MIDI m class

[bigsully77]

Hi fog . I was wondering if it's possible if the uk midi owners can get their midis re certified to a m class to meet HSE standards here in the uk for site work. In know it's possible to get a Midi re certified to meet hepa codes in the USA . Also does any one  what the rating is of the filter that comes with the midi as standard . Thanks

 

[Doug S]

Could be wrong but think the filters are all the same, the only difference with the M class is the electronics that make it beep if the suction drops.

I have seen someone selling M Class stickers for the back of the midi for £12 on eBay if that helps!

Doug

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi fog . I was wondering if it's possible if the uk midi owners can get their midis re certified to a m class to meet HSE standards here in the uk for site work. In know it's possible to get a Midi re certified to meet hepa codes in the USA . Also does any one  what the rating is of the filter that comes with the midi as standard . Thanks

.....for M class the extractor needs the audible alarm and air flow monitor.
rg
Phil

 

[bobfog]

Yeah M class is the warning of insufficient suction. Normally accompanied by automatic filter cleaning on the machine, this isn't part of the rules for class M but having the filter self clean increases the efficiency of the machine so prolonging the intervals between the warning alarm going off.

The filters are the same, it's that alarm that is the key criteria for meeting class M.

 

[bigsully77]

[attachimg=1]Thanks for the quick reply guys ... After weeks of looking into this Phil is right just found HSE recommend low flow indicators and auto filters , and not to just to put a hepa filter into an l class .... Can't figure out how to get the link up or put on the pics of the info but will try later ...Was gonna just get stickers , but the one of the guys on site got caught out with doing that , as th H&s guy just checked his extractor on Google. I am sure the Midi would perform to the m class or better for dust collection as they put hepa filters in the USA and re certify midi to hepa standards ...... But this
Puts all midi users in a bit of a spot . I am sure the midi is one of festool biggest sellers... As they some times sell them with starter packs fr example ts55 r and midi deal that I bought together..... But it seem that the l class's midi is not suitable for woodwork , although any midi owners know that it's great for woodwork .... And it is no use for site work , although it portability is perfect for site work ,or any where that the H&s can come and say it not m class,Here is your fee for interventions fine . So is the midi a domestic only use dust extractor now. Is there any way uk midi owners can get their re certified or do we need to go spend anther £500  plus on a m class thanks

 

[Doug S]

Good example of why I don't work on sites. Midi is a fantastic extractor, you know the suction has dropped when it stops sucking and so you change the bag or check the hose for a blockage, you don't need an alarm to tell you. Am I missing something?

Soon gets tiring carrying round a ct 26.

Doug

 

[bigsully77]

I agree Doug s it's a great dust extractor , I swore I would not go back on site but just have to the now. Not looking forward to lugging around a heavier extractor and spending more money  , for. Something a simple as not having an alarm to tell you when to change the bag , cheers

 

[Phil Beckley]

....legislation will always go in one direction - more and more so long term M for sites will be the norm and that is gradually happening. As for slapping a sticker on, some may get away with it but if the site agent and the HS responsible person know their stuff then the worker can be asked to leave site - easier to have the correct unit to start with really. 
  I think currently our Dutch counterparts have the tightest regs.......maybe someone can let us know
rg
Phil

 

[bobfog]

What I find amusing is They specify M class with audible alarm but there's no regulation on the tools. You can hook up a tracksaw that has excellent dust collection or an ancient circular saw that even when connected to an extractor spews dust into the air!

 

[bigsully77]

Hi Bob fog that was going to be my next point , old miter saw new m class extractor is ok on site ... But midi with kapex set up not ok cos midi is not m class , even tho the midi kapex combo out performs probably all competitors new mitre saw and m class extractors .... Another point would be that HSE now recommend that all dust should be cleaned up with extractors rather than swept , so all site should have m class should alwa be available on site from the main contractor anyway.....Hi Phil do you know if festool .... Have  any plan to release a m class midi in the future... Thanks

 

[Phil Beckley]

What I find amusing is They specify M class with audible alarm but there's no regulation on the tools. You can hook up a tracksaw that has excellent dust collection or an ancient circular saw that even when connected to an extractor spews dust into the air!

