'•esian ^ENVIRONMENT
Vacuum Sanders:
Reducing Dust and
Hazardous Air Pollutants
US. EPA
What Is EPA's Design for the
Environment (DfE) Automotive
Refinishing Partnership?
EPA's Design for the Environment
(DfE) Program forms partnerships to
reduce risk to people and the
environment through pollution prevention. DfE has
been working with the automotive refinishing industry
since 1997 to identify and promote safer, cleaner, and
more efficient practices and technologies. The DfE
team conducts best practices workshops and site
visits for collision repair businesses and schools. A
Best Practices Outreach Kit with checklists, fact
sheets, case studies, health and safety information,
and links to numerous resources can be downloaded
from the DfE website at http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/
projects/auto.
Why Use Vacuum Sanders?
Dust created during the sanding process may contain
toxic materials such as isocyanates, lead, chromium,
and silica that are harmful to the lungs and nervous
system. Use of a
High Velocity Low
Volume (HVLV)
vacuum sanding
system can protect
workers and others
nearby from
harmful dust.
When used and
maintained
properly, vacuum
Photo provided courtesy of the i t .
Rhode Island Department of sanders can contral
Environmental Management. 93-98% of the dust
generated from the
disc sanding operation and may minimize the need to
use a respirator during sanding operations. Vacuum
sanders can pay for themselves over time by
eliminating expensive repaints, shortening clean up
time, and extending sandpaper life.
What Are the Different Types of Vacuum
Sanders/Systems Available?
Commercially available vacuum sanding systems fall
into two main categories - central vacuum systems
and portable vacuum units. Both systems use orbital
as well as straight line sanders.
Central vacuum
systems consist
of multiple
vacuum sanding
drops connected
to a central
vacuum system
by means of
. ., Photo provided courtesy of Eurovac
retractable,
flexible hosing. Such systems produce sufficient
suction to handle up to four to twenty technicians
sanding at the same time.
Self-contained (portable)
units are designed for
operation by one to three
technicians at the same
time. The unit comes with
attached wheels and can be
easily moved from one
location to another in the
shop, depending on where
the sanding has to be
performed (much like a
shop-vac).
Photo provided
courtesy of Eurovac
Vacuum Sanders Reduce Harmful Dust and
Provide Other Benefits
Reduced cleanup costs: reduced time to clean dust
off the floor and off cars. One shop that installed a
vacuum sanding system for $9,000 saved over
$7,000 a year because of reductions in cleanup
costs
Reduced respirator/filter costs: minimize or eliminate
need to use a respirator during sanding operations.
Extended sandpaper life: approximately 30%-40%
lower sandpaper replacement costs (according to
one vacuum system manufacturer). One Minnesota
shop that installed a vacuum sander not only
decreased the amount of sandpaper used but also
reduced the frequency of air filter changes. (See
EPA reference above.)
Reduced buffing and reworking: reduced settling of
dust on freshly painted cars and reduced swirl marks
because of minimal grit build-up on sanding disc.
Reduced dust emissions to the surrounding
community: significant reduction in the amount of
dust released to the environment outside the shop.
August 2007
www.epa.gov/dfe
EPA 744-F-07-005
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How Do I Select a System That Is Right for My
Shop?
Equipment manufacturers or dealer representatives
can assist you in selecting and installing a vacuum
sanding system that meets your shop needs and fits
your budget. Vacuum systems can be custom-
engineered to fit tools being used, the number of
technicians using the system at the same time, the
number and type of hoses, and other shop-specific
criteria. Portable units can be more affordable and
practical for smaller refinish shops. Before investing
in a system, talk to other shop owners that have
installed and successfully use vacuum sanding
systems and ask the manufacturer or dealer
representative for references.
What Does It Cost to Install a Vacuum
Sanding System?
The cost of a central vacuum system depends on
factors like the size of the shop and the number of
hoses required. Typical costs for a 5,000 square foot
shop can range from $5,000 to $8,000 (including
freight and installation). Prices for portable units can
range from $1,600 to several thousand dollars,
depending on the capacity, the number of hose
attachments, and other features of the units.
Note on conversion kits versus new tools:
Conversion kits for most popular sanders are
available at about $80 for orbital sanders and
$110 for straight line sanders. New tools can cost
anywhere from $27 to more than $400, depending
upon the make, size, and type of tool. Equipment
manufacturers or dealer representatives can help
you determine whether your existing sanders can
be retrofitted to perform as well as new vacuum
sanders.
How Does a Vacuum Sander Work?
Vacuum sanders with HVLV ventilation use industrial
vacuum cleaners to trap sanding dust before it
becomes airborne and feature a compressed air
driven sanding disc that is perforated with a series of
holes. As the sander removes paint/filler, the dust is
drawn into the holes and moves through a hose that
is attached to the vacuum unit. The dust then travels
to a collection canister where it is stored until it can
be disposed. Because dust is collected as the
paint/filler is removed, the amount of dust that can
escape into the shop is reduced considerably. As
with all shop equipment, proper system maintenance
according to the manufacturer's instructions is
essential to ensure continued effectiveness of
vacuum sanding systems.
ILLUSTRATION OF AN ORBITAL SANDER WITH HVLV VENTILATION
] COMPRESSED AIR
DRIVES THE SANDER
AIR EXHAUSTED BY
CEkTTRAL VACUUM SYSTEM
EL
CONTAMINATED AIR IS EXHAUSTED THROUGH
SIX HOLES IN SANDING PAD AND SAND PAPER
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/sanding.html
How Can I Get More Information on Dust
Control During Sanding Operations and on
Other Best Practices for Auto Refinish
Operations?
. Talk to your vacuum sander system and tool
manufacturers and their dealer representatives.
. Consult with the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) by either calling
1-800-35-NIOSH or by visiting their website at
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/sanding.html
For information on other
best practices, visit the
EPA's Design for the
Environment (DfE)
Automotive Refinishing
Partnership website at
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/
pubs/projects/auto or
contact the DfE project
team at
http://epa.gov/dfe/contacts.htm
Design for the Environment
Aufo Refinish Project
www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/Duto/
Note: The mention or illustration of any product or company does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA 744-F-07-005
www.epa.gov/dfe
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