Frequently Asked Questions - Ductulator

April 4, 2022

How to calculate duct work sizes for welding fume extraction layouts and fan CFM requirements

IAP Ductulator

1) Use the back of the Ductulator

IAP Ductulator sketch


2) Have a simple sketch of your system


3) Start with the first fume arm in line (3”). Then work your way to the last arm. Start with 3” duct work since you have a 3” arm.



IAP Ductulator


4) 3” dia is equivalent to 7 sq in  (see Ductulator red circled area)


5) Next arm is 3”, which is also 7 sq in 

IAP Ductulator in use


6) When you add 7 (first 3” arm) + 7 (second 3” arm) = 14 sq in.  Find 14 sq in on the chart.  It is equivalent to 4” diameter duct work.  So when you add the second 3” fume arm your duct work needs to increase to 4” diameter.

Ductulator picture 5


7) Next is a 6” fume arm.  This is equivalent to 28 sq in

Ductulator picture 6


8) 28 sq in + 14 sq in = 42 sq in


9) 42 sq in is 7.5" diameter duct work.  We would round up to 8"





Note: You can use odd duct diameters at 3", 5", 7", and maybe 9". Typical to stay to even afterwards, unless customer wants odd.


10)     At the fan inlet the duct work is 8” 


11)     The arm cfm is:


a.      3” – 170 cfm (1.5 wg)

b.      6” – 600 cfm (1.5 wg)

c.      Total = 170+170+600 = 940 cfm


The fan would need to be more than 940 cfm

If you don’t have a Ductulator and would like one, email Josh Cannon (Sales@iap-airproducts.com). He can help with all your welding fume extraction needs!   

SHARE THIS POST

IAP Extension Booms
June 5, 2025
When it comes to capturing fumes in tough-to-reach places, sometimes a standard fume extraction arm just isn’t enough. That’s where our IAP Extension Booms come in. Built to help you cover more ground—literally—they’re designed for spaces where flexibility and reach really matter, like shops with overhead cranes, wide work bays, or multiple workstations.
IAP Laboratory Extraction Fume Arms
May 9, 2025
If you’ve spent any time in a lab, you know how important it is to keep the air clean and safe. That’s exactly why we designed our IAP Laboratory Extraction Fume Arms—to capture fumes, vapors, and particulate right at the source before they become a problem. They’re built to make labs safer, cleaner, and just plain easier to work in.
Weld Shell – The Smarter Welding Booth
April 11, 2025
If you're searching for durable welding booths, easy-to-install weld stations, or cost-effective welding training setups, meet your new go-to: Weld Shell by IAP Air Products. Weld Shell is the result of years of feedback from schools, training centers, and manufacturing facilities. Built for real-world use, Weld Shell welding booths combine rugged construction, space-saving design, and easy installation into one smart system.