Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Venting lamphouses

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Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 04-27-2003, 11:04 AM:

I am about to embark on installing my projection system into my new home and the room I will be using is 8' X 10'. As you probably already know I have an ORC1600 lamphouse that I will be using for the light source. The replacement bulb is of the low ozone type. The manual says it doesn't need to be vented to the outside. So should I vent the thing or not. The only other reason to vent would be the heat buildup in the room. Anyway thats the thing going on at the moment.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-27-2003, 11:25 AM:

If possible, always vent xenon lamps to the outside. There are Ozone emissions from Xenon arc lamps...even those that claim to be "Ozone Free." Some people are quite sensitive to those emissions and will get headaches.

Steve

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 04-27-2003, 12:26 PM:

Steve's right---vent it!

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 04-27-2003, 02:29 PM:

Vent it.

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 04-27-2003, 03:54 PM:

Just what are the hazards posed by Ozone?

Posted by John Anastasio (Member # 607) on 04-27-2003, 05:16 PM:

Moderate levels can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

Low-level exposures have been shown to cause significant temporary decreases in lung capacity in healthy, exercising adults.

Some asthmatic individuals are especially susceptible to ozone toxicity, which includes constricting airways.

Short-term exposures can cause increased sensitivity to airborne allergens and other irritants, and it can impair the body's immune system.

Summertime ozone episodes in the northeastern U.S. lead to 10-20% increases in hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

Human population studies of long-term exposures to low-level ozone indicate that it may lead to permanent reduction in lung capacity; animal studies have shown chronic high-level exposures can cause lasting structural damage in the lungs.

Children, especially asthmatics, are most at risk from exposure to ozone.

[Eek!]

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 04-27-2003, 09:39 PM:

I am prone to allergies and asthma type symptoms so I guess I better vent after all. [Frown]

Thanks John. [thumbsup]

Posted by Mark Maxwell (Member # 1355) on 04-28-2003, 01:35 AM:

As far as I am concerned, if it can light a projector, vent it. If it is bright enough to light a projector, it is hot as hell. We had one projector that had the vent fan go out, the entire booth heated up to the point that it was unbearable to be on the one side that the projector sat.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-28-2003, 07:59 AM:

Hazards of ozone:

http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_259300.html

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pel88/10028-15.html

http://www.cci.ca.gov/Reference/ESDA.pdf

http://www.arcesystems.com/products/ozone/safety.htm

In other words, VENT YOUR XENON LAMP to the outside.

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 04-28-2003, 10:01 AM:

Definately. [Eek!]

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 04-28-2003, 10:09 AM:

quote:
I am prone to allergies and asthma type symptoms so I guess I better vent after all.

It might also help if you vented your bedroom once a month.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 04-28-2003, 05:37 PM:

When xenon bulb manufacturers claim their bulbs are low-ozone emitting, it is about as meaningful as food manufacturers claiming their products are "low fat." Take it with a grain of salt....salt-free salt.

Vent it.

Frank

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-28-2003, 09:24 PM:

Some ozon is also generated by the spark gap during ignition

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 04-28-2003, 09:31 PM:

Gordon, yes, some is generated by the spark gap. Some igniers splatter crap all over the place. Some don't. The ORC that Sam is using has a nice soft igniter. When the lamp fires, the igniter does not emit a 110 db SPL from the spark gap like some other manufacturers do. It is so smooth and quiet that all you hear is a lady-like "Plink" [Wink]

Just like starting an R-3350 aircraft engine. A few macho farts from the ehaust stacks (and sometimes from the carburator intake) and a HUGE cloud of engine oil smoke, it is running! (provided, of course, that you didn't bust a piston or blow a jug in the process of trying to start it.) [Eek!]

With a turbojet engine, ignition sounds like a lady-like "poot" and it is running. No muss, no fuss with smoke being emitted from the tail pipe of the engine. (unless you have a wet start) [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 04-28-2003, 09:58 PM:

It's definitely best to vent it, there may not be a LOT of ozone but I would rather not have my home air ozone-enhanced. I regularly run lamphouses on test inside without a vent and I don't notice any smell or problems, bit our shop is large and a bit drafty. I have noticed that ozone smell when entering booths where an unvented lamphouse is operating.
The heat is a question. You probably have air conditioning, so you have to consider whether cooling the extra heat load from the lamp is cheaper than cooling and dehumidifying the make-up air that's going to be sucked in from outside when you have the vented lamphouse blower running... the places I've been in Louisiana have featured hot and humid air most of the year. Probably the cost difference won't be huge, but it's going to cost you extra in A/C either way.

Posted by Philippe Laude (Member # 79) on 04-29-2003, 02:41 AM:

Vent it! Definitely, because venting the lamphouse is cooling the bulb and thus increasing its life, and yours!

Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 04-29-2003, 03:15 AM:

... but what about all the portable xenon machines that are not vented, such as the Eikis and Elmos for 16mm, and the portable 35mm such as Westar (and a few other chinese ones) ???

Posted by John Anastasio (Member # 607) on 04-29-2003, 05:08 AM:

They have much smaller lamps, which produce less ozone. They're not in constant use, like a booth machine. Usually they're not in a booth at all, but out in the open where there's plenty of air replenishment. In installations where they're enclosed, it's best to have them under a vented hood. One of the biggest offenders in small offices is the copy machine. The corona wires inside create ozone and the machines can irritate the heck out of your eyes. [eyes]

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-29-2003, 09:21 AM:

Ozone you breathe = BAD [Frown]

(harmful to health)

Ozone in stratosphere = GOOD [Smile]

(reduces harmful UV radiation)

http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/headline_042203.htm

http://millimeter.com/ar/video_kodak_receives_epa/index.htm

Posted by Philippe Laude (Member # 79) on 05-02-2003, 09:00 AM:

John, I second what you wrote but do you remember that a few years ago you could buy machines producing ozone in almost every general stores? They were sold as "refreshing the air" and "good for your health".

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 05-02-2003, 09:14 AM:

quote:
...a few years ago you could buy machines producing ozone in almost every general stores? They were sold as "refreshing the air" and "good for your health".

Truth in advertising? NOT! [Eek!]