I have a huge door to the right is it OK to not have Ventilation yet?

[bead crazy]

I am just setting up my temporary torch in the shed until the new garage is built. My question is I am very afraid to not have the proper ventilation but my DH says it will be fine. The shed is fairly large 10 X 16 and has a door that would be on the right side of my desk it is as big as the whole width of the shed and there are not doors on it. The desk is right next to the opening and there is another regular door behind me.. My DH says beings that the door is wide open that it would be fine to use my torch without the ventilation above me. He thinks that I could put a small fan that will blow the fumes out toward the door. First my feeling is the fan should be pulling the fumes away because it would blow my flame, second, should I have the door behind me open or would it make any difference due to the large door being wide open? Or Is it a bad idea all around. He thinks that it is almost like being outside. Please help I really want to do all of this by the book.:?: :?:
Thanks Lori

[mbock]

Lori,

I know there's a "right" way to ventilate, but I work in an upstairs bedroom with the door open and window open with a big fan pulling air through the room out through the window (my torch is between the two). I'm not dead yet.

I will say that when I started and wasn't so careful - I had a very bad headache the first couple of times.....and realized what it was. So - just be careful.

[chrisdd]

Your ventilation system needs to draw air from behind you and suck it away from your face. The health effects of poor ventilation can take years to show up, so make sure you think long term. For anything more specific, you'll need some input from one of our safety gurus.

[Cosmo]

The strongest concentration of fumes is at the end of the flame. You need something to pull the fumes out of that immediate area.

A fan beside your torch will mess with your flame. I know some people that have their torch oriented so that the flame goes out an open door or window, and, while that is not the best way to do it, I have worked there and it seems fine as a temporary fix. I would put a fan behind you, though.

As for fresh air, the rule I have heard is that the source needs to be a minimum of 10 feet from the exhaust source.

No disrespect to your husband, but unless he has studied this particular type of situation, he may not know for sure what is the best and safest setup for you.

[flamesofglass]

You'll want to do some more detailed research on ventilation (there is a lot of it out there) if you are going to use that setup for any length of time. As previously mentioned the effects from a poorly ventilated area can take years to show up as a symptom (which you can then do nothing about)! You don’t want to take ventilation lightly. Be Safe!

[lenora]

It is not a good way to go. You need to capture and get rid of the fumes from your torch as well as provide adequate fresh make-up air. You can't do that with a fan and two open doors. I would invest in a ventilation hood to capture and exhaust the fumes. The open door behind you sounds great for make-up air, but it must be ten feet from your exhaust point. Your health is too important to take a risk!!!! Do you have any pictures or drawings so we can get a better idea??? Good luck!!

[LampworkbyLori]

What are you planning to do this winter?

[Dale M.]

You may want to go here to get short version on what ventialtion is all about....

http://www.artglassanswers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=150

Also you have to login to see the graphics...

Dale

[bead crazy]

Lori, I don't have anything set up yet. I think my husband is giving me 1/2 of the garage. I was just in a hurry and did not want to wait. But I am waiting to much to figure to rush.
Dale, Thanks so much for answering my many questions and being such a asset to us all having a safe work place. I think I finally have it figured out but I may have a few more questions as we get closer to getting it finished
Lori

[JCHerrellGlass]

The key to ventilation is to pull back (or better yet down) and away from the torch and you. The hood thing is no good because it pulls all the junk up in front of your face - exactly where you do not want it. You also want to get as much of the fumes from the end of your torch so if you have a box (a better shape is actually a funnel sort of thing with out any corners for air to get stuck in) built that your torch shoots into at the back your flame this is best... then the vent will be at the back of your funnel/box. Then little of the fumes go into the room.

The problem with just opening a door, no matter the size, is that this stuff will get caught in the dead air of your space and that NO GOOD. Basicly, according to what Henry Grimmett was saying at AGI, it clings to the moisture in the room and causes what is basicly acid rain. So that's what you end breathing whenever you are in the space. That is to be avoided at all costs.