Tempest 24-HD-T-EP Explosion Proof Industrial Ventilation Fan: Extended-Height Hazardous Location Airflow for Oil and Gas Platforms

Most ventilation problems on an oil and gas site are not about cubic feet per minute. They are about reach. A standard fan sitting on a drill deck floor cannot clear a raised platform catwalk efficiently, and lifting heavy equipment onto elevated work surfaces in a potentially flammable atmosphere is exactly the kind of operation that creates incidents. The Tempest 24-HD-T-EP was built to eliminate that problem with a single engineering decision: add 2.5 feet of vertical frame height so the fan stays on the ground while the airflow reaches the work surface. Pair that with a fully explosion-proof motor and switch rated for Class I (Groups C and D) and Class II (Groups F and G) hazardous locations, and you have a unit that handles the two most common failure points of platform ventilation in one package.

What is the Tempest 24-HD-T-EP and how does it differ from the standard 24-HD?

The Tempest 24-HD-T-EP is a 1.0 HP explosion-proof general ventilation fan built on the same proven 24-HD platform, extended with a taller steel roll-cage frame that positions the 24-inch blade assembly 2.5 feet higher than the base model. That vertical addition is not cosmetic. It allows ground-level placement while directing 12,867 CFM of airflow onto raised platforms, catwalks, and elevated work areas that would otherwise require the fan to be repositioned or lifted.

The frame is constructed from welded 1-inch square steel tubing with a powder-coat finish, completely enclosing internal components. Full dimensions are 31 inches wide by 32.25 inches deep by 64.25 inches tall, and the unit weighs 150 lbs. (part number 913-1180). A second configuration, part number 913-1181 (the 24-HD-T-EP-H), ships with an additional explosion-proof switch at 152 lbs. Both variants share identical CFM output, motor rating, and hazardous-location certifications.

What hazardous location classifications does the 24-HD-T-EP carry?

The 24-HD-T-EP is rated for Class I (Groups C and D) and Class II (Groups F and G) hazardous environments. Class I covers locations where flammable gases or vapors may be present in sufficient concentrations to produce ignitable mixtures. Groups C and D specifically include ethylene and propane-family atmospheres, which are common in upstream oil and gas operations. Class II addresses combustible dust environments, covering carbonaceous dusts (Group F) and agricultural and similar dusts (Group G).

Both the motor and the ON/OFF switch are independently explosion-proof to meet these ratings. The motor is a 1.0 HP single-speed TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled) unit drawing approximately 14 amps on a 15-amp circuit. TEFC construction prevents internal sparks or heat from reaching the surrounding atmosphere, a non-negotiable requirement in hydrocarbon-rich environments. Understanding what these ratings mean in practice is essential before deploying any ventilation equipment on a live site. For a direct breakdown of the ignition risks involved, see When One Spark Could Kill Your Entire Crew… And Destroy Your Career.

How does the 24-HD-T-EP’s blade and motor assembly generate 12,867 CFM safely?

The blade assembly consists of eight composite blades bolted to a center hub, spanning 24 inches in diameter. Composite construction reduces the risk of spark generation on blade contact compared to metallic alternatives, a design priority when the fan operates inside Class I hazardous zones. The blades are bolted rather than pressed or welded to the hub, which allows field replacement without specialized tooling.

At 12,867 CFM, the unit delivers high-volume airflow capable of rapidly clearing accumulated vapors from a confined or semi-confined platform. The external steel wire grille uses a continuous circular wound design with eight tie points, finished with zinc plating and clear chromate to resist corrosion in humid or chemically active environments. The rolled steel shroud, also powder-coated, maintains blade tip clearance and channels the airflow column rather than allowing radial scatter that reduces effective reach on elevated work areas.

What does the 8-position adjustable tilt mechanism allow operators to do?

The 24-HD-T-EP includes a locking tilt mechanism with eight discrete positions, adjustable from 30 degrees upward to 50 degrees downward in 10-degree increments. This range gives operators precise control over airflow trajectory without moving the fan base, which is important when the fan is positioned in a congested deck area or chained to a fixed anchor point for safety compliance.

The downward range of 50 degrees is particularly useful when ventilating into below-deck openings, sumps, or low-clearance confined spaces that sit beneath the fan’s natural horizontal axis. The upward range of 30 degrees supports elevated platform work where the target zone is above the fan’s centerline. Each increment locks positively, preventing drift under motor vibration during sustained operation.

How do the dual wheels support safe transport in oil and gas environments?

The 24-HD-T-EP uses a two-tier wheel configuration: 10-inch solid rubber wheels with high-strength polymer hubs at the base for rolling across deck surfaces, and 6-inch hard rubber wheels positioned at the top of the frame for loading and unloading from truck beds and transport vehicles. This dual-wheel geometry means the unit can be tipped back onto the upper wheels and rolled up a truck ramp without requiring a separate lift or two-person carry for the upper end.

At 150 lbs., the 24-HD-T-EP is heavy relative to non-explosion-proof fans of similar CFM output. That weight comes directly from the TEFC motor housing, the welded steel roll-cage, and the extended frame. The wheel design compensates for that mass during repositioning, reducing the manual handling load that typically causes dropped equipment incidents on elevated or congested worksites.

