Maintaining clean, safe air in food and beverage production facilities is essential for both compliance and quality control. Airborne dusts such as flour, sugar, starch, powdered milk, and spices are more than just an inconvenience – they can cause respiratory health risks, contaminate products, damage machinery, and even create combustible hazards.
At Western Air Ducts, we specialise in food and beverage dust extraction systems tailored to the unique needs of manufacturers across the UK. With more than 45 years of expertise, we are trusted by businesses of all sizes. If you are searching for reliable food dust extraction solutions near me, our engineers can provide expert support from design through to installation and ongoing maintenance.
Why Dust Extraction is Vital in Food Processing
Protecting Employees
Exposure to airborne powders can trigger asthma, allergies, and long-term respiratory issues. Dust extraction systems safeguard your workforce by keeping harmful particles out of the air.
Ensuring Food Safety
Cross-contamination caused by airborne dust can compromise food quality. Effective extraction ensures your products remain clean, safe, and compliant.
Preventing Combustible Dust Risks
Many food powders, including flour and sugar, are combustible. Without the right controls, dust clouds can present fire or explosion hazards.
Reducing Downtime and Costs
Dust accumulation damages equipment and reduces efficiency. Proper extraction prolongs machine life and minimises costly repairs.
Meeting Legal and Safety Standards
Our systems are designed to comply with COSHH LEV testing requirements and food safety regulations, helping your business stay inspection-ready.
How Food Dust Extraction Works
We design and install systems that follow a clear three-step process:
- Capture – Source capture hoods collect dust at the point of release (e.g. bag tipping, mixing, or packaging lines).
- Transport – Dust is conveyed through a hygienic ducting system designed to prevent leaks and blockages.
- Filtration / Evacuation – Particles are filtered and either safely discharged or recirculated to optimise energy efficiency.
The Inteliair™ Smart Control Advantage
Western Air Ducts offers the option of integrating Inteliair™ intelligent air control with your extraction system. This ensures:
- Energy savings through automated system control
- Continuous dust extraction, even when only one process is running
- Easy integration with new or existing setups
- Reduced operating costs without compromising safety
Combustible Dust Safety in Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Flour, starch, sugar, and other powders used in food processing are highly combustible. Western Air Ducts designs systems to:
- Reduce dust cloud formation
- Meet ATEX and COSHH standards
- Minimise ignition risks with safe ducting and filtration
- Protect both your workforce and your facility
Tailored Solutions for the Food Industry
Every production line is different. That’s why we provide:
- Custom system design for bakeries, dairies, snack producers, and beverage plants
- In-house manufacturing of ducting and hoods for full quality control
- Retrofit solutions for existing systems that need upgrading
- Trusted partnerships with global filtration suppliers
So whether you are running a small bakery or a large-scale processing facility and are looking for dust extraction near me, our engineers can design the right system for you.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Western Air Ducts doesn’t just install – we support you long-term with:
- Regular LEV inspections and compliance testing
- Maintenance and performance checks
- Spare parts and retrofits
- Expert advice to keep your systems compliant and efficient
Frequently Asked Questions
What is food dust extraction?
It’s the process of capturing and filtering airborne powders like flour and sugar to protect workers, equipment, and product quality.
Which food dusts are most hazardous?
Flour, sugar, powdered milk, and starches are particularly dangerous due to their respiratory and combustible risks.
Can I retrofit an extraction system into my facility?
Yes. We design retrofit solutions and can integrate Inteliair™ control into existing systems.
Do I need food dust extraction near me, or can I work with a national provider?
Western Air Ducts operates nationwide. Our engineers provide site surveys, installation, and aftercare across the UK, so you’ll always have support near you.
How often does an LEV system need inspection?
COSHH regulations require systems to be examined and tested at least every 14 months.
How much does a dust extraction system cost?
Costs depend on plant size, dust type, and system complexity. We provide tailored quotes after a consultation.
Contact Western Air Ducts
Western Air Ducts UK Ltd
Heywood House Business Centre, Park Lane, Heywood, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4NA
Tel: +44 (0)1761 416700