......agreed
rg
Phil

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi Bob fog that was going to be my next point , old miter saw new m class extractor is ok on site ... But midi with kapex set up not ok cos midi is not m class , even tho the midi kapex combo out performs probably all competitors new mitre saw and m class extractors .... Another point would be that HSE now recommend that all dust should be cleaned up with extractors rather than swept , so all site should have m class should alwa be available on site from the main contractor anyway.....Hi Phil do you know if festool .... Have  any plan to release a m class midi in the future... Thanks

....long term members will have heard this line before .....No comment is ever made about what will or will not be released in to any specific country or add to any speculation on any product.
rg
Phil

 

[CrazyLarry]

Phil totally accept the oft repeated line, however could you acknowledge that you have passed back to HQ that there are many who would update a midi to M class for site work if it existed.

Is there really more to it than an alarm / bag / filter to meet the requirements?

Isn't there an argument for just dropping the L class and setting the baseline at M class?

 

[Phil Beckley]

Phil totally accept the oft repeated line, however could you acknowledge that you have passed back to HQ that there are many who would update a midi to M class for site work if it existed.

Is there really more to it than an alarm / bag / filter to meet the requirements?

Isn't there an argument for just dropping the L class and setting the baseline at M class?

Hi
Information is passed back regarding trade needs such as extraction for example. For M class it is the audible alarm and air flow monitor.
  As for the rating L,M, and H then this is for the HSE to simplify and decide what the norm will be for industry. I can understand the position for the trades on site and for the UK it is not ideal with the HSE
rg
Phil

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

Reviving an old thread,.....I have been working on a new build site for the past few weeks and the issue of L versus M class extractors was raised during my induction to the site.

I was told I would have to use an M class extractor whilst cutting any materials during the installation of the kitchens.
I only currently have L class extractors (CTL11,CTL26 and a CTL MIDI). I managed to get the job finished using what I had without being pulled up for the lack of an M class extractor, despite 2 visits from the building company H&S Officer....

The really annoying part about this experience was, none of the site chippies, decorators or anyone else come to that, used any kind of extraction at all............There was plaster and filler dust in practically every room and sawdust and shavings just left where the last chippy had been working. About twice a week, one of the site labourers would go around the house with a Bosch Gas M  class hoover and suck up everyone else mess. No one was allowed to "sweep" anything up ......!!! Surely, any kind of extractor has got to be better than no extractor, but why do some people seem to get away with not having to use anything? Are us Kitchen Fitters the biggest generators of dust on site? Not compared to the amount that I saw the decorator producing whilst rubbing down dried filler and then just walking away from his debris whilst I had to continue working in the same room......

I have been trying to pre order one of the new M class Midi's for the new year, but so far no one is able to take my order as they are not certain as to the actual date of availability.

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=14860]Distinctive Interiors[/member] I feel for you. That’s an infuriating situation.

 

[Gregor]

The really annoying part about this experience was, none of the site chippies, decorators or anyone else come to that, used any kind of extraction at all............There was plaster and filler dust in practically every room and sawdust and shavings just left where the last chippy had been working. About twice a week, one of the site labourers would go around the house with a Bosch Gas M  class hoover and suck up everyone else mess. No one was allowed to "sweep" anything up ......!!! Surely, any kind of extractor has got to be better than no extractor,

That depends.  In case of an extractor that only extracts the coarse parts but emits the fine stuff (that it also picked up, but can't filter, and possibly dislodged from the coarse stuff it stuck to prior to making the trip through the hose) which then floats around for extended timespans to be deeply inhaled to where it causes maximum damage (cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, several flavours of toxic effects, etc.)... using no extractor at all would be way better.