Thorough Examination and Test Certificates Now Available

HSE guidelines explain that Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) solutions must be tested and inspected regularly to ensure that the equipment is “working as effectively as originally intended and is helping to protect your employees’ health”. You may be expected to produce evidence of a Thorough Examination and Test (TExT) if an HSE inspector visits your site. The HSE explain that it is the responsibility of those using the machinery to ensure it has been regularly tested; we appreciate that this can be worrying for a site manager, especially if the equipment has been hired and you are not given any product history.

Here at RVT, we take product performance very seriously and have always had a rigorous maintenance programme in place to ensure that every product is serviced between each hire. However, we are pleased to announce that effective from 1^st October 2020, we will also be able to issue a TExT certificate for many of our LEV products, confirming the date that the product was last tested and passed.

We hope that this additional level of testing and certification will enable you to rest assured that when you hire equipment from RVT Group the product will perform safely and effectively on your site. For further peace of mind, we have provided a detailed explanation of our TExT procedure below.

RVT’s TExT System

Just as Formula 1 cars need their pit stops to remain powerful and in tip top condition, so does our equipment. So, let us take you through RVT’s detailed “pit stop” routine that goes on behind the scenes.

Maintenance Checks

The process begins as soon as a unit is returned to the warehouse and starts with a visual inspection to check that all individual parts are present, and to ascertain if any damage or wear has occurred on site that could affect control performance. This may include checking:

• That the unit is complete with its standard items, correct signage and identification
• The unit body for damage that may indicate leakage (eg latches, seals, connections and any staining around the exhaust port)
• That the gauge(s) and indicator(s) if fitted are correctly working
• That the correct filter is used, properly fitted and its condition
• That the filter cleaning method is working correctly (where fitted)
• That the collection bags can be correctly fitted and removed
• That the unit is approved for explosive dust according to the ATEX Directive 94/9.EC if required
• A unit’s airflow and pressure
• The filter pressure loss and condition
• The pressure gauge

After this inspection has been carried out and any necessary maintenance is completed, the unit is then passed to the next stage of the process; electrical tests.

Electrical Testing

Firstly, our engineers inspect any switches, plugs and cables that are part of the unit to ensure that they have not been damaged. Then, Portable Appliance (PAT) Testing is carried out, defined by the HSE as ‘the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.’ Most electrical safety defects can be detected during a visual examination, but it is vital to remember that some defects will only be found through this testing.

Performance Testing

Then, our engineers move on to performance tests, which decide whether a unit is still performing to the highest technical standards. These tests can involve checking:

For example, if our engineers were measuring the air velocity performance of an extraction unit, they would do this using our specially designed test rig, or by calculating this from another measurement such as volume flow. They would also check the performance of any indicators fitted by restricting the airflow in the test hose so that velocity falls below recommended limits. These results can then be used to determine the extent of any general wear and tear, the condition of the filter and whether it needs replacing, and whether the unit still meets performance standards.

Final Checks and Certification

Finally, our engineers will put the finishing touches to the unit. The labels and plant numbers are all checked against brand guidelines to ensure that a unit can be tracked and easily identified. A certificate is also printed to signify that the unit has passed a full inspection and attached to the unit itself. The entire process, including test results and any maintenance that occurred is then uploaded to the company’s CRM system, allowing our engineers an in-depth insight of our individual units’ performance history.

With this system, we can give you the best tools for your job. However, it remains your responsibility to ensure that they are used correctly and that they are providing adequate protection for your staff.

Our Promise to You

At RVT, our company vision is to achieve a world where the impact of site work on life and health is effectively zero, and the company is built on six core values that all staff members aim to follow. These values are: Can Do Attitude, Respect for All, Enthusiastic and Positive, Honest and Accountable, Care for Others and Deliver Excellence. We believe that ensuring our equipment is in the best condition for use on your site is a great way to deliver excellence and care for others.

Please note: RVT TExT certificates confirm that the product was verified as performing effectively and safely at the time of certification. Once the product is in use, it is the responsibility of the parties hiring the product to ensure that the unit is performing correctly before each use. We are confident that our products are robust and reliable and will perform as expected throughout the duration of your hire, however if you have any concerns that the unit has stopped performing as it should, stop using the product immediately and contact RVT technical support. Please also note, we are currently providing TExT certificates for ‘all-in-one’ units (units that contain a fan and filter, and vacuums).