Can shop vacs suck up flammable items?

Question

I need to make one of those things that suck up fumes from chemicals. I want to use a shop vac to suck up the fumes from spray paint, can shop vacs do this or should you not suck up flammable items with a shop vac?

Answer 1

The electric motor may give off sparks and cause an ignition of the flammable gasses. This is the case with a lot of blower motors. For an explosion proof exhaust fan you might try this link:http://www.cincinnatifan.com/explosion-p...

Answer 2

Do NOT use a shop vac. You want to move the flammables out of the area, not contain them. You would be asking for a big explosion.

Answer 3

Most shop vacs have it clearly written on them , NOT FOR FLAMMABLES. try using an old furnace fan, it moves a lot more air

Answer 4

The vac will probably work however you may be enclosing the flammable fumes in a smaller area which will make them more explosive