Healthy working with a system.

Dust that is produced while working is divided into three classes.
This process specifies the extractor's suitability for any given dust class and the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC).
The dust classes also define the filter system's required degree of filtration for dust-free work. The different classes are as follows:

• Dust class L
• Dust class M
• Dust class H

Dust in dust class L is considered to be "slightly" hazardous.
Dust class L therefore includes simple and harmless dust, e.g. household dust, soil, lime, paint and varnish.
Moreover, a maximum extraction permeability of 1% applies to all dust in this class with a maximum occupational exposure limit of more than 1 mg/m³. This is because the lower the occupational exposure limit value, the more harmful the dust.
It is also vital to choose the dust class of your mobile dust extractor according to the material you use.

Dust in class M is referred to as "moderately" hazardous and includes wood, concrete, cement, screed, copper and borax.
This class is used for dust with an occupational exposure limit value of more than 0.1 mg/m³.
The permeability of the extractor should be 0.1% in order to enable dust-free work.

Meanwhile, dust class H comprises "highly" hazardous dust, such as germs, bacteria, asbestos, viruses, mould, cadmium, formaldehyde, potassium dichromate and carcinogens.
This class applies to all dust with a maximum occupational exposure value lower than or equal to 0.1 mg/m³ and a maximum extraction permeability of 0.005%.

To enable dust-free work, you should first carefully consider where the machine will be used.
For example, if you are using the extractor at construction sites, a smaller and more compact machine is considerably easier to carry.

The CTM MIDI or CTM 26 by Festool are suitable for this purpose, for example.

If you quickly produce high volumes of dust or have a dedicated space for the machine at your workshop, you may wish to opt for a suction device with a larger number.
If you produce fine dust while working, such as when using a wall scraper or for routing work on screed, you should ensure that an automatic cleaning system, which knocks the fine dust from the filter, is incorporated in the extraction device.
CTM E AC 26, 36 or 48 Festool extractors are suitable for this purpose.

CT-SYS, CTL MINI or MIDI Festool extractors are recommended for light drilling work, cleaning loose dirt and carrying out repairs or cleaning work at construction sites.
Provided that it is precisely known what work is performed and which dust is generated, in most cases an extractor from class M will suffice.

These extractors will typically deal with all of the dust that is generated at construction sites or workshops, such as household dust, plaster, clay, ceramics, lime, paint, varnish, wood, concrete, cement and screed. Only the CTH 26 and 48 models by Festool allow hazardous and carcinogenic dust, such as asbestos and mould, to be extracted – therefore enabling flawless and dust-free work.

However, there is also a special extractor with a solution for explosive dust, such as aluminium and flour. For instance, the CT 48 LE EC is a good choice for dust-free work.

As the sleeves for individual machines vary, it is not possible to make any generalisations. Depending on whether the specific power tool from another manufacturer is compatible, you may be able to combine it with a Festool machine.
However, Festool do not produce sleeves for other manufacturers as our focus is on the system concept. The machines should therefore fit together perfectly for clean and, above all, dust-free work.


If you nevertheless use power tools by other brands, if necessary, you can use another connection and connect this to the right Festool hose.

If asbestos is present during extraction work, only use extractors from dust class H, such as the CTH 26 or 48 for safe and dust-free work.
As such dust is considered to be highly hazardous, certain requirements apply to the dust extractor:

• Integrated air speed measurement (20 m/s)
• Dust-free disposal
• Filtering: 0.005% max. extractor permeability

To enable work involving asbestos to be largely safe and dust-free, the extraction device must meet the highest requirements.
This is primarily as a result of the Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances (TRG) 519, which is envisaged to protect workers and other persons.
This rule must always be followed for dust-free work for tasks involving asbestos and hazardous substances containing asbestos.

Tradespeople or people who work at construction sites often produce a high volume of dust while working.
Some of this dust contains extremely hazardous substances, meaning that incorrect extraction can lead to small quantities being inhaled and this may cause illnesses.
For example, irritation and other diseases may be caused when working in dusty conditions:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Lung cancer
• Bronchial cancer
• Mouth and throat cancer
• Skin cancer
• Nasal mucous membrane cancer

In particular, fine dust is too small to be filtered through the nasal hairs or mucous membranes and can therefore quickly enter the lungs, potentially causing severe damage. Silica and asbestos dust are particularly dangerous and considered to be carcinogenic.
However, in the long term, wood dust may also lead to nasal cancer.
You should therefore take extreme care to avoid inhaling high volumes of dust over a short period of time and use the appropriate precautionary measures for dust-free work.

