Corrosive Fumes – Asset Protection

Corrosive Fumes in Industrial Buildings: Protecting Structural Assets

Industrial manufacturing and processing activities can release corrosive vapours and airborne chemical contaminants that gradually damage building structures, roofing systems and equipment. Without appropriate controls, prolonged exposure can increase maintenance costs, compromise building integrity and reduce the operational life of valuable industrial assets.

How Corrosive Fumes Damage Industrial Buildings

Corrosive emissions may be generated during chemical processing, metal treatment, manufacturing and other industrial operations. When certain airborne contaminants interact with moisture or settle on exposed surfaces, they can accelerate the deterioration of building materials.

Over time, this can contribute to:

Corrosion of structural steel and supporting frameworks.
Deterioration of metal roofing and cladding.
Damage to machinery, ventilation equipment and electrical components.
Increased maintenance, repair and replacement costs.
Reduced building service life and potential operational disruptions.

Why Airborne Contaminant Accumulation Matters

In large industrial buildings, inadequate airflow can allow airborne contaminants to remain within the facility for extended periods. Depending on their physical properties, some vapours may accumulate in particular areas, exposing building components and equipment to potentially corrosive conditions.

Managing these emissions requires consideration of contaminant sources, airflow patterns, moisture levels and the suitability of ventilation systems.

How Airocle Supports Long-Term Asset Protection

Airocle designs and manufactures engineered natural ventilation systems that utilise wind-driven and thermal airflow to improve air movement throughout industrial buildings.

Where appropriate, natural ventilation can assist with the dilution and removal of residual airborne contaminants, helping reduce prolonged exposure of building structures and equipment.

For facilities handling hazardous or highly corrosive substances, natural ventilation should be assessed alongside source extraction, containment and other engineering controls to determine the most suitable ventilation strategy.

Protect Your Industrial Building and Equipment

Addressing airborne contaminants early can help facilities manage corrosion risks, reduce avoidable maintenance and support the long-term performance of industrial infrastructure.

Looking for an engineered ventilation solution?

Explore Airocle’s Industrial Fumes & Airborne Contaminants Solutions →

Reference: SafeWork NSW – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.

Problem

Industrial Fumes & Airborne Contaminants

Industrial fumes, dust and airborne contaminants can compromise worker safety, air quality and building conditions. Airocle designs engineered natural and hybrid ventilation systems to help manage contaminant accumulation across large industrial facilities.

Regulatory Exposure

Workplace Exposure Standards: Industrial fumes, dust and gases are subject to workplace exposure standards. In January 2024, Safe Work Australia announced a reduction in the workplace exposure standard for welding fumes from 5 mg/m³ to 1 mg/m³, measured as an eight-hour time-weighted average.

Compliance Risk: Businesses must manage airborne contaminants in accordance with applicable workplace health and safety regulations. Inadequate controls can allow contaminants to spread throughout a facility, increasing worker exposure and regulatory risk.

Wind Pressure

Consider five standard roller doors open on the windward face of an industrial building, providing approximately 25 m² of inlet area, together with ridge-mounted natural ventilators.

At a moderate wind speed of 4 m/s, this configuration can generate approximately 40–50 m³/s of airflow through the building.

That's equivalent to the airflow of approximately 20 × 500 mm axial fans running at full speed, based on the engineers' illustrative comparison.