VENTILATION TESTING
If you have local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems, be they spray booths, welding hoods, exhaust slots on degreasing-baths or larger multi-point systems, the law says they must be thoroughly examined and tested at least every 14 months.
Typical Test Parameters
- Visual inspection for damage or corrosion
- Pressure drop across fan
- Pressure drop across bag filters or other arrestment plant
- Pressure behind exhaust hoods
- Air flow rate through main system and branch ducts
- Air flow rate at booth face, or in front of exhaust hood
- Visualisation of air flow characteristics at contamination source or containment interface
Information provided by the examination & test
- Is the systemikely to provide adequate control & containment?
- Does the system meet minimum standards of effective design and performance?
- Has there been any change in performance since the previous test?
- What action is necessary to achieve satisfactory performance?
- What maintenance/repairs will be needed to prevent forseeable loss of efficiency?
- Records must be kept 5 years
- HSE inspectors will always want to see them
- An essential element in defending compensation litigation