Firstly, you should determine which types of dust you are faced with at the workplace.

This will provide the basis for initially assessing the correct dust class.
In many cases, a dust extractor from class M will suffice.

These products extract most of the dust that is produced at construction sites or workshops, including drywall dust, household dust, plaster, clay, ceramics, paint, lime, varnish, wood, concrete, cement and screed.

If harmful substances such as asbestos or mould have to be extracted, there are certain special extractors (CTH), which fall under class H and enable dust-free extraction.
Festool also offers the right machines for explosive dust, such as aluminium and flour, to enable dust-free work without health risks.

Dust-free work should be facilitated for all workers at the workplace, in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV).
The maximum occupational exposure limit (OEL) is a suitable guideline for this purpose.
The lower the value, the more harmful the dust is at the workplace.
Machines from dust class L are suitable for dust with occupational exposure limit values > 1 mg/m³.
The suction device should have a maximum permeability of 1% and it should be possible to dispose of the associated filter bag with minimal dust.

Dusts with occupational exposure limit values > 0.1 mg/m³ are listed in dust class M.
Accordingly, your extractor should have a permeability of 0.1% and it should be possible to dispose of it with minimal dust.

Meanwhile, dust class H refers to highly hazardous dust with occupational exposure limit values < 0.1 mg/m³.
Only dust extractors with a maximum permeability of 0.005% and completely dust-free disposal are suitable.
When carrying out tasks involving asbestos or harmful substances, you need to use dust extractors from dust class H, which also have a label for asbestos.
The maximum permeability and disposal of these machines correspond to class H.
The "Zone 22" class includes explosive dust. The maximum permeability and disposal correspond to dust classes L and M.

Legal requirements stipulate that M and H extractors must also warn users as soon as the air speed in the hose is 20 m/s or slower.

Yes, there is only the question of how appropriate it is to use a single extractor for workshops and construction sites.
For instance, a CT48 weighing more than 18 kg is too heavy to be transported for smaller tasks.
Nor is extracting mineral dusts without the AC function recommended.

Moreover, it is not beneficial to use a CT SYS for extraction at workshops if the machines used produce high volumes of dust, for example routers or planers.
This is because the container of this suction device would be filled within a few seconds.
In these cases, machines with larger dust containers should be used.
If you would like to use a single extractor for workshops and construction sites at the same time, you should be clear beforehand about the type and quantity of dust and check whether your machine meets the requirements for dust-free work.

Industrial vacuum cleaners are only used to extract deposited dust.
On the other hand, dust separators for portable operation are also used to extract dust emissions from hand, power and machining tools.
They are connected to the machining tool by a suction hose and often have a socket to connect to the power tool.

There is also a significant difference in the warning device, which delivers a visual or audible warning if the flow volume falls below a set value.
This signal is intended to indicate to users that the tool's dust emissions are not being collected sufficiently and that the dust exposure is too high.
Industrial vacuum cleaners do not typically have such a warning device, only a pressure gauge or an LED light. This means that dust separators can also be used as industrial vacuum cleaners without any problems.

Dust-free work is Festool's top priority.
This is demonstrated by the fact that Festool is the only power tool manufacturer to produce its own mobile dust extractors and is therefore able to uphold its system concept.
This is because the best suction power for dust-free work can only be achieved if the tool, hose and mobile dust extractor are perfectly coordinated.

All of the machines are subjected to tough test conditions and must meet the highest expectations.
This means that Festool itself specifies what the best ergonomics are, how the maximum suction power is achieved and what useful accessories are required.

The suction devices are continuously developed to provide tradespeople with a quick, simple, clean and safe support for dust-free work.
In addition, the machines offer many additional advantages, such as:

• Three-year full warranty, including wear parts
• Very strong suction power
• Integrated Bluetooth® technology
• Connection for Systainers (T-LOC)
• Touch control panel
• Antistatic and smooth suction hose
• Stable design suitable for conditions on construction sites, with steel axle
• Large wheels and reinforced body
• Easy to carry thanks to perfect ergonomics
• Full-capacity container volume
• Adjustable extraction volume
• Cable holder
• Perfectly seated connections to Festool machines (Bayonet fitting)
• Different modules can be retrofitted
• Hose holder and safe storage area for tools
• Automatic main filter cleaning