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Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Testing for Nottingham University Samworth Academy

Fume Cupboards

The Client

Nottingham University Samworth Academy is a secondary school and sixth form in Bilborough, Nottingham.

The Challenge

We attended the site to carry out the LEV Thorough Examination and Testing of the LEV systems and Fume Cupboards, under the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulation 9 (Maintenance, examination, and testing of control measures).

The Solution

The LEV Thorough Examination and Testing of the LEV systems and fume cupboards was carried out during the half-term break, so the LEV systems were not in use. Quantitative measurements were taken to compare with the design specification data and/or the previous test results.

Qualitative testing was also carried out using smoke and Tyndall illumination to visually appraise the effectiveness of the extraction hoods. Tyndall illumination was also used for testing each air cleaner’s performance, if recirculating back into the workspace, at the discharge/air outlet. A visual inspection and appraisal was also carried out on each of the LEV systems on the condition and suitability of each system in regard to the process and hazardous substances concerned.

Equipment used during this test included TSI VelociCalc; Model TA465-P Serial no: TA 4651316004, Electric Manometer, Hot Wire Anemometer, 100mm Vane Anemometer, Pitot Tube, Dust Lamp and Smoke tubes.

Tony Smedley was the Test Engineer who carried out this service. He has over 20 years of experience in ventilation engineering and workplace environment control and holds the following qualifications for the Testing of LEV systems.

  • BOHS W501 Measurement of Hazardous Substances – understanding of the techniques for assessing exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace and an understanding of how exposure information can be used to assess risk.
  • BOHS P604 Performance Evaluation, Commissioning and Management of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems – practical and theoretical understanding of how to fully commission or recommission an LEV system, to ensure that it has been designed properly and can effectively control airborne contaminants in the workplace.
  • BOHS W201 Basic Principles in Occupational Hygiene – understanding the broad principles of occupational hygiene as the basis for anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of hazards that can be encountered in the workplace.
  • BOHS’s practical management of LEV provided by the HSE.

The Results

This testing helped Samworth Academy maintain compliance with COSHH Regulations, kept students and teachers protected by making sure that exposures were adequately controlled, and helped the client avoid potential fines and prosecutions.