Vehicle Exhaust Extraction for RAF Fire Station
Specialist Vehicle Exhaust Extraction for Emergency Fire Appliances
A-Mac Environmental provided a specialist vehicle exhaust extraction system for an RAF fire station in Scotland, designed to capture and remove diesel exhaust emissions generated by fire appliances operating within the station's appliance bays.
Fire appliances need to be ready to respond immediately. This means engines may be started and vehicles driven inside an enclosed building, creating the potential for diesel exhaust fumes to enter the working environment.
The extraction solution needed to provide effective source capture while allowing the appliances to leave the station quickly without interfering with operational response.
A Plymovent vehicle exhaust extraction system was selected to meet these requirements.
The Challenge
The fire station incorporated four appliance bays, each requiring an appropriate means of controlling vehicle exhaust emissions.
Diesel engines can generate a mixture of airborne contaminants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate emissions.
Allowing these fumes to disperse throughout an enclosed appliance bay would unnecessarily increase exposure for personnel working within the station.
The objective was therefore to capture exhaust emissions directly from the vehicle exhaust and remove them from the building before they could spread throughout the workplace.
However, this also had to be achieved without slowing the departure of emergency vehicles.
The system needed to combine:
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Effective source capture
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Ease of connection to the fire appliances
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Automatic operation
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Reliable extraction
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Automatic disconnection as vehicles left the building
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External discharge of the extracted fumes
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A layout suitable for the different appliance bays
Designing the Extraction Around the Fire Station
The fire station had four separate vehicle bays, so the extraction system was designed around the building's layout and operating requirements.
Different Plymovent extraction arrangements were incorporated across the bays.
The design included both vehicle exhaust extraction tracks and vertical extraction rail systems, together with dedicated extraction fans and associated ductwork.
This allowed the extraction arrangement in each part of the station to suit the position and movement of the fire appliances.
Rather than attempting to remove diesel fumes after they had entered the building, the system was designed to capture contaminants at the source.
Plymovent Vehicle Exhaust Extraction
A-Mac Environmental used specialist Plymovent vehicle exhaust extraction equipment for the installation.
The system incorporated equipment including:
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Plymovent vehicle exhaust extraction tracks
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Vertical extraction rail systems
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Magnetic vehicle exhaust connections
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Crush-proof flexible extraction hose
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Automatic pressure sensing
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Dedicated centrifugal extraction fans
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Associated extraction ductwork
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External exhaust discharge
The vehicle connection allows the extraction hose to attach directly to the appliance exhaust, capturing fumes immediately as they leave the vehicle.
Automatic Extraction
An important feature of the installation was its automatic operation.
Pressure sensors were incorporated into the extraction system to enable automatic start-and-stop control.
This means extraction can operate as needed without relying solely on personnel to manually switch the system on and off.
For an emergency facility where vehicles must be able to leave quickly, simplicity and reliability are particularly important.
Automatic Vehicle Release
One of the most interesting features of the system is the way the extraction connection interacts with a moving fire appliance.
The Plymovent magnetic extraction hood connects directly to the vehicle exhaust while the appliance is inside the station.
As the vehicle moves towards the exit, the extraction system remains connected and continues to remove exhaust fumes.
At a predetermined point during departure, the magnetic connection automatically detaches from the vehicle, allowing the appliance to continue out of the station.
This means exhaust extraction can remain effective during vehicle start-up and departure without personnel needing to manually disconnect the system before the appliance leaves.
During commissioning, this operation was demonstrated with a fire appliance driving out of the station. The extraction hood detached at the required point, and the system was confirmed to be operating as designed.
Commissioning the New LEV System
Following installation, A-Mac Environmental carried out a Thorough Examination and Test of the new vehicle exhaust extraction system.
The examination assessed both the system's physical condition and its actual extraction performance.
The inspection included:
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Vehicle exhaust capture equipment
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Flexible extraction hose
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Ductwork
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Extraction fan
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Automatic pressure sensor
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External discharge arrangement
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Operation of the automatic vehicle disconnect
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Duct velocity measurements
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Airflow measurements
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Overall effectiveness of diesel fume capture
The system was also tested during normal operation with the fire appliance.
Airflow Performance
Performance measurements were taken to confirm that sufficient air was moving through the extraction system to transport the vehicle exhaust fumes.
Testing recorded an average duct velocity of approximately 15.85 m/s
The benchmark used during the examination was a minimum duct velocity of 10 m/s
The measured velocity was therefore comfortably above the benchmark used for the fume extraction assessment.
The measured airflow at the test point was approximately 448 m³/hr
The extraction fan was also inspected and confirmed to be operating in the correct direction and in good condition.
Removing Exhaust Fumes from the Building
Captured exhaust fumes were transported through the extraction ductwork and discharged to the atmosphere outside the building. The system did not return extracted exhaust air to the workplace. During the commissioning assessment, the extraction arrangement demonstrated sufficient velocity to remove fumes, with the exhaust discharged above and away from the building.
The Result
Following examination and performance testing, the vehicle exhaust extraction system was assessed as providing adequate control of the diesel fumes generated by the fire appliances.
The system was found to be:
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Used correctly
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In good repair
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Clean
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Providing adequate control
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Operating as designed
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Successfully discharging extracted fumes outside the building
The overall LEV equipment status was recorded as PASSED.
Protecting Personnel Without Restricting Emergency Response
This project demonstrates an important consideration when designing vehicle exhaust extraction for emergency-service environments.
Effective contaminant control must not interfere with the facility's operational requirements.
Fire appliances must be able to start and leave their bays immediately when required.
By combining direct exhaust capture with an automatic magnetic release system, the installation allows extraction to remain connected as the vehicle begins to depart, then automatically releases at the appropriate point.
This helps provide effective diesel exhaust control without creating an unnecessary manual step for personnel during an emergency response.
Why Vehicle Exhaust Extraction Matters
Running diesel-powered vehicles inside workshops, garages, depots, and emergency-service buildings can allow exhaust emissions to accumulate within the workplace.
General ventilation may dilute contaminants after they enter the room, but source extraction addresses the problem before they have a chance to spread.
This approach is suitable for many applications, including:
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Fire stations
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Emergency-service vehicle bays
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Vehicle workshops
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Bus and coach depots
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HGV workshops
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Fleet maintenance facilities
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Agricultural workshops
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Military vehicle facilities
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Plant and machinery workshops
A properly designed vehicle exhaust extraction system can capture emissions directly from the exhaust and safely transport them away from the working environment.
Vehicle Exhaust Extraction from A-Mac Environmental
A-Mac Environmental provides specialist vehicle exhaust extraction and Local Exhaust Ventilation solutions throughout Scotland.
We can assist with:
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Vehicle exhaust extraction design
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System installation
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Plymovent extraction systems
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Source capture systems
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Extraction tracks and rails
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Flexible exhaust extraction systems
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LEV commissioning
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Thorough Examination & Testing
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Maintenance and repairs
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Airflow and performance testing
Every application is different, so the extraction system needs to take into account the vehicles, building layout, working practices, and how the facility is actually used.
If diesel or petrol vehicles are operated inside your workplace, A-Mac Environmental can assess your requirements and help identify an appropriate extraction solution.
Contact A-Mac Environmental to discuss vehicle exhaust extraction for your workshop, garage, depot or operational facility.