Centralised LEV has its place in fixed plants, but on many projects portable extractors deliver better dust control with less disruption. The key is to know when mobility, short duct runs, and rapid setup outweigh the benefits of a permanent system.

Where portables excel

Refurbishment and fit-out work changes daily: rooms shift, trades rotate, and access is tight. A portable extractor can sit beside the tool, keeping hose lengths short and capture strong. For short-duration, high-dust tasks like chasing, mortar raking, or sanding, quick deployment and direct source capture often beat long, lossy duct runs to a central fan.

Containment and phased works

In live environments (hospitals, schools, offices), create small negative-pressure zones and pair on-tool extraction with a portable air scrubber. You get targeted control, minimal downtime, and simpler sign-off. When areas move, the kit moves too.

Cost, power, and maintenance

Portables avoid design and install costs and are easy to service. They also make under-load performance visible: you feel hose length, bends, and filter loading immediately and can correct them. Keep spare filters and bags, and train teams to inspect seals and shrouds at the start of each shift.

When centralised wins

High duty-cycle processes with many simultaneous drops, fixed machinery, or large volumes favour centralised systems. They can be quieter per workstation and simpler to monitor centrally. A hybrid approach is common: central LEV for fixed kit, portables for transient tasks and spot control.

Practical takeaways

• Use portables for mobile, short-duration tasks and tight access.
• Keep hose runs short and bends gentle to protect capture.
• Combine on-tool extraction with a portable air scrubber for containment.
• Train operators to check seals, shrouds, and filter loading daily.
• For fixed, simultaneous processes, consider a centralised system or hybrid.

Whatever you choose, keep COSHH obligations in view: thorough examination and testing of LEV at least every 14 months and routine checks to ensure dust exposure remains below WELs. Practical, flexible control is often the fastest path to safer, cleaner work.