Quick answer: BS 8520-3 is the British Standard that specifies requirements for Type H vacuum cleaners used in asbestos removal and disturbance work. It sits alongside CAR 2012 and COSHH 2002 as the technical standard that defines what an asbestos vacuum must achieve. DOP (Dispersed Oil Particulate) testing is the method used to verify that a vacuum's HEPA filter meets H14 filtration efficiency — 99.995% at the most penetrating particle size. A vacuum claiming to meet BS 8520-3 should be able to produce a DOP test certificate for its filtration system. V-TUF H-Class vacuums are built to meet the filtration requirements of BS 8520-3 and Type H classification.
When contractors specify vacuums for asbestos removal and disturbance work, two questions come up consistently: does this vacuum meet BS 8520-3, and is there a DOP certificate? These are the right questions to ask — but the answers require understanding what the standard actually requires and what DOP testing actually proves.
What BS 8520-3 actually requires
BS 8520 is a multi-part British Standard for vacuum cleaners used in potentially hazardous environments. Part 3 covers Type H vacuum cleaners — the classification used for vacuums intended for hazardous dust including asbestos.
The key requirements of BS 8520-3 relevant to asbestos work include:
- Filtration efficiency — the vacuum system must achieve H14 HEPA filtration standard, retaining 99.995% of particles at the most penetrating particle size (MPPS, typically 0.1–0.3 microns). This is the filtration level required to contain asbestos fibres effectively.
- Sealed construction — the vacuum must be constructed so that dust cannot bypass the filter and escape through joints, seals or the exhaust. A vacuum with H14 filtration but poor construction integrity does not meet the spirit of BS 8520-3.
- Continuous filter cleaning or indicator — the standard addresses filter loading and the need for either automatic filter cleaning (as in V-TUF's power-take-off H-Class range) or a visual indicator to show when the filter requires attention.
- Disposal provisions — provisions for sealed dust disposal to prevent fibre release when emptying. Type H disposal bags with a sealed closure mechanism are the correct method for asbestos vacuum disposal.
What DOP testing proves
DOP (Dispersed Oil Particulate) testing — sometimes referred to as PAO (Poly-Alpha-Olefin) testing — is the accepted method for verifying HEPA filter efficiency. The test introduces a standardised aerosol upstream of the filter and measures the concentration downstream. The ratio confirms the filter's actual efficiency against the H14 standard.
A DOP or PAO test certificate from the filter manufacturer confirms that the filter element itself achieves H14 efficiency. It does not, on its own, confirm that the complete vacuum system is sealed to the standard required by BS 8520-3 — that depends on the construction integrity of the vacuum as a whole.
When asking for DOP certification, the right question is: can the manufacturer provide DOP test data for the filter used in this specific vacuum model? V-TUF can provide filter test data for the H-Class range on request — contact the technical team on 01522 787978.
How BS 8520-3 relates to CAR 2012 and COSHH
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) sets the legal framework for asbestos work in the UK. It does not specify BS 8520-3 by name — it requires that equipment used in licensed asbestos removal is suitable for the purpose and that exposure is controlled to as low as reasonably practicable.
The Health and Safety Executive's guidance on asbestos work specifies Type H vacuum cleaners as the correct equipment for cleaning up asbestos debris and contaminated surfaces. BS 8520-3 is the standard that defines what a Type H vacuum must achieve — so in practice, specifying a vacuum that meets BS 8520-3 is the way to demonstrate that the equipment choice satisfies the CAR 2012 requirement for suitable equipment.
COSHH 2002 applies to asbestos as a substance hazardous to health. The COSHH assessment for asbestos work should specify the extraction and containment equipment required — including the vacuum class.
Licensed versus non-licensed asbestos work
CAR 2012 distinguishes between licensed work (high-risk asbestos removal requiring an HSE licence), notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) and non-licensed work. The vacuum requirement applies across all categories where asbestos debris or contaminated surfaces need cleaning — a Type H vacuum meeting BS 8520-3 requirements is the correct specification in each case, though the full control measures differ between categories.
V-TUF H-Class vacuums and BS 8520-3
V-TUF's H-Class vacuum range — including the MIDI H-Class, MAXI H-Class and GRINDEX H-Class ranges — is built to meet the filtration and construction requirements of Type H classification and BS 8520-3. Key features relevant to BS 8520-3 compliance:
- H14 HEPA filtration at 99.995% efficiency
- Sealed filter and tank construction to prevent bypass
- Power-take-off and auto filter shaker variants for continuous filter cleaning during operation
- Type H sealed disposal bags for safe asbestos debris disposal
- Filter test data available on request
For specific DOP certification queries or to confirm compliance documentation for a tender or contract requirement, contact the V-TUF technical team: 01522 787978 | enquiries@v-tuf.com
Related guidance
H-Class extraction — full guidance Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 COSHH Regulations 2002 M-Class vs H-Class — when each applies V-TUF H-Class vacuum range Choose the right machine for the job
