Dust rarely stays where it is made. Pressure differences, temperature gradients, and people moving create pathways that carry particles into plant rooms, offices, and neighbouring units. Understanding these flows lets you control them.

Key drivers of movement

• Pressure: extractor fans, LEV, and stairwell stack effect pull air through gaps.
• Thermals: warm process areas loft fine dust upward into ceiling voids.
• Traffic: doors cycling, lifts opening, and footfall push plumes along corridors.
• Services: leaky ducts and risers connect spaces you thought were separate.

Map the pathways

• Walk the route air would take from the dusty task to sensitive areas.
• Smoke pencils or foggers help reveal flows around doors and penetrations.
• Note return grilles, AHUs, and shared shafts that can spread contaminants.

Control the movement

• Zone: establish dirty, buffer, and clean areas with simple door rules.
• Pressure: make the dirty zone slightly negative using ducted air cleaning; exhaust to a safe location.
• Barriers: seal gaps, risers, and ceiling voids; maintain closed‑door discipline.
• Routes: designate waste and material routes that avoid clean areas.

Air scrubbers such as MAXVAC Dustblockers can be ducted to help create a controlled flow path, while appropriately specified fans should be used to guide air only when they do not disperse unfiltered dust into clean spaces.

Verification and adjustment

• Check pressure direction with a tissue test at door gaps.
• Use a PM meter before and after controls to confirm reduction where it matters.
• Review when the programme changes; new cuts or shifts can reverse flows.

Practical takeaways

• Assume dust will follow pressure and temperature differences unless you control them.
• Use negative pressure in dirty zones and keep doors to clean areas shut.
• Do not run unfiltered fans in dusty spaces if they can drive contamination offsite.

When you manage air, you manage dust. Treat airflow like a material movement plan and the building will stop working against you.