What extension cord gauge and length limits apply to the 24-HD-T-EP in the field?

Voltage drop in long extension cord runs reduces motor performance and can push amperage draw past safe limits, which is a real operational problem when power sources are distant from the work area on large platforms or tank farms. The 24-HD-T-EP’s 1.0 HP TEFC motor draws approximately 14 amps, and Tempest specifies maximum cord lengths by gauge to maintain adequate voltage delivery.

Specified maximum lengths are: 14 AWG at 60 feet, 12 AWG at 95 feet, 10 AWG at 150 feet, 8 AWG at 240 feet, and 6 AWG at 380 feet. Field supervisors pulling power from a generator or panel more than 100 feet away should step up to 10 AWG minimum. Using undersized cord beyond these distances risks sustained undervoltage, which causes the TEFC motor to run hot, shortening winding insulation life and increasing the risk of motor failure in a location where swapping equipment requires the entire area to be cleared and declared safe first.

Where is the Tempest 24-HD-T-EP manufactured and what does USA fabrication mean for spare parts availability?

The 24-HD-T-EP is designed, fabricated, and built in the USA at Tempest’s facility in Fresno, California. Domestic fabrication for a product in this category matters for two practical reasons: replacement blade assemblies and frame components are not subject to international lead times, and the welded steel construction can be field-repaired by any competent welder without proprietary tooling.

The composite blade assembly is bolted to the center hub with standard hardware, meaning blade replacement after impact damage does not require returning the entire fan to a service depot. The powder-coat finish on both the frame and shroud resists the UV degradation and corrosive atmospheric exposure common in coastal and offshore-adjacent upstream environments. For reference on Tempest’s full product line and engineering documentation, see the Tempest official product site.

Where is the Tempest 24-HD-T-EP used in oil and gas and industrial operations?

The 24-HD-T-EP is deployed across upstream oil and gas applications where both elevated work surfaces and flammable atmosphere ratings are required simultaneously. Primary use cases include drill floor platform ventilation, production deck catwalk clearance, tank farm vapor dispersal during inspection and maintenance windows, and compressor building purge ventilation prior to hot-work permitting.

Industrial facilities using the fan outside of oil and gas include refineries, petrochemical processing units, grain elevator facilities (Class II Group G environments), and carbon black or coal dust handling areas (Class II Group F). Any environment requiring high-volume airflow in a hazardous location with an elevated target zone is a candidate application.

For operations that require explosion-proof ventilation without the extended height, the Tempest 24-IND Electric Powered Fan provides a ground-plane alternative. When a non-explosion-proof electric PPV fan is acceptable for the application, the Super Vac 718-EXP 7 Series Electric PPV and the Super Vac 718-E2 7 Series Electric PPV are comparable electric-powered units with different hazardous-location ratings. For sites where electrical supply is unavailable and the atmosphere is not classified as a flammable gas zone, the Super Vac V20-GX Valor Series Gas PPV offers gasoline-powered portability, though it is not rated for use in Class I environments.

When is the 24-HD-T-EP the right choice, and when is it not?

The 24-HD-T-EP is the correct specification when three conditions converge: the target ventilation zone is elevated above ground level, the atmosphere is classified Class I (Groups C or D) or Class II (Groups F or G), and the operation requires continuous ground-level fan placement without repositioning. The 12,867 CFM output, 2.5-foot extended frame, and dual explosion-proof motor and switch make it purpose-built for that combination.

It is not the right tool when the work area is at ground level and the extended height frame only adds weight and handling complexity. For ground-plane Class I ventilation without the tall frame, a standard 24-HD-EP configuration is a better fit. The 24-HD-T-EP is also not rated for inert-gas or oxygen-deficient atmospheres where ventilation alone is insufficient for entry compliance. In confined spaces requiring forced-air supply under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, a dedicated supplied-air system must accompany the ventilation fan. The 24-HD-T-EP moves air. It does not replace atmospheric monitoring or entry permitting procedures.

Tempest Industrial

24-HD-T-EP Explosion Proof Tall Industrial Fan

Extended Height for Raised Platforms | Oil & Gas Ready | Made in the USA

Overview

The Tempest 24-HD-T-EP is an explosion-proof industrial ventilation fan built specifically for oil & gas applications that require ventilation above raised platforms from ground level. Sharing the proven 24-HD design, the “T” extended-height frame adds 2.5 additional feet of vertical reach — a critical capability when platforms, catwalks, and elevated work areas must be ventilated without lifting or positioning the fan.

Rated for Class I (Groups C & D) and Class II (Groups F & G) hazardous environments, the 24-HD-T-EP delivers 12,867 CFM of ventilation safely in potentially flammable atmospheres.

Models & Ordering Information

*913-1181 (24-HD-T-EP-H) includes Explosion Proof Switch.

Manufacturer: Tempest — 4708 N. Blythe Avenue, Fresno, California 93722 USA — tempest.us.com