Industrial fans can make the workday more tolerable for your employees, helping them achieve a higher level of concentration and productivity. Industrial exhaust fans and blowers also blow stagnant air out of a building and bring in fresh air from outside.

Where air conditioning is not possible, or if it doesn't fit in your budget, industrial floor fans and industrial ventilation fans help make factory floors, warehouses and even commercial buildings, like gyms, more comfortable. Here is a breakdown of the main types of industrial air fans:

1. Industrial ceiling fans provide ventilation or exhaust and mount in roofs or ceilings by flanges or brackets.

2. Duct fans operate within ducts or other in-line applications, and either have flanges or braces for mounting.

3. Volume or pressure blowers operate within an enclosure.

4. Some panel or industrial wall fans simply provide air movement, but others mount inside walls by flanges to provide ventilation or exhaust.

5. Freestanding and portable fans provide air circulation anywhere and do not require mounting.

6. Plenum fans are designed for air-handling under higher pressures.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find quality industrial fans for sale

There are many industrial fan sources, so look for ones that have large selections and don't forget to compare prices.

I recommend: Uline carries floor, pedestal and industrial drum fans. They also have wall mount industrial fans. For exhaust blowers and high pressure fans, look to Chicago Blower Corporation. They carry a huge selection; it's their only business.

Get the grade of fan that will do the job without breaking your budget

Don't just buy the cheapest fan out there. Most fans have a long lifespan, but you want something that will get the job done. Balance price and performance.

I recommend: If you are looking for a pedestal or portable industrial fan, then Global Industrial is a good place to shop. They have many models to choose from, each of which comes in multiple sizes. That means you can get the size you want without paying more for a larger size than you need. For high quality, in-line industrial blowers, head to Process Air Solutions. You'll find their clearly published blower specifications very helpful.

Repair your industrial fan

Don't replace a broken industrial fan before getting a quote on fixing it. Industrial fans are generally cost-effective to repair.

I recommend: For repair of fans of any size or composition, Process Equipment, Inc. is a good option. They even provide on-site service. Power Vac, Inc. provides industrial blower repair. Their procedures include full inspection, sandblasting, restoration to original specs and bearing replacement.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The Air Movement Control Association (AMCA) classifies some industrial grade fans based on their construction, then designates them with numbers. Typically, the higher the number, the higher the fan's performance.