Case Studies

Burgun Engineering was called to inspect a newly installed Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system at a woodworking facility. The system appeared operational and was supported by manufacturer installation instructions for the filter housing. However, on closer inspection, several major safety and compliance concerns were identified.

A long-overlooked LEV system continued to operate — and discharge to atmosphere — for years due to unqualified inspections. Our investigation exposed zero control, historical asbestos risk, and the true cost of poor competency. A stark reminder that LEV testing is not a paperwork exercise; it’s a life safety responsibility.

During a recent inspection of a woodworking LEV system, our engineers identified a series of serious faults that had been missed in a previous examination — just one month earlier. The system, used for extracting fine hardwood dust, had been operating well below safe performance levels and presented both occupational hygiene and explosion safety risks to the workforce.

"We’ve Got Ventilation — Isn’t That Enough?" This is one of the most dangerous assumptions made by site managers, business owners, and even health and safety officers: “We’ve got windows open and fans running — we’re ventilated.” Wrong. There’s a massive difference between general ventilation and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) — and choosing the wrong one could expose your workers to serious, long-term harm. Let’s break it down.

Recently, we were called to test a Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system used in the manufacture of seals for submersible suits. The process sounded simple enough — 1.5-metre-long rubber seals glued and joined in one continuous length — but the reality was a perfect example of why proper understanding of LEV use is critical.

When it comes to improving your home, ventilation is one of the most overlooked elements. People often ask: “Can I put MVHR into my renovation or refit?” The short answer? Yes... 100% yes.

But before you rush to install a unit, there are a few important things to understand about how MVHR works, why airtightness is essential, and why extraction systems in most homes are simply not up to the job.