Local Exhaust Ventilation Testing

Local Exhaust Ventilation is used in many areas from industrial premises through to research laboratories to protect the health of individuals working with hazardous materials.

These Local Exhaust Ventilation systems must be maintained in a good working condition in order to effectively remove pollutants from the workplace and dispose of them in a safe manner.

The current legislation (COSHH Regulation 9, ‘Maintenance, examination and testing of control measures’) requires that Local Exhaust Ventilation systems are well maintained, thoroughly examined and tested at regular intervals.

The thorough testing and examination of LEV plants must be carried out at least every 14 months or more frequently for specific processes.

Clearwater qualified engineers follow the guidance in HSG 258 (Controlling airborne contaminants at work) when carrying our LEV testing. A variety of test methods are used including vane and hot wire anemometers to measure airflow, pitot tube to measure static pressure and smoke for visualisation. The test results are then compared to design parameters and also minimum parameters set out in HSG 258.

The findings are presented in Clearwater ’s own COSHH compliant test certificate for each system, with a summary detailing and prioritising any remedial works or performance improvements that are required. Records of the examination and testing must be kept for a period of not less than 5 years.