LEV testing and inspection for workshops, kitchens, dust extraction and fume cupboards

LEV testing is the thorough examination and test of local exhaust ventilation - the hoods, ducting, fans and filters that capture dust, fume and vapour at source - and COSHH requires it at least once every 14 months. Rossair tests and inspects LEV across workshops, kitchens, dust extraction and fume cupboards, records the results and repairs what fails.

Book LEV testing

01420 566822

What we deliver

Thorough examination and test of local exhaust ventilation

Local exhaust ventilation protects people from harmful substances by capturing them before they reach the breathing zone. It only works while it performs as it did when commissioned, and filters clog, ducts leak, fans wear and hoods get moved. The thorough examination and test checks the system physically, measures airflow and makes a professional judgement on whether it still controls exposure. Each hood is checked, the results are recorded against the system’s commissioning data where it exists, and a prioritised list of remedial actions goes to you. Because we also repair and maintain ventilation plant, we can fix what the test finds rather than leaving you to find another contractor.

Thorough examination and test of workshop and process extraction
Dust extraction systems: hoods, ducts, fans, filters and airflow
Kitchen extraction systems
Fume cupboards and laboratory extract
Results recorded, with a prioritised list of remedial actions
Log book support: routine checks, maintenance and repairs recorded
Repairs and filter changes by the same engineers, then a retest

Plant room with large-bore ductwork, pipework and pumps

In detail

What LEV testing covers

The employer is responsible for keeping LEV in efficient working order, and for arranging the thorough examination and test. These are the types of system we test.

Workshop and process extraction

Extraction at welding bays, grinding and cutting stations, benches and machines is tested hood by hood: capture airflow, ductwork condition, fan performance and filter state. Where a process is listed in COSHH Schedule 4, the test frequency is shorter than 14 months, and we flag it when we agree the programme.

Dust extraction

Dust extraction from woodworking, sanding and similar machinery depends on airflow staying within design limits. We check hoods, ducting, collectors and filters, and note blockages, damage and any changes to the layout since the system was commissioned.

Kitchen extraction

Commercial kitchen extract systems are examined and tested as part of the same programme, so the canopy and extract plant are covered alongside the workshops and labs on site.

Industrial ventilation systems

Fume cupboards

Fume cupboards and laboratory extract systems are tested for face velocity and airflow, with the fan, ductwork and alarms checked. Fails are tagged, repaired and retested so the cupboard can go back into use.

Fume cupboard testing for schools and colleges

In college workshops and science labs

Colleges run workshops, labs and prep rooms from one estate, often with different extraction in each. We schedule the examinations around term dates and timetabled sessions, keep one record per system, and put LEV testing alongside the rest of the plant maintenance. Chichester College Group has 11 campuses under a single PPM contract with Rossair.

Fume cupboard testing in education

LEV within PPM

The 14-month cycle is easy to miss across a site or estate. Scheduling it within PPM gives you one calendar for LEV, ventilation and the rest of the plant, with test dates tracked and the 5-year record kept in one place.

PPM contracts

Ventilation testing from engineers who build and maintain it

14 months

Longest gap between LEV thorough examinations

5 years

Minimum time to keep the test record

Laboratories in the Sacred Heart High School science block

1973

Building services contractor since

Rossair designs, installs, commissions and maintains ventilation plant, which is why an LEV test is not a stand-alone paperwork exercise for us. At Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith we delivered mechanical and BMS installation for a 10-laboratory science block and sports hall (£820,000), including supply and extract ventilation, heat recovery and commissioning. Chichester College Group has been maintained for over 20 years under one PPM contract across 11 campuses.

Compliance

What the law and HSE guidance require

COSHH reg 9Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 9: LEV must be thoroughly examined and tested at least once every 14 months.
COSHH Schedule 4Sets shorter intervals for LEV used with specific processes. Blasting metal castings is one month; non-wet grinding of metal articles is six months.
HSG258HSE guide Controlling airborne contaminants at work: a guide to local exhaust ventilation (LEV), third edition.
RecordsA suitable record of examinations, tests and repairs, or a suitable summary, must be kept for at least five years.
CompetenceHSE says the person carrying out the test must be competent, with the knowledge, experience and skills to do it.
SafeContractorSafeContractor and Constructionline approved for work on client sites.

5 sectors

Sectors we serve

EducationCollege workshops, science labs and fume cupboards under one maintenance contract CommercialKitchen and workshop extraction in commercial premises Facilities Management14-month test dates tracked across a portfolio NHS HealthcareLaboratory and clinical extract tested around services Government & DefenceWorkshop and maintenance bay extraction

Related services

Industrial ventilation systemsDesign, installation and maintenance of industrial extract and ventilation.HVAC maintenanceVentilation, air conditioning and heating maintenance for contract clients.PPM contractsSFG20-scheduled PPM with LEV test dates tracked.Building management systemsControls and alarms for ventilation plant.Fume cupboard testingTesting and servicing for school and college science labs.TM44 inspectionsAir conditioning inspections arranged alongside LEV testing.

Frequently asked

Questions about LEV testing and inspection

What is LEV testing?

LEV testing is the thorough examination and test (TExT) of a local exhaust ventilation system. HSE describes it as a complete check in three parts: a physical examination, airflow measurements and professional judgement on how the system performs. The examiner checks the system against its commissioning data where available, labels the hoods tested, and gives you a prioritised list of remedial actions.

How often does LEV need testing?

At least once every 14 months under regulation 9 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. For LEV used with certain processes, Schedule 4 sets a shorter interval: one month for blasting metal castings, for example, and six months for non-wet grinding of metal articles. We check which interval applies to each system when we agree the programme.

Is LEV testing a legal requirement?

Yes. Employers must keep control measures in efficient working order, and COSHH requires LEV to be thoroughly examined and tested at the intervals above. You must also keep a suitable record of examinations, tests and repairs, or a summary of it, for at least five years. HSE guidance is HSG258, and a log book for routine checks, maintenance and repairs is part of keeping the system in order.

What systems can you test?

We test workshop and process extraction, dust extraction, kitchen extraction and fume cupboards. LEV testing is not only for laboratories: any extraction that captures dust, fume or vapour at source is in scope. If you are unsure whether a system counts as LEV, tell us what the equipment does and we will advise at survey.

Who is competent to carry out LEV testing?

HSE says the person doing the thorough examination and test must be competent to do so. Most businesses use a provider with specialist knowledge, experience and skills rather than doing it in-house. Whoever you choose, ask what training and experience the examiner has and what they will test and record, and make sure you receive a written report.

What happens if an LEV system fails the test?

The report lists the failures in priority order. We repair what we can, such as filters, belts, damaged ducting and fans, then retest, and quote any larger work separately. Until a failed system has been put right, you should not rely on it to control exposure, and you may need to stop the process or change the way it is used.

How much does LEV testing cost?

Price depends on the number of systems and hoods, how complex the extraction is, whether the commissioning data exists and how many sites are involved. Repairs and filters are quoted separately once the test is done. We quote after a survey so you can see what is included before the work is booked.

If we’re not the right fit, we’ll tell you who is

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