Facility and purchasing managers in the semiconductor industry have an excellent opportunity to leverage their technical knowledge, evaluate and prioritize initiatives, and pursue their final selection of a fume exhaust duct system that promotes and produces green rewards.

Here are just a few green points to consider when selecting a best in “green” class fume exhaust system:

• What are the impacts to the environment when the system is manufactured for use?
• Where is the fume exhaust system manufactured and what is the travel distance, cost, and impact?
• Is the system easy to install, retrofit, and remove?
• Are there environmental impacts to an occupied space during system install?
• Is the system impacted by ultraviolet light?
• Can the fume exhaust duct be field cut and installed to meet a special length requirement without damaging the integrity of the protection surface?
• Does the system require additional system support protection systems, e.g. fire sprinklers, etc.?
• What system maintenance is required long-term and at what cost?
• Can the system be reused for fume exhaust?
• Can the system be reused for other exhaust systems?
• What percentage of the system can be reused?
• Can the system be easily packaged and stored for reuse?
• Can the system be recycled?
• What percentage of the system can be recycled?
• Are their special hazardous material disposal requirements after system is removed from operation?

Evaluating and recognizing the positive economic potential associated with selecting a fire safe, green fume exhaust duct system is an affirmative step forward for facilities and purchasing managers responding to the semiconductor industry’s challenge to push forward in search for the best in “green” class system sustainability, performance, and the reduction of system waste.

From: “Exhausting Your Options”