Snail Scott on thu 30 dec 04
At 11:07 AM 12/30/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>...Would a studio ventilation
>system potentially raise dust in the process of removing it from the room?
How do I
>best minimize heat loss from the studio due to the ventilation?...is a
vacuum with a HEPA filter safe
>and effective, or do I still run the risk of making fine silica dust
airborne?
A stong ventilation system definitely stirs up
fine dust. I'd try to keep the glaze-making area
a bit sequestered, and ventilate it out directly
from the glaze area, so that it's not being pulled
through the whole studio. This will also minimize
the heat loss from the 'working' areas.
HEPA filters will remove fine particles, but the
finer the particles and the more efficient the
filter, the quicker it will clog. A waste of time
and cash, IMHO. I would skip vacuuming altogether.
Sweep gently (more of a 'shove' than a sweep -
don't flick it) to get the bulk of it out, then
damp mop. (I clean by using a dustpan as a shovel,
and a broom just to guide the clay as the dustpan
scoops it up. No airborne stuff if I can avoid it.)
Plenty of people think I'm a slob, but I don't even
clean my floor until it gets an inch deep around
my work area; I raise a lot less dust walking
on the clay crumbs than I would with even careful
cleaning. If I have to clean the floor, I wait until
the end of a big project, and take the day off
afterward while the dust settles. I don't actually
worry much about silicosis, but my leaky studio
gets a lot of natural dirt in through the gaps, and
when airborne, it gives me allergies - a much more
immediate and annoying reminder than the long-term
possibility of silicosis.
-Snail
Liz Harris on thu 30 dec 04
Hello all,
I have been throwing for 10 years but have recently left my job for a dream career as
a professional potter.
I am currently working out of my basement and garage and will be renovating the
garage into my studio. I understand the need for adequate ventilation, particularly
for kilns, but I am looking for specifics on ventilating the studio as a whole to remove
fine particulates. I am working with an architect, but I personally need to gather as
much information as possible so as to make the healthiest decisions. I purchase
prepared clay, but I will be making my own glazes. I work in the wet state as much
as possible and mop my work area rather than sweep it. Would a studio ventilation
system potentially raise dust in the process of removing it from the room? How do I
best minimize heat loss from the studio due to the ventilation? Does anyone have
experience with a heat-recovery system? Also, is a vacuum with a HEPA filter safe
and effective, or do I still run the risk of making fine silica dust airborne?
Many thanks,
Liz
"Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark
place where it leads." Erica Jong
Ron Roy on sun 2 jan 05
Hi Liz,
In my opinion - forget about the heat loss and get a central vac system
which will shoot the fine particle stuff outside. You can also rig it up to
take away any dust when weighing glazes.
I have a built in heat recovery air system in my studio but you can't count
on it to do much about dust.
HEPA filters are not always HEPA filters by the way - and when they are
they tend to clog up fast in a clay studio.
RR
>I have been throwing for 10 years but have recently left my job for a
>dream career as
>a professional potter.
>I am currently working out of my basement and garage and will be renovating the
>garage into my studio. I understand the need for adequate ventilation,
>particularly
>for kilns, but I am looking for specifics on ventilating the studio as a
>whole to remove
>fine particulates. I am working with an architect, but I personally need
>to gather as
>much information as possible so as to make the healthiest decisions. I
>purchase
>prepared clay, but I will be making my own glazes. I work in the wet
>state as much
>as possible and mop my work area rather than sweep it. Would a studio
>ventilation
>system potentially raise dust in the process of removing it from the room?
>How do I
>best minimize heat loss from the studio due to the ventilation? Does
>anyone have
>experience with a heat-recovery system? Also, is a vacuum with a HEPA
>filter safe
>and effective, or do I still run the risk of making fine silica dust airborne?
>
>Many thanks,
>Liz
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
firedup on thu 3 nov 05
I have been following the ventilation thread. I am also looking for =
something to help keep down the studio dust levels down but for a =
private studio rather than public or institutional. More like the 500 =
to 1000 sq. ft studio with only 1 or 2 people working, hence of course, =
reasonable cost would be very desiriable. The Bailey system looks real =
tempting but the price tag a bit staggering. I came across the following =
at the Lee Valley site and wonder if anyone has thoughts on this. Is =
this type totally useless?=20
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=3D1&p=3D30277&cat=3D1,42401&ap=3D=
1
as always, the exchange of opinions is ever so helpful and appreciated
Bev
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