Brokk introduces fog sprayer for increased safety during demolition work

Brokk, the world's leading manufacturer of remote-controlled demolition robots, recently launched the "Brokk Atomized Water Mist. The most dangerous dust particles are the ones you can't see, which is why Brokk's new dust suppression system produces a atomized mist that effectively binds airborne dust particles, thus ensuring maximum dust suppression. Moreover, the fog disappears with the airflow instead of forming puddles, creating a safer and cleaner workplace. The fogger is available for all Brokk demolition robots and provides an ideal solution for controlling harmful silica dust in demolition applications.

"Safety is always paramount at Brokk; this is why, for more than 40 years, our engineers have been developing machines, attachments and technologies that enable operators to successfully complete the most dangerous and complex works." said Martin Krupicka, president and CEO of the Brokk Group. "However, silica dust remained a problem because it is difficult to capture. Previous methods of dust suppression contributed, but we strive for a better solution that optimizes safety without additional concerns."

Health and safety authorities have identified silica dust as a significant hazard and have adopted regulations limiting permissible exposure for construction and demolition workers. Compliance with these regulations has taken various forms in practice. People often opt to use spray systems, water hoses and sprinklers to control silica dust.

These measures are usually inefficient and often ineffective against crystallized silica dust. The problem lies in the size of the water droplets, which are much larger than the silica dust they are designed to capture. Silica particles range from 0.1 to 1,000 microns, while traditional methods produce water droplets that are 200 to 1,000 microns in size. The size and speed of the larger droplets cause air and thus silica particles to flow with them through a kind of "slipstream effect." Precipitation of dust through a water hose is the least efficient because it produces the largest droplets, but even smaller built-in systems produce large droplets that can deflect silica particles, which can then be inhaled.

Because silica particles are more likely to adhere to water droplets of a similar size, Brokk has developed a dust suppression system to produce mist droplets about 10 microns in size. This creates a mist of atomized water around the attachment that captures airborne dust particles for optimal dust suppression. The system is integrated into the mounting plate and not on the tool itself, as before, allowing us to offer operators silica dust protection with any Brokk attachment - including breakers, concrete cutters and drum cutters. It is equipped with an additional water pump that can be fed by a water hose or via a water tank.

In addition to superior dust suppression, the mist fogger requires less water than other methods - only 0.2 liters per minute - making it significantly more economical and environmentally friendly than most other spraying methods. This efficient use of water avoids puddles and slurry left by alternative methods, thereby reducing the need for cleaning on the shop floor and reducing the risk of accidents, e.g., slipping or tripping. This ultimately results in a safer and more efficient workplace.