Air Filtration and Purification

Your risk assessment sets the requirement: the extraction must capture the contaminant at source before it reaches the operator's breathing zone, with enough airflow to achieve capture velocity at the hood. Local exhaust ventilation in use must then be thoroughly examined at least every fourteen months under COSHH. Match the machine's airflow to your assessment before buying.

Inspect the filter bags or cartridges for tears, blinding and patched repairs, since filters are the working heart of the machine. Run the fan and check for bearing noise and vibration, and confirm the motor matches your supply, as many bag units run 230 V single phase. Price in a fresh filter set when comparing listings.

If the dust can form an explosible cloud, and fine wood, plastic and many organic dusts can, the zoned parts of the installation need appropriately rated equipment and often explosion relief. This affects the fan, filter housing and electrics. Check rating plates on used equipment and confirm certification documents are included before purchase.

Recirculating cabinets filter the air and return it to the room, which avoids ducting but makes filter choice and replacement discipline critical, since a saturated filter passes fume unseen. Ducted extraction removes fume from the building entirely and suits continuous or high-volume sources. Confirm which filters a used cabinet takes and their availability before buying.

Mobile units travel on a pallet; installed systems are dismantled, with ducting rarely worth moving, so plan new duct runs for your own layout. Agree with the seller who disconnects and loads the plant. After installation, commission the system against your assessment and book the thorough examination before it enters routine use.