LEV Services for Schools & Colleges

Tecomak offers a complete LEV Examination and testing service to ensure compliance with the COSHH regulations. Common types of LEV system used in Schools and Colleges include:

  • Ducted Fume Cupboards
  • Recirculating / Filtered Fume Cupboards
  • Fume Extract Arms and Hoods
  • Dust Extract Systems for Woodworking
  • Fume Extraction Systems for Metalworking
  • Laser Cutter Fume Extraction
  • Solder Extract Fume Extraction
  • Chemical Stores Rooms & Cabinets
  • Microbiological Safety Cabinets

Tecomak has been testing LEV systems for over 40 years and has extensive knowledge and experience to ensure the most appropriate advice is given. Whilst focusing on compliance we take a long term, balanced approach offering our clients solutions that can reduce long term maintenance and running costs whilst also improving safety.

Tecomak’s test and maintenance engineers are professionally qualified (British Occupational Hygiene Society P601), has at least 5 years’ experience and are DBS certified.

Cost Effective Service

We carry out test and maintenance of fume cupboards and LEVs at over 900 educational settings across the UK. This allows us to offer an unrivalled combination of expertise, customer service and value for money.

Here’s how our education service offers best value:

  • Testing filters correctly and only recommending replacements when actually required.
  • Ensuring recommended improvements reflect the level of use and application.
  • Buying spares (air filters, motors, drive belts etc) in bulk to ensure best value.
  • Free electronic copies of archived reports (held for 10 years).
  • Timely reminders for retests to ensure COSHH compliance.
  • Combining site visits with other schools in your area.
  • Professional test reports that are easy to understand.
  • Fixed price contracts available for up to 5 years.
  • Single contractor to manage all types of system, reducing overheads.
  • Free telephone consultancy service to clients.

Our staff are always keen to demonstrate how LEV systems are designed to function and how we access their performance. Clients that understand what we do are able to make more informed judgements when selecting new equipment, conducting risk assessments and prioritising future improvements. This ultimately leads to a safer and more productive environment to work and learn.

What is Local Exhaust Ventilation?

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is an engineering system designed to reduce employee exposure to airborne contaminants (dust, mist, fume, vapour, gas) in the workplace by capturing the SE1-3emission at source and transporting it to a safe emission point or to a filter/scrubber.

Employers need to work with designers, suppliers, installers and employees to effectively control exposure to airborne contaminants.

Suppliers must provide LEV that is fit for purpose, is shown to work and continues to work.

The LEV owner (school, college) must ensure controls are adequate. Everyone, including suppliers and users of the LEV, must be competent in the use of the LEV system.

The main LEV elements are:
  • A hood of some kind, where the contaminants enter the system
  • Ducting, which safely transports the contaminants to a filter/cleaner/exhaust point
  • Air cleaner/filter/scrubber
  • Air mover: a fan to power the system
  • Discharge: a safe point of air exhaust

When using LEV to control exposure, the employer must thoroughly assess the hazards to be controlled and be satisfied with the following:

  • The LEV system is fit for purpose
  • it is being used correctly by trained employees / students
  • The system is regularly maintained to remain effective
  • Records are kept to demonstrate the system is both effective and ongoing.

Having a good understanding of what hazards need to be controlled is crucial to ensure that the initial design is capable of achieving adequate control.

Please click here to download further information:

Information Sheet S1 – Compliance with the COSHH Regulations