How to make sure your dust collection system complies with combustible dust standards. Two major combustible dust explosion fatalities in indiana in the last 5 years two combustible dust explosions and four combustible dust fires in indiana in 2009 osha says that 30,000 employers in the united states are at risk for combustible dust fires andor explosions congress says that 200,000 employers in the united states are at risk for. The first documented dust explosion occurred in a turin, italy, bakery in 1785. Nfpa 654, standard for the prevention of fire and dust explosions from the manufacturing, processing, and handling.
Dec 06, 2018 dust is often associated with a lack of upkeep. The chemical safety board csb investigated the accident and traced the explosion to the accumulation of polyethylene combustible dust on hidden. The severity of an explosion caused by the ignition of a flammable atmosphere in a confined space is defined by the maximum rate of pressure rise resulting from the expanding fire ball and the maximum explosion pressure developed. Dec 07, 2016 nfpa 652 standard on fundamentals of combustible dust nfpa 654 standard for the prevention of fire and dust explosions from the manufacturing, processing, and handling of combustible particulate solids nfpa 655 standard for the prevention of sulfur fires and explosions nfpa 664 standard of fires and explosions in wood processing and. A dust cloud explosion triggered a fatal blast and fire that killed workers and injured. Combustible dust basics 659 van meter street cincinnati oh 452021568 t. Good housekeeping alone will not completely remove the dust fuel load in most manufacturing processes, so dilution ventilation or local exhaust ventilation lev must be utilized. A dust explosion can only occur when the following five factors are present see figure 3. Us chemical safety board 2006, combustible dust hazard study report no.
Yes or unknown dust is combustible dust is not explosible additional testing dus t is no combustible dust is not combustible du st is explosible no f ire m tga on may not be needed yes fire mitigation may be. More specific information about more than 7,000 combustible dusts is available from the. Every year, destructive and deadly dustrelated fires and explosions affect a wide range of industries around the globe. This industry guide discusses how to assess dust hazards and how to mitigate those hazards. Jan 07, 2010 a key aspect in the fire triangle in reducing the possibility of a combustible dust fire or explosion is to remove the combustible dust fuel load. Reviewing the recent osha combustible dust nep status report figure 6 illustrates that 90% of the citations for combustible dust arose from osha general industry standards. Dust may accumulate on surfaces and lie undisturbed for years. To protect persons at work, explosion relief vents must be located or positioned away from work areas, walkways, etc.
Combustible dust hazard study chemical safety board. In the united states alone, 50 combustible dust accidents occurred between 2008 and 2012. Most solid organic materials will burn or explode if finely divided and dispersed indiana in the last 5 years two combustible dust explosions and four combustible dust fires in indiana in 2009 osha says that 30,000 employers in the united states are at risk for combustible dust fires andor explosions congress says that 200,000 employers in the united states are at risk for. Dispersion of dust particles in sufficient quantity and concentration, and. Again, wood processing, agricultural, and food production make up a large proportion of the overall fire and explosion incidents. This explosion can damage equipment and injure nearby employees. Confinement of the dust cloud in february 2008, sugar dust ignited, and there was an explosion and fire at the imperial sugar. Employees are trained on the explosion hazards of combustible dusts. Nfpa introduces allnew nfpa 652, standard on the fundamentals of combustible dust to mitigate fire, flash fire, and explosion hazards. A mass of solid combustible materials will burn relatively slowly due to the limited surface area exposed to the air. The csb issued its final report at a public meeting in washington, dc, on november 9, 2006, calling for a new osha regulatory standard designed to prevent combustible dust fires and explosions. Combustible dust explosion and fire prevention act h.
Msdss for the chemicals which could become combustible dust under normal operations are available to employees. In many combustible dust incidents, employers and employees were unaware that. Dispersion of dust particles in sufficient quantity and concentration 5. Osha notes that in many combustible dust accidents, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed. Combustible dust home occupational safety and health. A significant risk associated with dust explosions is that a small primary explosion can create a shockwave that disturbs a dust layer in the facility. How to make sure your dust collection system complies. Elements of a dust explosion combustible dust small particle size oxidizable. An interactive tool showing which nfpa codes are enforced around the world.
Cumbustible dust checklist creativesafetypublishing. Due to the fire and explosion hazard associated with combustible dust, it is necessary to control dust accumulation throughout a facility, and to ensure that the equipment handling combustible dust is properly designed and safeguarded. Nov 01, 2018 the most comprehensive analysis of combustible dust incidents in the u. This act will force osha to issue a new rule on combustible dust, requiring manufacturers to comply with combustible dust standards created by the national fire prevention association nfpa. Combustible products of wood processing include sawdust, chips, shavings, fibers and pellets. The five elements of the combustible dust formula fuel, oxygen, ignition, confined space, and dispersed particles combine to trigger an explosion inside equipment or in a confined area where dust has accumulated false ceilings, dust collectors, below conveyor belts, etc. Combustible dust resulting from a manufacturing process produced several explosions and fire that killed 7 and injured 37 employees.
We have a reputation for providing cutting edge, high quality and cost effective engineering solutions to. Dust explosions are almost always a small explosion followed by a larger, more powerful explosion as the dust cloud stirred up by the first, smaller explosion ignites. Nfpa has since developed several standards to include explosion prevention systems 69, fire prevention and control in coal mines 120, combustible metals 484, prevention of. Quantitative combustible dust fire and explosion properties are not required by osha hazardghs 41% of the 140 combustible powder sdss the csb surveyed did not warn users about dust explosion hazards.
