Dust in exhibition and convention centres undermines visitor experience, degrades equipment, and risks breaches of venue hygiene policies. With fast build and breakdown cycles, control must be planned and disciplined, not improvised.

Plan by phase: build, live, breakdown

Set dust rules in contractor packs: what can be cut on site, where, and with what extraction. Allocate dirty zones for fabrication, provide power for extraction, and schedule cleaning windows before doors open. During live days, limit invasive work to controlled areas only.

Capture at source

• Use tool-mounted extraction on saws, sanders and drills. Insist on M-Class or H-Class vacuums, matched with the correct hose diameter and automatic filter cleaning.
• For scenic carpentry, pre-cut off site where possible; if on site, use slower cutting speeds and shrouded tools to reduce escape.
• For floor grinding or concrete chasing, pair tools with water suppression or LEV and contain the area with temporary sheeting.

Capture in the air

Deploy air scrubbers to continuously remove airborne particulate, placing units near dust sources and creating directional airflow toward a dirty zone or extraction point. Where stands are building messier features, use temporary enclosures with negative pressure to stop migration to concourses. Equipment such as the MAXVAC Dustblocker Pro can provide continuous filtration in build zones when correctly sized and positioned. Always consider airflow under load, not just free-air figures, and maintain filters.

Capture on surfaces

• Avoid sweeping and compressed air. Vacuum hard floors and staging with industrial units using high-efficiency filters; mop only after vacuuming to prevent smearing fine dust.
• Fit entrance mats and change them frequently during build days to reduce tracking.
• Include high-level dusting on a rota using extendable vacuum tools; debris from trusses and ductwork often falls during vibration.

Coordination and monitoring

Nominate a dust coordinator for each hall. Use simple PM meters to check airborne particulate during build and before daily opening. Keep spare filters, bags, and consumables. Log issues and enforce corrective actions with contractors under venue rules.

Practical takeaways

• Define dirty zones and power for extraction in the floor plan.
• Mandate tool-mounted extraction and ban dry sweeping.
• Use air scrubbers to manage background dust; contain high-risk works.
• Schedule staged cleans: build, pre-open, and post-event.
• Monitor with a basic particulate meter and act on spikes.

Consistent application of source capture, air control, and disciplined housekeeping keeps halls clean, protects equipment, and reduces complaints and rework.