Guidance on the Control of Odour and Noise from ... - Defra

� Health and Safety legislation/guidance
In relation to general ventilation in the workplace, the Workplace (Health, Safety and
Welfare) Regulations 1992 [17] require that ‘an effective and suitable provision shall be
made to ensure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of
fresh or purified air’. Directly related to commercial kitchens, the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) have produced a reference sheet with the title “Ventilation of
kitchens in catering establishments”. This provides guidance on how to assess the
adequacy of any existing ventilation equipment, and the ventilation requirements for
new build kitchens.
The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 [18] specify Action Levels that relate to the “daily
personal noise exposure” (LEP,d) of workers. At the first Action Level (LEP,d = 85
dB(A)) ear protection must be provided and at the second Action Level (LEP,d = 90
dB(A)) ear protection must be worn. The Action Levels will reduce in the near future
when the requirements of the EC Physical Agents Directive (Noise) 2003 come into
force. <strong>Guidance</strong> on plant noise for unoccupied spaces is given in BS8233 (1999) [19] .
� Food Hygiene Legislation
The relevant sections of the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations
1995 [20] require that:
• there must be suitable and sufficient means of either natural or mechanical
ventilation;
• mechanical air flow from a contaminated area to a clean area must be avoided;
and
• ventilation systems must be so constructed as to enable filters and other parts
requiring cleaning or replacement to be readily accessible.
� Fire prevention legislation
Proprietors of commercial kitchens are under a duty to ensure that the fire
precautions meet the requirements of the “Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations
1997 [3] .
3.2.2 Industry guidance/standards
The Heating and Ventilation Contractors’ Association (HVCA), who aim to provide
standards for the design of commercial kitchen ventilation systems, have produced
relevant industry guidance. Their publications, along with other available relevant
industry guidance, are listed below:
• HVCA Standard for Kitchen Ventilation Systems, DW 171, 1999 [21] ;
• HVCA Standard for Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems, TR 17, 2002 [22] ;
and
• Building Services Research and Information Association FMS 1/97 S [23] .
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