Application guide
Confined Space Ventilation & Safety Equipment in the UAE & GCC
Tank entries, vessel cleaning and shutdown work all need fresh air and a way to keep people and objects out of openings. We supply certified air movers, antistatic ducting, fume extraction and access barriers.
What does your confined space job need?
Ventilation is one part of safe entry. Match the equipment to the atmosphere, the duct run and the work being done inside.
| Your situation | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Entering a tank or vessel that may hold flammable vapour | ATEX / IECEx air mover with antistatic ducting | A certified fan moves air without becoming an ignition source, and antistatic ducting avoids static build-up. |
| A long duct run to reach the work | High-power air mover | The SA Cyclone SAF35HP is built to deliver strong airflow even over long duct runs, supplying fresh air or extracting contaminated air. |
| No electrical supply allowed at the access point | Venturi pneumatic air mover | It runs on compressed air and has no moving parts. |
| Welding or grinding inside the space | Hot work fume extraction system | The SA Cyclone system extracts up to 2,500 cubic metres of air per hour with 3-stage filtration and can be grounded. |
| A sealed habitat or asbestos removal in a flammable atmosphere | Negative pressure unit | It is Ex compliant, meets BS 8520 Part 2 and HSE guidance HS247, and extracts up to 2,146 cubic metres per hour with HEPA filtration. |
| Open manholes, pits and openings | Barriers and cover nets | CableSafe barriers and nets stop people and objects falling in and keep unauthorised people out. |
| Fixed ventilation on marine or industrial plant | Axial flow fans | Hison fans come in sizes from 300 mm to 2,000 mm with spark-resistant construction and explosion-proof motor options. |
Ventilation does not replace gas testing, the permit to work or the site rescue plan. Entry procedures are set by the operator, so follow them for air-change rates and monitoring.
Ventilation and confined space equipment we supply
Every item below links to its product page. Specifications are taken from the product pages, so check the datasheet for your exact model and approval.
SA Equip EX Air Mover
Portable, lightweight fan for confined spaces where explosive gases or dust may be present.
SA Cyclone SAF35HP
Ex-certified portable fan with a twin-wall polymer housing. Supplies or extracts air over long duct runs.
Venturi Air Mover
Compressed-air powered with no moving parts, with inlet duct and hose connector options.
Antistatic reinforced ducting
Flame retardant, flexible polymer ducting with a stainless steel helix. Suitable for Ex Zones 1 and 2.
Ex hot work fume extraction
Portable, modular unit for welding and grinding. Extracts up to 2,500 m3/h with 3-stage filtration.
Hison spark-resistant axial fans
300 mm to 2,000 mm, aluminium aerofoil impellers, with explosion-proof motor options.
CableSafe Manhole Quick Barrier
Lightweight, highly visible barrier that is quick to deploy around open manholes.
CableSafe Cover Net
Strong, lightweight net that prevents falls and unauthorised entry at manholes and pits.
Also in range: Negative pressure unit, antistatic layflat ducting and CableSafe Multifold Barrier. Browse Ventilation Systems and Confined Space Safety.
How to plan confined space ventilation
Six points to settle before the equipment is selected.
- What is the atmosphere?Know what gases, vapours or dust could be present. The answer decides whether the fan and ducting must be Ex certified.
- What is the zone?Give the zone and gas group so we can match the ATEX or IECEx marking.
- Supply or extract?Some jobs push fresh air in, others pull contaminated air out. Many need both.
- How long is the duct run?Every metre of duct and every bend reduces airflow. Choose the air mover for the real route.
- What work happens inside?Welding, grinding and painting create fumes that need extraction and filtration.
- How will the opening be protected?Barriers and nets keep people and tools from falling into the access point while the job is open.
Where these systems are used
Tank cleaning and entry
Fresh air supply and vapour extraction during tank and vessel entry.
Shutdowns and turnarounds
Temporary ventilation, fume extraction and barriers across many work fronts.
Offshore and marine work
Spark-resistant fans and Ex air movers for enclosed compartments.
Utility manholes and pits
Cover nets and barriers at open manholes and pits.
Confined space ventilation FAQs
Do I need an Ex-certified air mover for confined space entry?
If flammable gas, vapour or dust could be present, yes. Choose a fan with ATEX or IECEx certification for the zone, and use antistatic ducting.
What is the difference between an air mover and an extraction system?
An air mover moves large volumes of air in or out through ducting. A fume extraction system also filters the air it removes, which is needed for hot work such as welding and grinding.
Can I ventilate without electricity?
Yes. A venturi air mover runs on compressed air and has no moving parts, so there is no electrical supply at the access point.
What does a negative pressure unit do?
It holds a temporary enclosure at lower pressure so contaminated air cannot leak out. The SA Cyclone unit is Ex compliant and has HEPA filtration.
Does ventilation replace gas testing?
No. Ventilation helps keep the atmosphere safe, but gas testing, the permit to work and the rescue plan are still required under your site rules.
Do you supply confined space equipment across the GCC?
Yes. Daly Middle East supplies from Dubai to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Planning a confined space job in the UAE or GCC?
Send us the zone, the space size, the duct route and the work to be done. We will recommend the equipment and quote it.