Laser fume can drift far beyond the cutting table if the space is leaky or airflow is poorly directed. Preventing migration protects neighbouring tasks and simplifies compliance by confining exposure to a known zone.

Build the containment

Define a boundary with solid walls, tight doors, or temporary partitions. Seal cable penetrations and floor gaps; treat doors as airlocks rather than shortcuts. Keep transfer grilles shut unless they form part of a planned airflow route.

Control direction and pressure

Bring make-up air from the clean corridor and exhaust close to the plume, maintaining a slight negative pressure in the laser zone so any leakage is inwards. Avoid cross-draughts that blow across the operator to the rest of the shop.

Filter and verify

Ultrafine particles demand high-efficiency (H13/H14) filtration on any recirculation. Track PM1/PM2.5 at the boundary with a particulate monitor; if readings rise, look first for open doors, damaged seals, or exhausted prefilters that have throttled flow.

Housekeeping and scheduling

Do not sweep. Vacuum with industrial units and bag waste before moving it into shared areas. Time high-fume tasks for quieter periods and allow scrubbers to run-on after cutting so residual aerosols are cleared before doors open.

Practical takeaways

• Seal the boundary and treat doors as airlocks.
• Keep airflow moving from clean corridors into the laser zone.
• Use H14 filtration on recirculation and change prefilters early.
• Monitor PM at the boundary and act on spikes immediately.
• Vacuum, bag, and schedule to minimise spread.

Temporary containment systems such as Dustbarriers are useful when you need a quick, adaptable boundary, but they still rely on good airflow direction, disciplined door use, and routine monitoring to prevent fume escape.