How often does local exhaust ventilation (LEV) need a thorough examination and test?
- 2tasks
- 5sources
- checked on
- Englandscope
At least once every 14 months. This is a legal requirement under the COSHH Regulations, and a few listed processes need more frequent testing.
What to do, and how often
| Task | How often | Who | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorough examination and test of each LEV system by a competent person | Every 14 monthsMaximum of 14 months; Schedule 4 of COSHH sets shorter intervals for certain processes | Employer, using a competent LEV examiner | Law Regulation 9(2) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 requires thorough examination and testing at least once every 14 months, or more often for processes listed in Schedule 4. SourcesS1S2S4 |
| Routine user checks of the LEV system (airflow indicators, hoods, ducts and filters) | No fixed intervalDaily, weekly and monthly checks as set out in the system's user manual and logbook | Operators and supervisors | Guidance HSE's guidance describes daily checks by operators and weekly or monthly checks by supervisors, recorded in the system logbook. SourcesS4 |
The law
Regulation 9 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 requires employers to maintain control measures in efficient working order and to have local exhaust ventilation thoroughly examined and tested at least once every 14 months. HSE says the record must be kept for at least 5 years.
The standard
No British Standard sets the interval: it is in legislation. HSE's HSG258 (Controlling airborne contaminants at work) is the main technical guidance.
Records to keep
- Thorough examination and test report for each system, kept for at least 5 years
- LEV logbook with routine checks
- Commissioning report and user manual
- Test labels on hoods (recommended by HSE, not legally required)
Notes
LEV is extraction that removes dust, fume or vapour at source, for example fume cupboards and workshop extraction in schools. HSE says most systems are examined and tested once a year, with 14 months as the legal maximum. HSE says more frequent testing may be needed where wear and tear could reduce performance sooner.
Who delivers this in the group
Not a group service
This is not delivered by an AMPM Group company. It is listed because building managers need the whole picture.
Questions people ask
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV): which tasks are legal requirements?
1 task on this page rests on legislation: thorough examination and test of each LEV system by a competent person (every 14 months). The other 1 task is recommended by guidance, and is not a legal requirement in itself.
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV): who should carry out each task?
Employer, using a competent LEV examiner: thorough examination and test of each LEV system by a competent person. Operators and supervisors: routine user checks of the LEV system (airflow indicators, hoods, ducts and filters).
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV): what records should you keep?
Keep these records: thorough examination and test report for each system, kept for at least 5 years; LEV logbook with routine checks; commissioning report and user manual; test labels on hoods (recommended by HSE, not legally required).
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV): which tasks have no fixed interval?
Routine user checks of the LEV system (airflow indicators, hoods, ducts and filters): daily, weekly and monthly checks as set out in the system's user manual and logbook.
Sources
Every task and legal statement is supported by at least one source fetched over HTTPS and read on the date shown. Quotes are verbatim and 25 words or fewer. A second, independent verification pass re-fetched every source and re-read the legislation on 5 October 2026. Intervals taken from British Standards were checked against published summaries of those standards by trade bodies and government guidance, because the standards themselves are paid publications.
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legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Revised text as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“in the case of local exhaust ventilation plant, at least once every 14 months”
Supports: Legal duty: thorough examination and test at least once every 14 months
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Local exhaust ventilation (LEV): frequently asked questions ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Page as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“should also arrange a thorough examination and test at least every 14 months”
Supports: HSE confirmation of the 14 month interval
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Local exhaust ventilation (LEV): frequently asked questions ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Page as shown on 5 October 2026 · read on
“must keep this record for at least 5 years”
Supports: Records must be kept for at least 5 years
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Clearing the air: A simple guide to buying and using local exhaust ventilation (INDG408 rev1) ↗
Health and Safety Executive · Published January 2016 · read on
“legally, you are allowed no more than 14 months between tests”
Supports: HSE leaflet: usually done annually, with a legal maximum of 14 months
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Good estate management for schools: Health and safety ↗
Department for Education (GOV.UK) · Updated 20 July 2026. Written for schools · read on
“They should be examined and tested at least every 14 months.”
Supports: Government schools guidance on fume cupboards and workshop LEV