Understanding Your Extraction Options

Every woodworking shop eventually outgrows the “bag-on-a-barrel” phase. Standalone units are localised extractors meant to serve a single machine intermittently. Centralised systems, on the other hand, feature engineered, fixed galvanised ductwork routed to a heavy-duty external or internal plant, often incorporating ATEX-rated explosion relief and automated filtration.

How they compare:

• Airflow Volume: Standalone units suffer severe suction drop-off as the collection bag fills. Centralised systems are engineered to maintain a constant, high-velocity airflow across all branches, regardless of the waste load.
• HSE Compliance: Relying on mobile units for continuous commercial production is highly risky and routinely fails Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) testing. Centralised systems guarantee compliance when properly maintained.
• Scalability: You cannot scale a standalone unit—you simply have to buy more of them, cluttering your floor space. A centralised system allows you to easily add blast gates and branch lines as you acquire new machinery.

The Hidden Costs of Inadequate Extraction

We understand the daily frustrations of an undersized extraction setup. There is the persistent layer of fine dust ruining your finishing room, the physical strain and mess of manually wrestling with 500-litre plastic waste bags every afternoon, and the constant underlying stress of a surprise HSE spot check.

While centralised systems require a higher upfront capital investment than buying off-the-shelf mobile units, the long-term benefits are undeniable. You gain a quieter shop floor (as the main fan is sited externally), fully automated filter cleaning, and 100% peace of mind.

Which Solution Fits Your Operation?

• The 1-to-2 Man Joinery: If you operate a small bench joinery and only run one machine at a time, high-end standalone units with proper fine-dust filters are usually sufficient.
• The Growing Manufacturer: If you run continuous shifts, operate automated CNCs, or employ multiple machinists working concurrently, a centralised extraction plant is legally and operationally mandatory.
• The Compromise Option: If an external silo isn’t in this year’s capital budget, we can design a modular, internal extraction plant. This utilises high-efficiency filtration with explosion isolation valves, allowing you to easily expand the system outward when you are ready.

The Engineering Process: How We Map Your Bespoke System

We don’t guess with your capital expenditure. Every bespoke extraction system we design follows a rigorous engineering framework to guarantee HSE compliance and maximum operational efficiency from day one. Here is exactly how we map your system:

• 1. The Site Survey & Data Capture: We log every woodworking machine on your floor, measure exact extraction port diameters, assess your waste types (e.g., MDF dust vs solid timber shavings), and calculate your concurrent usage to determine your true maximum air volume requirements.
• 2. Ductwork Mapping & Static Pressure Calculation: Airflow loses energy with every bend and metre of pipe. We digitally map the optimal routing for your ductwork, utilising large-radius bends and smooth-bore galvanised steel to minimise friction. We then calculate the total static pressure to ensure the furthest machine still achieves a capture velocity of 20+ m/s.
• 3. Plotting the Fan Curve: Using your total required air volume and total static pressure, we plot a precise fan curve. This allows us to specify an extraction fan that operates at its peak efficiency point, ensuring it never chokes under a heavy load.
• 4. Installation & LEV Commissioning: Our in-house installation team fits the bespoke ductwork and filtration plant. Crucially, before handover, we conduct a full statutory LEV test. We commission the system, balance the blast gates, and hand you a fully certified, compliant workspace.

Wood Dust Extraction FAQ

• What are the UK HSE exposure limits for wood dust? Under UK COSHH regulations, the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for both hardwood and softwood dust is strictly capped at 3 mg/m³ over an 8-hour time-weighted average. The HSE requires employers to reduce exposure to “as low as reasonably practicable” (ALARP).
• Who is legally qualified to perform an LEV test on my system? The HSE stipulates that the Thorough Examination and Testing (TExT) must be carried out by a “competent person”, typically an engineer holding a recognised qualification such as the BOHS P601 certificate. Our engineers provide fully certified statutory testing.
• Where should a commercial extraction plant be sited? Siting depends on your waste volume and DSEAR regulations. High-volume systems handling combustible dust are usually sited externally with ATEX-rated explosion relief panels.
• Why is my current woodworking dust extractor losing suction? Suction loss typically stems from blinded filter media, incorrectly balanced ductwork, or adding new machinery to a fan that is no longer large enough for the total air volume.
• When is a statutory LEV test legally required? By law, commercial wood dust extraction systems must undergo a Thorough Examination and Test (TExT) at least once every 14 months.
• How do I calculate the right size extraction system for my workshop? Proper sizing requires mapping machine port sizes, ductwork resistance, and concurrent usage. We provide a complete, free airflow assessment to guarantee your new system meets your demands.

Book Your Free LEV Airflow Assessment

Don’t guess with your capital expenditure or your HSE compliance. Book a free, no-obligation site survey with our extraction engineers.

What you get:

• Machine Audit: We measure the exact port sizes and requirements of your current (or incoming) woodworking machinery.
• Pressure Test: We measure the static pressure and capture velocity of your existing ductwork to pinpoint bottlenecks.
• Compliance Check: A visual DSEAR and COSHH assessment of your current waste handling.
• Bespoke Proposal: A fully engineered ductwork map and fan curve calculation tailored to your shop floor.