Core drilling creates fine dust that spreads quickly and can breach clean zones. The most reliable control is capture at source, supported by air control and housekeeping. Done well, you protect people, speed up cleanup and avoid defects in adjacent works.

Choose the right method: dry capture or wet suppression

Dry drilling benefits from a core drill shroud or ring collector connected to an industrial M- or H-Class vacuum. This pulls dust from the bit and the annulus before it escapes. Wet drilling suppresses dust at the point of contact; pair it with a slurry ring and wet vacuum to prevent runoff and contamination.

Set up an effective capture system

Check the shroud or ring gasket for integrity and ensure flat contact with the surface. Use a hose size that matches the tool outlet; avoid reducers that choke flow. Confirm airflow under load from the vacuum—do not rely on free-air figures. Auto filter-clean helps keep flow steady during longer cores.

Where RCS exposure is possible (concrete, stone, brick), plan for H14 filtration on the vacuum exhaust or downstream air control. The HSE WEL for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³; effective source capture keeps airborne levels far lower than relying on general ventilation alone.

Technique that helps capture

Mark and pre-score the surface to seat the shroud. Start the vacuum before the drill. Drill at steady feed; avoid pumping the bit, which can break the seal. For overhead or awkward positions, consider a rig-mounted collector to maintain contact. If switching between diameters, re-check the seal and flow.

MAXVAC core drill shrouds are commonly used with H-Class vacuums to support reliable source capture on masonry cores without altering drilling technique.

Finish with control and housekeeping

If residue escapes, run an air scrubber near the workface to capture fines, and vacuum remaining dust with H-Class filtration. Do not sweep or use compressed air. Bag waste at the point of generation and label it according to site procedures.

Practical takeaways

• Pick dry capture with a shroud and M/H-Class vacuum, or wet suppression with slurry capture.
• Verify seals and airflow under load; use auto filter-clean for long runs.
• Use H14 where RCS may be present; plan for COSHH compliance.
• Start vacuum first, keep a steady feed, and re-check seals when changing sizes.
• Complete the job with air control and H-Class housekeeping.