2024 update
If you think a standard vacuum cleaner or shop vacuum is good enough to adequately clean many commercial spaces or specialty environments, you need to think again. That is the job of an industrial vacuum cleaner.
What is an industrial vacuum cleaner, you ask? You have come to the right place. In this post, we will discuss everything you need to know about industrial vacuum cleaners, from the basics to what environments they are best suited for. Read on to learn more:
What is an industrial vacuum cleaner?
When you hear the word “industrial” in the context of equipment, “heavy duty” is a term that comes to mind. And that is a great way to think of industrial vacuums. They are heavy-duty, built to last and purposefully designed to clean in demanding environments.
It all starts with their design. Industrial vacuum cleaners are typically made of solid steel – not the plastic that many residential vacuums are constructed from. And fittingly so. Unlike residential vacuum cleaners, industrial cleaners are not just designed to remove dust, dirt, and debris, but industrial waste, construction refuse and more.
Some industrial vacuum cleaners have a turbine that lasts up to 10,000 working hours, even if used constantly. This makes them more durable and efficient, especially for tough jobs.
Industrial vacuums need to be able to clean in a safe and effective manner. They work effectively by creating significant suction to remove even the most deeply embedded contaminants. And they promote safety by being able to remove contaminants that other vacuums cannot. We will get into more of this in the next section.
The differences between industrial and commercial vacuum cleaners
We have already talked about how their heavy-duty build and suction efficiency separates an industrial vacuum cleaner from a commercial model, but there are plenty of other features that differentiate the two types of styles as well. Here is a closer look at some of the key advantages of industrial vacuum cleaners:
- Increased productivity and efficiency
If you think the various attachments that traditional vacuum cleaners can be outfitted with are something, you have not seen anything. Industrial vacuums can be used with more than just hose extenders and scrub brushes, but with electrical and pneumatic-powered tools like sanders, drills, cutting blades and more. These tools make them an ideal piece of equipment for a wide range of environments, from the construction site to the warehouse floor. - They can vacuum hazardous contaminants
Another reason why vacuums for industrial cleaning are such a key resource in a variety of environments is because they are able to safely vacuum up. They can vacuum up ashes, waste residue, various hot residues and more – and they are able to do it according to industry standards. Many industrial vacuums are ATEX-certified, which means they can adequately handle combustible dust and are explosion-proof and anti-static.
Again, they can perform this way due to how they are designed and built. Furthermore, many of the industrial vacuum cleaners manufactured by IPC Worldwide are also able to adequately suction hot materials and fine powders up to 200°C. HEPA filters also work to ensure any dust or harmful residue is not dispersed throughout the environment that is being cleaned. Industrial vacuums are typically categorized into three classes of filtering systems based on the type of dust they are intending to vacuum. There’s light hazard, medium hazard and high hazard. The higher the hazard classification, the better the vacuum cleaner when it comes to removing dust. - They can vacuum liquids
A final benefit of industrial vacuums is that they can vacuum up liquids, waste, oils, and other porous materials. Whether it is a spill or a flooded area, industrial vacuums can make quick work of it.
When to Choose an Industrial Vacuum Cleaner
Generally, you’ll want to select an industrial vacuum cleaner anytime you need heavy-duty cleaning. Here is a look at some situations that make sense for using an industrial vac:
- Cleaning ovens or anything that might contain hot residue or ashes
- When you need to use a vacuum in association with drilling, sanding, cutting or other tools
- Vacuuming in healthcare environments or clean rooms to avoid cross-contamination
- For vacuuming up liquids
- Oil and scraps (swarf) recovery
- For vacuuming combustible dust in ATEX zone
- Suction of bulky and heavy material
For more information on when and why to choose an industrial vacuum cleaner, contact IPC Worldwide today, we are here to help you.