LEV Testing & Certification
In the UK the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations has focused the attention of industry on the need to protect the workforce from exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.
COSHH requires that, no work that exposes anyone to substances hazardous to health, shall be carried out until an assessment has been made and appropriate control measures implemented.
COSHH lays down a step-by-step approach to those precautions. It sets out essential measures that employers – and employees – have to take. COSHH is also a useful tool of good management, which can bring many benefits including saving you money and help employees reach a better understanding of health and safety.
Our experienced test engineers use calibrated measurement equipment to assess system performance, identify deterioration and provide detailed reports with practical recommendations for maintenance, improvement or modification.
Why Does LEV Testing Matter?
COSHH requires employers to assess exposure to substances hazardous to health and implement appropriate control measures. Where LEV is used as an engineering control, that system must be maintained so that it continues to provide effective control.
As with any engineering control incorporating mechanical components, LEV systems are subject to wear and tear. Filters can become blocked, ductwork can deteriorate, fans can lose performance and changes to machinery or working practices can affect the effectiveness of the original system.
A Thorough Examination & Test provides a detailed assessment of the LEV system to establish whether it can continue to perform as intended and whether adequate control is being achieved.
The assessment can also identify why system performance has deteriorated and whether modifications, servicing or other remedial works are required.
COSHH LEV Thorough Examination & Testing
Under COSHH Regulation 9, LEV systems must undergo a Thorough Examination and Test at legally prescribed intervals.
For most LEV systems, the maximum interval is 14 months, although certain higher-risk processes require more frequent examination and testing. Where wear and tear or the nature of the process means that system effectiveness could deteriorate between examinations, more frequent testing may also be appropriate.
Typical statutory testing intervals include:
| Process / Activity | Minimum testing frequency |
|---|---|
| Jute cloth manufacture | Every 1 month |
| Blasting or shot blasting associated with cleaning metal castings | Every 1 month |
| Processes giving off dust or fume where non-ferrous metal castings are produced | Every 6 months |
| Dry grinding, abrading or polishing of metal using mechanical power for more than 12 hours per week | Every 6 months |
| Most other standard LEV applications | Maximum 14 months |
The appropriate testing interval should always be considered in relation to the process, substance, equipment and rate of deterioration.
What Does an LEV Thorough Examination Include?
Our testing is tailored to the LEV installation and the process it is controlling.
Depending upon the system, testing and assessment can include:
- Examination of the LEV system and extraction equipment
- Airflow measurements
- Air velocity measurements
- Static pressure measurements
- Duct velocity and transport velocity measurements
- Hood and capture performance
- Fan performance
- Filter condition and differential pressure
- Examination of ductwork and flexible connections
- Examination of extraction hoods and enclosures
- Smoke testing and visualisation of airflow
- Assessment of system discharge
- Review of system operating conditions
- Assessment of changes to workplace processes or substances
- Comparison with original Initial Appraisal results
- Comparison with previous years' test data
- Assessment of whether the system remains suitable for the process
Where appropriate, we can also carry out real-time monitoring and data logging of critical process parameters including duct or LEV temperature, air flow, relative humidity, filter differential pressure and system static pressure.
This information can help identify the cause of premature filter blinding, reduced airflow or other changes in system performance.
LEV Testing Equipment & Instrumentation
R&B Industrial uses calibrated test instrumentation appropriate to the system and measurements being undertaken.
This includes:
- Digital manometers with Pitot tubes
- Air velocity hot-wire anemometers
- Vane anemometers
- Real-time dust monitors
- VOC/PID monitors
- Personal sampling equipment
- Impingers and associated sampling equipment
- Draeger Air Flow-check equipment
- Smoke tubes
- High-powered torches and dust lamps
The use of appropriate measurement equipment enables system performance to be assessed using quantitative data rather than relying solely on visual inspection.
Comparing Current Performance with Previous Results
An important part of LEV testing is understanding how the system has changed over time.
Where previous information is available, testing data can be compared against:
- The original LEV Initial Appraisal
- Original design information
- Previous Thorough Examination & Test reports
- System logbooks
- Previous airflow and pressure measurements
- Changes in operational work practices
- Changes to substances or materials being used
This allows deterioration in system performance to be identified and provides a useful history of the LEV installation.
HSE guidance also recommends using the commissioning report, user manual, system logbook and previous TExT report when carrying out statutory examination and testing.
LEV Servicing & Minor Remedial Works
R&B Industrial’s test engineers are also trained in LEV system servicing and maintenance.
Where safe, competent and covered by the appropriate risk assessment, minor remedial works can often be undertaken during the visit. This can avoid the need for a separate return visit and reduce disruption and cost.
Typical minor remedial works may include:
- Correcting fan direction
- Adjusting airflow dampers
- Checking for blockages
- Clearing or identifying blocked filters
- Checking ductwork
- Adjusting fan belt tension
- Identifying damaged flexible connections
- Making recommendations for filter replacement
- Identifying areas requiring system modification
For larger remedial requirements, our engineering team can support the design, manufacture and installation of the required modifications.
Testing of ATEX & DSEAR LEV Systems
Our services also extend to LEV systems operating within potentially explosive atmospheres.
Additional checks may include:
- Appropriate filter media, including conductive or antistatic materials
- Filter media conductivity testing
- Ducting and equipment earth bonding
- Airflow in relation to hazardous area classification
- Airflow alarm operation and calibration
- Fan and electrical equipment zoning
- Equipment category and protection
- Potential ignition sources
- Maintenance of airflow required to maintain hazardous area classification
This provides an integrated approach where LEV performance and ATEX/DSEAR requirements overlap.
Reporting & Recommendations
Following the examination and test, we provide detailed reports containing relevant test data and recommendations.
Reports can include:
- Full test results
- Comparison with initial appraisal data
- Reasons for significant differences in performance
- System diagrams
- Discharge and stack information
- Environmental considerations
- Changes in work practices or substances
- Design improvements
- Maintenance recommendations
- Modification requirements
- Remedial recommendations
Our objective is not simply to identify defects, but to help determine the practical measures required to restore or maintain effective control.
Why Choose R&B Industrial for LEV Testing?
R&B Industrial combines occupational hygiene, LEV testing and engineering expertise.
This means that where an examination identifies a problem, we can provide practical advice and, where required, support the design and implementation of the solution.
Our LEV services include:
- Initial LEV appraisals and assessments
- Thorough Examination & Testing
- Periodic testing programmes
- LEV servicing and maintenance
- Performance analysis and data logging
- ATEX/DSEAR LEV assessments
- Minor remedial works
- System design and design appraisal
- Ventilation balancing and commissioning
- Engineering modifications and improvements
We work across a wide range of industrial processes and extraction systems, including dust and fume extractors, electrostatic precipitators, wet and dry scrubbers, paint booths and systems handling highly hazardous products.