Vehicle exhaust fumes contain many toxic gases including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and diesel particulate matter (DPM). For anyone that works around vehicles, large or small, you are well aware of the smells and vapours constantly around you.
If you’re looking for solutions to extract exhaust fume in your workplace, here’s some info which may be useful. There is a good range of specialty exhaust fume extraction equipment available for workshops of all sizes.
Mobile units
A mobile exhaust fume extractor is good for rented spaces or if you can’t or don’t want to install ducting. Mobile units, like the ELEMAX, solve how to extract exhaust gases where there is no fixed wall or ceiling mounted extraction system. These units are on a trolley so can be wheeled up to the vehicle as needed, and are essentially plug-and-play. Exhaust fumes are extracted to the outside through a flexible hose.
The ELEMAX’s fan, together with the supplied hose, is rated for exhaust fume temperatures up to 70oC with peaks of 90oC. These are fitted with a universal inlet cone to suit most exhausts.
The main downside to a mobile unit is that the flexible hose runs across the floor, perhaps taking up valuable space or exposing itself to accidental damage.
Wall mounted units (standard)
These are simple and economical solutions for small workshops.
Typical wall mounted systems like the APN1 or APN2 include an extractor fan and do require ducted to outside of the building. They come standard with a mostly-universal rubber nozzle, and a wall-mounted bracket to store the hose. A wide range of nozzles are available.
The APN comes standard with a 10m crush-proof TGA rubber hose (Ø75mm or Ø100mm), BGNP nozzle, and is suitable for temperatures up to 180oC.
For heavy duty vehicles and trucks, the APT has a more-industrial fan and wider diameter hose (Ø125mm or Ø150mm), suitable for temperatures up to 180oC.
Wall-mounted units (high temperatures)
Testing stationary vehicles for high performance does generate high temperatures, and extreme vapours and particulate. Specialised high temperature fume exhaust extraction systems incorporate special fans, high temp hoses, with various suitable nozzle and positioners available as optional extras.
The wall-mounted APF is rated for low -to-moderate testing. It may cover DPF (diesel particulate filter) cleaning requirements for temperatures up to 400oC. The APD is specifically designed for dyno testing for temperatures up to 1000oC.
Hose reels
Hose reel systems are fixed solutions in workshops - requiring ducting for exhaust fume extraction. They save on space, plus provide extended reach into work spaces with convenient hose and nozzle storage. There are two main types of exhaust fume extraction hose reels – ones with fans, and ones without.
A hose reel with a fan acts as a stand-alone workstation. The ARHV is a hose reel with a fan and can be wall-mounted or below-roof-mounted to save on space. The fan actively pulls hazardous fumes out of the building via ducting.
A hose reel without a fan has no extraction until it is connected to a centralised ducted system. Multiple hose reels can be set up across a large workshop connected to the extraction system, and each hose reel extracts and safely stores away its hose and nozzle.
Most hose reels have a manual spring recoil so that the hose can easily rewound onto the reel once work is completed. However, you can also get a motorised rewind. Our range includes the ARH (manual rewind) and the ARHM (motorised rewind) – they can be configured with or without a fan.
Hoses are available in varying diameters and lengths to suit applications. High temperature hoses are available for reels.
Sliding rails
Sliding rails can incorporate hose reels like the ARHC, or just hoses in simpler applications. The rails become the extraction ducting. These are good for multiple bays in large auto workshops with high ceilings, and where flexibility is required. Multiple reels can be installed on a rail system to slide across work bays and to be shared between workers. The fumes are extracted through the rail system via the main extraction fan and outside via discharge ductwork
Hoses can be at varying diameters and lengths to suit applications. High temperature hoses are available.
Nozzles
There’s a huge range of nozzles and positioners available to suit vehicle requirements.
Nozzles connect directly to exhaust pipes, but positioners are placed near the source and are recommended for high temperature requirements.
Nozzles can be made of rubber, resistant to moderate temperatures, or made from steel to resist even higher temperatures. They can come with various clamps and quick releases options.
Ask us about hoses and fans suitable to your application.
New SafeWork Australia workplace exposure limits
New Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) come into effect on 1st December, 2026 for airborne contaminants in regards to diesel and petrol emissions. Monitoring of the air quality in workshops should occur; particularly for Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM), carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
Read more here
Dynamic Engineering Australia are ventilation experts and we can provide an exhaust fume extraction system that is right for your work environment.
