Vacuum, dust extraction - H class

[OldKettle]

Hi,
I am slowly (very slowly) renovating a 1950s house. I haven't had any materials tested, but lots of the walls and ceilings are painted with very old paint, I found an asbestos pipe and there is plenty of brick, plasterboard and wood dust.

Having kids in the house, I am particularly concerned about reducing exposure to dust.

I understand that most people would use some kind of M class dust extraction, but because of the potential old paint and the potential (however small) to come across more asbestos, I have looked at some H class vacuums, such as this Numatic HZ200:

Can I use that to vacuum up any dust, but also as an effective dust extractor (probably mainly for woodwork, but likely wall chasing also)?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[SammyInnit]

Yes bar asbestos.

 

[OldKettle]

Thanks Sammy.

As it is H Class I believed that would be OK for asbestos too.

I don't actually have any definite asbestos to clear, and if I did I wouldn't do it myself, so it is really just erring on the side of caution, because I don't know 100% what is in any given surface.

 

[SammyInnit]

Thanks Sammy.

As it is H Class I believed that would be OK for asbestos too.

I don't actually have any definite asbestos to clear, and if I did I wouldn't do it myself, so it is really just erring on the side of caution, because I don't know 100% what is in any given surface.

It will be suitable but I should have been clearer, it's not really practical to do so unless you're trained.

 

[blup]

You have to think about the maintenance of the extractor which in addition to removing the hazardhous dust, will be covered with it as will your clothing. Also if you pay someone to do the work will they be any more careful than you.

Maybe try to identify the extent of the risk first.

Blup

 

[OldKettle]

You have to think about the maintenance of the extractor which in addition to removing the hazardous dust, will be covered with it as will your clothing.

Thanks. How often would the vacuum need maintenance?

As far as I can see the main items are the HEPA filter and the secondary "Permatex" filter.

I assume that these will need to be cleaned and inspected periodically.

I think that the vast majority of cleaning up and direct extraction would fall under M class (wood, brick and plaster dust), but I don't want to buy two machines.

So, I'm thinking that if I get an H Class machine, that will handle all of the M class work, but also give me the H class protection, just in case I do happen to clean up something, without realising that there is something nastier in there.

I've no real reason to think that there is asbestos, except it's a fairly old house so you never know. I do think that some of the paint on the plaster is likely lead, just because it probably 70s or earlier and, in many places, bright yellow. It's only becoming a problem, because I'm breaking off tiles that were previously stuck straight to the painted plaster.

 

[blup]

I'm not an expert and use a Nilfisk Aero 26-21 which is on at Screwfix for a very good price. It has a HEPA quality filter which suits my needs.

By maintenance I mean cleaning the outside of the machine as well any tools or clothing which come into contact with the dust.

It's your judgement call at the end of the day.

Blup

 

[Deleted member 174758]

So, I'm thinking that if I get an H Class machine, that will handle all of the M class work, but also give me the H class protection, just in case I do happen to clean up something, without realising that there is something nastier in there.

I think you are missing a few things. Once you have picked-up asbestos, how do you (a) dispose of it, (b) decontaminate the vacuum and (c) decontaminate yourself and your clothes. While you are about it have you considered the sort of clothing and types of PPE (masks, etc) that you may need to deal with even low-risk asbestos containing materials? (BTW the answer to the masks question is FF or face-fitted P3 dust mask, but you must be clean shaven) Don't follow through and you'll potentially contaminate more of the house. I'm not saying don't buy it - I am saying that you need to identify potential and actual sources of asbestos and put some sort of handling plan in place before you start work and that an H-class vacuum alone isn't the solution. Plenty of stuff on the HSE website about household asbestos, also on the UKATA site

If you do pick-up asbestos the vacuum cleaner will only give you protection if it is used as part of a system. That means that in any area where there is potentially asbestos it will be necessary to isolate the area and thoroughly decontaminate the clothes of anyone working in there together with any equipment used in there - for a human that involves wearing an FFP3 mask, coveralls with hood, overshoes and gloves In other words once the vacuum has become contaminated it will need to be thoroughly decontaminated each and every

 

[OldKettle]

Thanks for all of this.

I now have a new problem. I did proceed to buy an H Class vac which arrived today. When I opened it up to look inside, I found a bunch of scratches on the outside of the interceptor, along with a coating of fine black dust.

I contacted the manufacturer, who said that they could not explain the scratches or the dust, and that the machine would have been sent out from them in a pristine condition.

I sent a photo to the supplier who said that I may have been "sent a return by mistake"

If it has been used to vacuum up asbestos, and then returned, do you think there is much risk of exposure just from opening it up to inspect it?

 

[SammyInnit]

If it has been used to vacuum up asbestos, and then returned, do you think there is much risk of exposure just from opening it up to inspect it?

Yes