Hi,

We have extensive air handling units in our factory. They provide clean HEPA filter air and extraction exisiting to vent. This is for hyigene reasons and also to maintain a positive pressure atmosphere in these areas. We have CIP cleaning on a daily basis which vents steam/fume into the local areas through open tops of equipment or chimney stacks on vats. We have an atmospheric testing prgramme starting next week to identify levels in atmosphere during these tasks. The issue is the areas steam up badly during CIP washes and during other operations wear water/steam is present.

I have checked the regs, HSE website and google to see if the use of the air handling units would be considered LEV but cannot find an answer. Would anyone be able to assist with this?

I think the criterion is: is there extraction of substances hazardous to health out of the work area for the purpose of preventing inhalation of these substances?

From the limited information, I would say that these air handling units are not Local Exhaust Ventilation. Does not seem to have been installed to control / extract a hazardous substance

We have works going on externally on my building at the moment, LEV's are being used but we are still having fumes enter the building, the contractors have extended the hose on three separate occasions with little success, is it possible to exhaust the fumes into water as the building straddles a dock?