{"id":3584,"date":"2026-10-21T23:23:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T15:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/?p=3584"},"modified":"2026-10-21T23:23:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T15:23:40","slug":"how-to-store-an-explosion-proof-fan-properly-4b72-c9f117","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/21\/how-to-store-an-explosion-proof-fan-properly-4b72-c9f117\/","title":{"rendered":"How to store an explosion – proof fan properly?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey there, if you\u2019re here, chances are you\u2019ve got an explosion-proof fan you need to store \u2013 maybe you\u2019re a maintenance tech stowing one for a rig shutdown, a plant manager prepping for a new project, or just someone who\u2019s got a spare unit waiting for when the old one craps out. As a guy who\u2019s been supplying these bad boys for over a decade, I\u2019ve seen way too many customers mess up storage and end up with a fan that won\u2019t work when they need it most. One time, a refinery client stored a new explosion-proof (EXP) fan in a damp corner of their tool shed, and by the time they pulled it out for a emergency ventilation job, the motor windings were corroded so bad it shorted \u2013 cost \u2019em a week of downtime and a new motor. That\u2019s the last thing anyone wants, right? So let\u2019s break down exactly how to store an EXP fan the right way, no fancy jargon, just real-world tips I\u2019ve picked up. Explosion-proof Fan<\/a><\/p>\n

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First, let\u2019s get one thing straight: explosion-proof fans aren\u2019t your run-of-the-mill box fan. They\u2019re built for volatile environments \u2013 think oil refineries, chemical plants, grain silos, anywhere there\u2019s a risk of flammable gases or dust. That means they have specialized parts: sealed motors, explosion-proof enclosures, spark-resistant blades, maybe even grounding cables. Messing up storage can compromise those critical features, so every step matters.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with pre-storage prep, because you can\u2019t just toss a fan in a closet and call it a day. First thing: clean it. Dirt, oil, or dust buildup isn\u2019t just messy \u2013 for EXP fans, dust can get into the motor housing and trap moisture, or leave conductive residue that could cause a spark when you turn it on later. Here\u2019s how to do it right: unplug it (obviously, even if it\u2019s new), then wipe down the exterior with a dry, lint-free cloth. For stuck-on grime, a tiny bit of mild detergent and water works, but make sure you don\u2019t get water near the motor\u2019s terminal box \u2013 that\u2019s the explosion-proof enclosure, and getting water in there can break its seal. For the blades, if they\u2019re metal (most EXP fans use aluminum or steel for spark resistance), use a soft brush to get between the fins \u2013 no harsh scrubbing, you don\u2019t want to bend or nick them (a bent blade throws off balance, which can damage the motor later). Also, if it\u2019s got a grounding cable or other wiring, check for frays or cracks in the insulation. If you spot anything, tag it and get it fixed before storing \u2013 don\u2019t just hide a defective fan, that\u2019s a fire waiting to happen.<\/p>\n

Next, you need to inspect the explosion-proof enclosure specifically. That\u2019s the heart of why it\u2019s explosion-proof \u2013 those enclosures are designed to contain any internal explosion so it doesn\u2019t ignite the surrounding area. If the seal is broken, if there are dents that warp the housing, or if the threads on the terminal box are stripped, that\u2019s a huge no-go. Run a quick check: make sure all the enclosure bolts are tight (but don\u2019t over-tighten, that can crack the housing), and wipe the sealing surfaces with a dry cloth to get rid of any dust that could keep the seal from closing properly. If you find damage here, either fix it (your EXP fan supplier can help with that) or don\u2019t store it \u2013 you might as well scrap it, because it won\u2019t meet safety codes when you need it.<\/p>\n

Now, the storage location. This is non-negotiable for EXP fans. I\u2019ve seen people store them in unheated garages, basement corners, even outside under a tarp \u2013 that\u2019s a disaster waiting for a spark. Here\u2019s what you need: first, a climate-controlled, dry space. Temperature should be between 32\u00b0F (0\u00b0C) and 104\u00b0F (40\u00b0C) \u2013 avoid extreme heat or cold, because extremes can warp metal parts or dry out gaskets. Humidity is the big one \u2013 you want relative humidity below 60%. Too much moisture causes corrosion, especially on the motor\u2019s internal windings and the spark-resistant blades. A dry, climate-controlled warehouse is perfect, but if you don\u2019t have that, even a well-ventilated, above-ground storage room with a dehumidifier works. No basements, no tool sheds, no outdoor spots \u2013 period.<\/p>\n

Then, how you position the fan matters too. Don\u2019t lay it flat on the ground, especially if it\u2019s got a motor \u2013 laying it on its side can cause oil in the motor\u2019s bearings to drain unevenly, leading to premature wear. The best position is upright, like it\u2019s mounted on a wall. If you need to stack it with other equipment, put it on top of a solid crate or pallet, not directly on the floor, and never stack heavy stuff on top of it. One customer once stacked a 50-lb air compressor on a spare EXP fan \u2013 crushed the blade housing and bent the impeller, so they had to buy a new fan. Dumb, but easy to avoid. Also, keep it away from any chemicals or volatile materials \u2013 even if it\u2019s not running, fumes from paint, solvents, or gasoline can seep into the enclosure and damage the internal parts. So store it in a clean, empty space, no other hazardous stuff around it.<\/p>\n

