Hotels never stop. Maintenance works must protect guests, staff, and finishes while keeping downtime minimal. Dust and odours from drilling, sanding, and refurbishments can travel quickly through corridors and HVAC. A planned approach to air filtration keeps projects discreet and compliant.

Plan the work zone

Isolate rooms or wings with temporary sheeting and door zips. Establish a clean-to-dirty airflow so dust moves into the work area, not out. Pressure-test the setup by feeling for inward airflow at the doorway when the machine is running.

Capture at source first

Use tool-mounted extraction on sanders, multi-tools, and drills. Choose vacuums with appropriate filtration (M-Class as a baseline; H-Class when controlling fine or hazardous dust). Keep hoses short and unobstructed, and check performance under load.

Control airborne particulate

Run a portable air scrubber inside the containment to remove fine dust and overspray mist from minor touch-ups. For odour control during paint works, consider a carbon stage in addition to HEPA. Where disturbance is heavy, create slight negative pressure to prevent corridor contamination. Select HEPA H13 or H14 for fine fractions and position the unit to avoid blowing towards doors.

Protect public areas

Cover floors, return grilles, and high-traffic routes. Schedule dusty tasks in low-occupancy windows. Use quiet-mode or lower fan speeds when possible, balancing noise with adequate airflow. Keep housekeeping aligned: vacuum-only cleaning and sealed waste removal at the end of each shift.

Verification and handover

Do a visual clean, then run the air scrubber for an additional polish cycle. Use a simple PM meter to confirm airborne particulate has returned to background. Remove containment carefully, HEPA-vacuuming edges to avoid release.

Practical takeaways

• Isolate the area and set airflow from corridor to work zone.
• Use tool extraction on every cut, sand, or drill; verify suction under load.
• HEPA air scrubbers (H13/H14) reduce fine dust; add carbon where odours matter.
• Avoid sweeping; vacuum-only cleaning and sealed waste bags.
• Measure before handover with a portable PM meter.

A structured approach limits disruption and keeps air clear. Source capture, a correctly positioned air scrubber, and disciplined cleaning are the core of reliable hotel maintenance control.