Tempest Single Speed Electric PPV Fans: Reliable Positive Pressure Ventilation for Fire and Industrial Environments

Smoke and contaminated air are time-sensitive problems. Every minute a structure stays filled with combustion byproducts, hazardous gases, or industrial fumes is another minute personnel cannot safely enter and work. Gasoline-powered fans bring their own hazards into the equation, and battery units introduce charging logistics that fail when schedules are compressed. When a reliable AC power source is accessible, the Tempest Single Speed (SS) electric PPV fan series solves the ventilation problem directly: plug in, position correctly, and move air at up to 12,867 CFM with no fuel management and no battery replacement cycle to track.

What is a positive pressure ventilation fan and how does it work?

A positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan works by forcing a high-volume column of fresh air into a structure through one opening, which raises the internal pressure and pushes contaminated or smoke-laden air out through a designated exhaust opening. This is the opposite of older exhaust-only (negative pressure) methods, which pull air without creating the directed airflow path PPV generates. The result is a faster, more complete air exchange inside the structure.

The Tempest SS series achieves this with blade diameters from 16 to 24 inches and CFM outputs ranging from 8,748 CFM on the SS-18 to 12,867 CFM on the SS-24. At those flow rates, the fan cone of air covers a standard entry door opening fully, maximizing pressure buildup rather than spilling airflow around the blade perimeter. The single-speed design means the fan operates at its rated output every time it is switched on, with no partial-speed performance degradation from user adjustment. NFPA ventilation guidelines recognize PPV as an effective tactic when the inlet and exhaust openings are sized and positioned to match the fan’s output.

What CFM output does the Tempest SS Series deliver across all four sizes?

CFM output varies by blade diameter, and the Tempest SS series covers four distinct sizes so operators can match the fan to the structure rather than over- or under-powering the ventilation task. Selecting the wrong size wastes time and may leave residual contamination in dead-air zones.

The SS-16 (item 910-1200) uses a 1.5 HP motor to deliver 11,804 CFM despite its compact 16-inch blade, making it the highest CFM-per-inch option in the lineup. The SS-18 (item 910-1220) produces 8,748 CFM from a 1.5 HP motor and weighs 76 lbs, suitable for standard residential doorway positioning. The SS-21 (item 910-1240) steps up to 11,698 CFM from a 1.0 HP motor at 81 lbs. The SS-24 (item 910-1260) reaches the series ceiling of 12,867 CFM from a 1.0 HP motor at 90 lbs, providing the highest absolute airflow for large commercial bays, warehouses, or wide entryways. All four models are available in both 110V/60Hz and 200V/50Hz configurations with identical CFM and HP ratings across voltages.

What does a TEFC motor mean for PPV fan durability in field conditions?

TEFC stands for Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled. In a standard open-frame motor, the cooling air that circulates through the motor windings also carries dust, moisture, combustion particulates, and corrosive gases directly across the electrical components. In TEFC construction, the motor housing is sealed and an external fan moves ambient air over the motor’s outer surface to dissipate heat, never through the internals.

For fire and industrial ventilation applications, this construction difference is significant. Smoke particles, drywall dust from structure fires, and chemical fumes from industrial incidents are abrasive and conductive. Ingress into open motor windings accelerates insulation breakdown and bearing corrosion, leading to premature motor failure at precisely the moment reliability is most critical. The TEFC motors in the SS series are rated at 1.0 to 1.5 HP and are the same across both voltage variants, meaning the sealed construction is consistent whether the unit is operating on a North American 110V/60Hz circuit or an international 200V/50Hz supply. Motor longevity in dirty environments is a direct function of housing integrity, and TEFC provides it without adding operational complexity.

How does the SS Series dual voltage design support international deployment?

Many industrial facilities and international fire departments cannot use North American 110V/60Hz equipment without a transformer, which adds weight, cost, and a potential failure point in the power supply chain. The Tempest SS series addresses this directly by offering every blade size in a 200V/50Hz variant with the same mechanical specifications, the same CFM ratings, and the same TEFC motor HP.

Item numbers 910-1218 (16″), 910-1238 (18″), 910-1258 (21″), and 910-1278 (24″) are the 200V/50Hz variants. They weigh identically to their 110V counterparts (74, 76, 81, and 90 lbs respectively) and produce the same CFM outputs. This means procurement teams at international industrial sites or fire services operating on European or Asian power grids can specify the same product family as North American counterparts without requalification. Spare parts inventory is simplified, and technicians trained on one voltage variant understand the other. The fans are designed, fabricated, and built in the USA at Tempest’s facility in Fresno, California, which centralizes the manufacturing quality baseline regardless of which voltage variant ships.

When is an electric single speed PPV fan the right choice over a gasoline or battery unit?

The choice between power sources in PPV fans comes down to three operational factors: power availability, hazard environment, and total cost of ownership over the deployment lifecycle. Electric single speed units win on all three criteria when reliable AC power is accessible at or near the deployment site.