Now, protecting the parts that can get damaged. Let\u2019s talk about gaskets and seals first \u2013 those rubber or silicone parts that keep moisture and dust out of the explosion-proof enclosure. If they dry out or crack, they lose their sealing ability. To keep them in shape, wipe them with a light coat of petroleum jelly (the plain kind, no added fragrances or chemicals) before storing. That keeps them flexible, not brittle. For the blades, if they\u2019re made of aluminum (most are), cover them with a soft, breathable cloth \u2013 not plastic, because plastic traps moisture. Plastic can also leave static, which might cause a spark when you uncover the fan later. And if the fan has a motor air vent (some EXP fans have them for cooling), plug it with a small, dry cotton ball or a piece of breathable tape \u2013 that keeps dust and bugs from getting inside. If you skip that, dust builds up in the vent and can block airflow when you use the fan, making it overheat.<\/p>\n

What about if you\u2019re storing the fan long-term, like 6 months or more? Then you need to do a few extra steps. First, rotate the impeller every 30 days. That means turn the blades by hand a quarter turn \u2013 this keeps the motor bearings from rusting up and the impeller shaft from sticking. If you leave it sitting for months without touching, the metal parts can seize together, and you\u2019ll have to take it apart to free it, which risks damaging the explosion-proof enclosure. Also, for the motor, if it\u2019s got a grease fitting, add a tiny bit of motor grease every 3 months \u2013 check the fan\u2019s manual for the right type, because EXP motors use specific grease that doesn\u2019t leave residue. One thing I\u2019ve learned: don\u2019t just rely on the manual \u2013 a lot of customers don\u2019t read it, so I always tell my clients to write the grease type and rotation schedule on a sticky note and tape it to the fan. That way, no one forgets.<\/p>\n

Another thing to watch for: pests. Mice, bugs, even birds can make a home in stored fans, especially if you\u2019re in a rural area. Mice love to chew on wiring insulation, and a chewed wire is a fire hazard when you turn the fan on. To keep them out, stuff small wire mesh into the air vents (make sure it\u2019s not too tight, so air can still circulate) and seal any gaps around the fan\u2019s base with a thin layer of caulk. No need for poison \u2013 mesh works way better, and you don\u2019t have to worry about dead rodents rotting inside the fan.<\/p>\n

Now, what about when you\u2019re ready to pull it out of storage? Don\u2019t just hook it up and flip the switch. Do a quick check first: remove any covers, wipe off the gaskets, make sure the impeller still spins freely (no sticking), and check the explosion-proof enclosure for any corrosion or damage. If you did all the storage steps right, it should work like new, but if you skipped even one (like storing it in a damp shed), you might spot that corrosion before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n

Let me hit on a few common mistakes I see all the time, because those are the ones that get people in trouble. First, storing an EXP fan the same way as a regular fan \u2013 that\u2019s a huge error. Regular fans can handle a little dampness, but EXP fans\u2019 critical parts can\u2019t. Second, ignoring the enclosure \u2013 I can\u2019t stress this enough. If the enclosure seal is broken, the fan is useless for hazardous areas, even if it looks fine otherwise. Third, using plastic covers \u2013 trust me, plastic traps moisture. Breathable cloth is the way to go. And finally, long-term storage without rotating the impeller \u2013 that\u2019s how you end up with a dead motor when you need it most.<\/p>\n

Now, I\u2019m not here to lecture \u2013 I\u2019m just a guy who\u2019s sold these fans for years and has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of storage. The thing is, when you store an explosion-proof fan right, it\u2019ll last way longer than a regular fan, and you won\u2019t have to drop cash on a new one when you need it. Plus, it\u2019ll keep your worksite safe when you put it to use.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019ve got a fan that\u2019s going into storage, or you\u2019re looking for a new explosion-proof fan that\u2019s built to hold up when you need it, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out for a chat. We can answer any questions you\u2019ve got about storage, maintenance, or picking the right fan for your job. We\u2019re not just suppliers \u2013 we know the ins and outs of these things, and we\u2019re here to make sure your equipment works when you need it, no surprises.<\/p>\n

Roof Ventilator<\/a> References<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 500: Hazardous (Classified) Locations<\/li>\n
  2. OSHA Guidelines for Selection, Installation, and Maintenance of Explosion-Proof Equipment<\/li>\n
  3. Manufacturer\u2019s Technical Manual for Explosion-Proof Ventilation Fans (Generic Industrial Grade)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Nantong Nanyang Fan Manufacturing Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    As one of the leading explosion-proof fan manufacturers and suppliers in China, we also support customized service with low price. Please feel free to buy discount explosion-proof fan made in China here from our factory. For quotation, contact us now.
    Address: North End of Jiuwei Port Bridge, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province
    E-mail: nyfji@126.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.nanyangfan.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hey there, if you\u2019re here, chances are you\u2019ve got an explosion-proof fan you need to store … How to store an explosion – proof fan properly?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":976,"featured_media":3584,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3547],"class_list":["post-3584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-explosion-proof-fan-49b9-caa172"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3584\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.valleychildtherapy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}