Local exhaust ventilation systems aren’t just used for healthcare and scientific locations, such as hospitals and research laboratories, but for schools and colleges as well.
Tecomak Environmental Services provide a range of LEV services in schools, colleges and universities. Here we examine why it’s important for pupils and staff that any potentially harmful contaminants are safely removed from the classroom.
Certain Types of Lessons
Chemistry lessons are a prime example of the need for an effective local exhaust ventilation system. This is because the materials which are used in a practical session can be harmful to human health. Even if substances are safe, they are often combined in an experiment to produce a by-product, such as a noxious fume or gas, which can be hazardous and needs to be filtered out of the classroom.
Design and technology workshops, as well as metalwork and woodworking classes, can produce a lot of fumes and dust through sawing, sanding, soldering and other manufacturing processes. Solvent-based varnishes, glues and paints can also give off harmful fumes and dust which need to be filtered out of the classroom’s atmosphere.
The Age of the People Involved
Pupils’ bodies and immune systems aren’t as fully developed as those of adults. This can make them move vulnerable to respiratory conditions, such as asthma, particularly when there’s a lot of dust around.
Certain gases can lead to skin and eye irritation can also result from exposure to harmful pathogens, while exposure to chemicals which are heated up during welding and metal cutting lessons can lead to a condition known as Metal Fume Fever.
While staff may be less susceptible to health problems because of their age, they will often be exposed to the potential perils several times a day during separate lessons with different classes.
The Need for Regulatory Compliance
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulation was last updated in 2004 and is designed to protect employees in the workplace from being exposed to harmful materials. To fully comply with COSHH, schools and colleges have to ensure that:
The Health and Safety Executive has brought a number of prosecutions under the regulations in recent years against schools, governors and local authorities. Some have been hit with substantial fines – well into five figures – as well the extra expense of rectifying the shortfalls which brought about the prosecution in the first place. There is also the added issue of reputational damage.
LEV Services from Tecomak Environmental Services
Local exhaust ventilation systems need to be inspected at least once every 14 months, according to COSHH. Tecomak Environmental Service’s engineers can produce a testing and maintenance schedule for you, including reminders, so you shouldn’t fall behind with your statutory obligations. We pride ourselves on our work’s quality and competitive prices – if any spare parts are required, we will provide them at no extra cost.
Tecomak test and maintain all types of systems as we are not tied to one particular manufacturer. If any repairs are necessary, we will try to carry them out at the same time as the testing visit. We are happy to work during the school holidays and on other ‘after hours’ occasions to minimise disruption in the classroom. Our admin department keeps copies of every report we issue for at least 10 years.
If you would like to know more about our LEV services for schools, colleges and universities, follow this link and fill in the online form or call us on 01732 852250. We also offer a range of other services for schools and colleges, including fume cupboard testing and gas safety testing and maintenance. Our sister company, Tecomak Furniture Solutions, also supplies a high-quality range of bespoke and off-the-shelf furniture for all types of classrooms.