Gasoline-powered PPV fans generate combustion exhaust, which introduces carbon monoxide risk inside confined or partially-enclosed spaces. They require fuel storage, engine maintenance, oil changes, and carburetor service. Battery-powered PPV fans eliminate the exhaust problem but introduce charging logistics: a depleted pack that was not recharged after the last deployment is a failed unit at the moment of need. The Tempest SS electric series has no fuel requirement, no battery cycle, and minimal maintenance beyond motor inspection and blade integrity checks. The SS-24 at 1.0 HP consuming grid power represents the lowest operating cost per CFM in the Tempest lineup. For facilities maintenance operations, fire stations with permanent structures, and industrial sites with fixed power distribution, the electric SS series is the lowest-total-cost ventilation solution.

What structural and storage features make the SS Series practical for repeated deployment?

A ventilation fan that is difficult to store or reposition creates deployment delays and physical strain on personnel. The Tempest SS series addresses both concerns through two specific design choices: a foldable handle and solid rubber wheels.

The foldable handle reduces the unit’s storage footprint, allowing the fan to fit into tighter compartment spaces on apparatus or in equipment storage rooms. Solid rubber wheels (rather than pneumatic tires) eliminate flat-tire risk during repositioning across rough terrain, gravel, or debris-covered floors, which are common conditions at fire incident scenes and industrial work sites. At 90 lbs, the SS-24 is the heaviest unit in the series, but the wheel system means one person can reposition it without lifting. These features matter most during extended operations where the fan may need to move between multiple ventilation points or be stored and redeployed multiple times across a single shift. The combination of compact storage geometry and terrain-capable wheels means the fan is ready when it needs to be, not when conditions cooperate.

Where are Tempest Single Speed Electric PPV Fans used in fire and industrial operations?

The SS series is deployed across structural fire ventilation, confined space entry preparation, post-incident air purification, and industrial hazardous atmosphere reduction. Structural fire departments use PPV fans immediately after knockdown to clear smoke from corridors and allow interior crews to work without SCBA in smoke-reduced environments, reducing air consumption and extending working time. The Firefighting Catalog | PE-Energy Industrial Supply includes the full range of ventilation tools suited to these tactical requirements.

Industrial facilities use the SS series for confined space pre-entry ventilation, where OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 requires atmospheric testing and ventilation before permit-required confined space entry. Warehouses, chemical plants, and processing facilities with fixed AC power infrastructure benefit from the electric design’s continuous runtime with no fuel interruption. For operations where exhaust-side air movement is needed rather than pressure-side, the Tempest Single-Speed Electric Smoke Ejector complements the SS PPV series by pulling contaminated air from targeted zones.

For maximum airflow in large industrial bays or wide commercial structures, the Tempest 24-IND Electric Powered Fan is a high-output alternative worth comparing against the SS-24 for facility-scale deployments. The complete range of ventilation units available for procurement can be reviewed in the Blowers and Fans Catalog, which covers multiple PPV, smoke ejector, and industrial blower configurations across several manufacturer lines.

How does the Tempest SS Series compare to other fans in the Tempest lineup?

The SS series occupies the entry-level price tier in the Tempest electric fan family, which is a deliberate positioning choice, not a specification compromise. Single speed operation removes the motor controller components required for variable-speed units, which reduces failure points and cost simultaneously. Where variable speed is needed, such as when operators must balance airflow against open flame risk or modulate pressure for HVAC-sensitive structures, a variable speed unit is the correct specification. The SS series is not that product.

The SS series also does not replace gasoline-powered units for deployments where grid power is unavailable, such as wildland interface incidents, remote industrial sites, or vehicle accident scenes on non-electrified roadways. In those environments, a gasoline PPV fan remains the only portable option. Within its defined use case, however, the SS series delivers competitive CFM outputs: the SS-24’s 12,867 CFM from a 1.0 HP motor is a strong output-to-horsepower ratio that reflects efficient blade geometry and motor sizing. The TEFC motor construction, dual voltage availability, and Made-in-USA build quality position the SS series as a long-service-life asset for facility-based fire and industrial ventilation programs.

The Tempest Single Speed Electric PPV Fan series is the correct specification when AC power is reliably available at the deployment site, when total cost of ownership matters over a multi-year operational period, and when the application is facility-based structural, industrial, or maintenance ventilation. It is not the right choice for remote deployments without grid access, for applications requiring variable airflow control, or for operations where the power supply is uncertain. Within those defined parameters, the SS series, from the 16-inch SS-16 at 11,804 CFM through the 24-inch SS-24 at 12,867 CFM, provides dependable, low-maintenance positive pressure ventilation backed by TEFC motor construction and dual-voltage availability from a USA-manufactured product line.

Tempest Fire & Industrial

Single Speed Electric PPV Fans

16″–24″ Sizes | 110V & 200V | Up to 12,867 CFM | Made in USA

Overview

The Tempest Single Speed (SS) electric fans are plug-in positive pressure ventilation fans for fire and industrial applications where AC power is available. Available in 16″, 18″, 21″, and 24″ configurations with both 110V/60Hz and 200V/50Hz electrical options, the SS series covers international deployment requirements.

With CFM outputs from 8,748 to 12,867 CFM, the SS series provides reliable, consistent ventilation at a lower upfront cost than battery or gasoline alternatives — ideal for facilities, maintenance operations, and incidents near power sources.

Models & Ordering Information

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