Anyone working in a heavy duty industrial or commercial environment will probably have at least a rough idea as to what dust and fume extraction systems are all about. They might not know the full science behind them, but chances are they’ll know what it is they do and why they’re important. After all, it’s hardly a secret that providing plenty of fresh air to breathe is (or at least should be) a pretty important priority for any business owner.
However, what’s often overlooked by those in charge of these kinds of businesses is just how important it is to make sure that all such extraction systems are kept in a good state of repair. More often than not, just as soon as the installation of the system is completed this tends to be the last time it is given any real thought…until of course it completely stops working altogether. And when this does happen, the consequences can be both expensive and harming to the business as a whole – not to mention its workforce.
The good news however is that while these kinds of systems tend to be rather complex to say the least, they’re actually pretty simple to read when it comes to identifying problems. In fact, with a little common sense and the use of your own senses, it’s generally possible to pick up on the vast majority of common issues before they have the chance to develop into something far more serious.
For example:
1 – Listen
There really isn’t such a thing as a 100% silent-running extraction system so at least a little noise is perfectly normal. However, if and when it becomes apparent that the noise the system is making is in any way unusual, chances are you’d be wise to have it looked at. This can be anything from a change in the type of noise it makes to the volume and right through to anything intermittent or unusual you pick up. Think of it as something of a ‘cry for help’ before it’s too late to fix the problem manifesting behind the scenes.
2 – See
Probably the most obvious sense to use when it comes to identifying problems with your extraction systems is sight. You might not have the tools, the experience or even the time to go about a full inspection of the whole installation, but this doesn’t mean you can’t at least keep an eye on its general appearance and performance. If, for example, you notice anything that’s coming loose, starting to rust, showing signs of fungus/mould growth, a birds nest or heading for a blockage…well, you know what to do!
3 – Feel
When an extraction system of any kind isn’t doing its job properly, it’s highly likely that you’ll be able to feel a difference in the air of the workplace itself. It could be anything from a change in the temperature to a feeling that the air just isn’t as fresh as it should be – anything out of the ordinary like this should not be taken for granted but instead looked into right away. And as it may be the workforce that’s spending the most time in the working area in question, it’s important to keep communication lines open to ensure that if they notice any such changes, they bring them to the appropriate person’s attention.
4 – Smell
Another tell-tale sign that something isn’t right with the extraction system of any given workplace is any kind of unusual smell in the air. All workplaces have their unique ‘fragrances’ that represent part of the normal comings and goings of what they do, but when and where things start to smell in any way unusual, it’s time to get the extraction systems examined. It could be a burning smell, the smell of something going rotten in the pipework or really anything else across the board – it’s always better to have these kinds of things looked into than to just ignore them and risk allowing a minor hiccup to become a major headache.
Periodic Inspection
The very best way of avoiding the most detrimental outcomes of all is to have the installation inspected and assessed in full on a regular basis. UK law states that all such systems should and must be kept in a good state of repair for the benefit of all employees – the only way of doing so being to bring in the professionals each year in order to see if things are working as they should be.