifying tools for fans and blowers.

Centrifugal fan is available in diameters from 12-24-in. and capacities up to 4,000 cfm. It employs a backward-curved airfoil impeller to improve performance and sound characteristics. Custom designs and all-aluminum construction are available. (TID In-Line by Continental Fan)

Air circulator now features a highly polished cast aluminum airfoil propeller, which contributes toward high efficiency, low noise levels and self-cleaning. Available motors include three-speed, 115-volts, oscillating and non-oscillating and single-speed, three-phase explosion-proof motors. (Heavy Duty by Airmaster)

Centrifugal roof ventilator is designed for roof- or wall-mounted exhaust for kitchen applications in commercial or industrial buildings and features a fully welded aluminum housing and drain spout to direct grease to the collector and eliminate leakage onto the roof. Its welded curb cap corners prevent water entry into open ducts or the building itself. (Upblast by Emerson Climate)

Catalog provides specifications and performance statistics on a plenum fan that is designed for un-housed operation within a pressurized plenum. The fan uses 12 airfoil blades, instead of the traditional nine, and the additional blades are said to improve overall sound quality by reducing low-octave band tones and providing a “flat” sound spectrum that is easier to muffle. (QEP by Greenheck)

Fan can be hung as a ceiling fan or used as a vertical fan, or positioned at any angle. The unit can move a breeze up to 100 ft. and reduce temperature by 8-10°. (Little Ass Fan by Big Ass)

Blower housings are intended for blower wheels ranging from three to 11 in. The housings, designed primarily for HVAC applications, are fabricated from aluminized steel for corrosion resistance, eliminating the need for painting. (by Beckett Air)

Single inlet units feature aluminum backward-curved wheels and matching steel and aluminum inlet cones and are available in multiple bore sizes. They are intended for plug or plenum, belt-drive and direct-drive applications. (by Lau Industries)

Fan and blower selector program includes information for square inline centrifugal fans; louvered penthouse supply fans; fiberglass centrifugal wall and roof ventilators; fiberglass gravity relief and intake ventilators; and ceiling and inline/cabinet ventilators. An updated help section and quick selector user interface are two enhancements to the software. (Fan Selector Program and Catalog Ver. 7.7 by Twin City Fans and Blowers)