Dust particles that are too large to remain airborne will settle out, while the smallest ones can remain suspended indefinitely. A combustible dust explosion hazard may exist in a variety of industries, including food e. This lack of maintenance can be particularly hazardous because even a relatively small amount of dust in the wrong area can be combustible. Fuel, in the form of dust particles dispersion of the fuel in the form of a dust cloud. As defined in nfpa 6522019, a combustible dust is a. Combustible dust hazard recognition and control nfpa. Important combustion and explosion characteristics of more than 7,000 dust samples from virtually all sectors of industry were determined as a basis for the safe handling of combustible dusts and for the planning of preventive and protective measures against dust explosions in dust generating and processing plants. Nfpa members and public sector officials may submit a question on an nfpa code or standard. When the dust is confined, a powerful explosion can occur and propagate. The final date to file an appeal on this consent standard is april 7, 2018. Ventingsuppression and explosion isolation considerations explosion vents must release to a safe location.
The methods to prevent or mitigate the effects of combustible dust explosion and resulting fire. However, this value is less than the historic data from the csb, which suggested up to 40%. Several combustible dust explosions and fires in the united states, including several fatalities two major combustible dust explosion fatalities in indiana in the last 5 years two combustible dust explosions and four combustible dust fires in indiana in 2009 osha says that 30,000 employers in the united states are at risk for combustible. The board recommended the standard be based on existing national fire protection association. Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air in certain conditions. Buy nfpa 654, standard for the prevention of fire and dust. In cases when fuel plays the role of a combustible material, the explosion. Combustible dust hazard prevention grainger knowhow. Combustible dust umie uminimum ignition energy uease and likelihood of ignition of a dispersed dust cloud umec uminimum explosible concentration uminimum amount of dust dispersed in air required to spread an explosion similar to lel ukst urelative explosion severity compared to other dusts.
However, for a combustible dust explosion to occur. Nfpa has since developed several standards to include explosion prevention systems 69, fire prevention and control in coal mines 120, combustible metals 484, prevention of fires and dust. Nfpa 652, standard on the fundamentals of combustible dust. Combustible dust in the workplace before you begin. Nfpa 6522019 provides guidelines on the handling of explosion hazards and combustible dust fires. Approximately 10% of the citations were general duty clause citations where a majority of examples were for ventilation such as ductwork, dust collectors, and other aspects. Sep 18, 2014 combustible dust can be a desired manufactured product, but it is often generated as a waste byproduct. Combustible dust resources conversion technology inc. Although my phd thesis focused on scientific research into dust and hybrid mixture explosion, this more practical question of lives touched by combustible dust incidents has always loomed in the back of my mind. Circular on the hazards and controls of combustible dusts. A new tool for preventing combustible dust incidents.
Dust explosions 2 a dust explosion is the rapid combustion of fine combustible dust particles suspended in air, often but not always in an enclosed location. These standards, which are currently voluntary, would become mandatory. A detailed combustible dust hazard analysis can be instrumental in reducing the risk of a dust explosion. Combustible dustan explosive topic air handling systems. In recent years, combustible dust explosions have resulted in the loss of life, multiple injuries and substantial property damage. Combustible dust umie uminimum ignition energy uease and likelihood of ignition of a dispersed dust cloud umec uminimum explosible concentration uminimum amount of dust dispersed in air required to spread an explosion similar to lel ukst urelative explosion severity compared to. Dust explosions can occur where any dispersed powdered combustible material is present in highenough concentrations in the atmosphere or other oxidizing gaseous medium, such as pure oxygen. Nfpa combustible dust standards combustible dust properties kst, pmax, mie dust explosion prevention explosion venting explosion suppression explosion isolation housekeeping and flash fires demonstration of small dust explosion 10 fire triangle confinement oxygen combustible dust ignition suspension dust explosion pentagon. Stepbystep guide to combustible dust compliance an adf engineering white paper. The presence of combustible dust in plastics, chemicals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, fibers, and many other production settings presents explosion hazards that can result in injuries, deaths, and damage to and destruction of buildings. Particular attention is given to controlling dust, eliminating ignition sources and minimizing damage.
Explosion relief and venting provide explosion relief vents of suitable size at the right locations for powder handling units to safely vent the energy in the event of a dust explosion. Hazard communication guidance for combustible dusts osha. A guide to combustible dusts examines the sources of combustible dusts and the conditions necessary for a dust explosion to occur. Osha published a combustible dust poster pdf that identifies 67 agricultural products or dusts, 12 carbonaceous dusts, 14 chemical dusts, 5 metal dusts, and 18 plastic dusts that, if processed in powdered form, pose a hazard of combustible dust explosion. A combustible dust hazard analysis is a systematic analytical study of a facility and its processes to identify combustible dust hazards to employees, property, and the public at large. Combustible dust pentagon the combustible dust pentagon a dust explosion is different than a fire. Combustible dust combustible dust a combustible particulate solid that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations, regardless of particle size or shape. Combustible dust explosions combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air in certain conditions. Osha ventilation standard revise for combustible dust. A dust explosion can be catastrophic and cause employee deaths, injuries, and destruction of entire buildings. How to make sure your dust collection system complies with. Combustible dust can be a desired manufactured product, but it is often generated as a waste byproduct.
In general terms, a combustible dust is a combustible solid particle having an effective diameter of 420 microns. An example of this can be seen in the january 2003 dust explosion at west pharmaceutical services in kinston, nc, where six employees died and thirtyeight were injured. The csb issued its final report at a public meeting in washington, dc, on november 9, 2006, calling for a new osha regulatory standard designed to. A dust explosion is the rapid combustion of fine particles suspended in the air within an enclosed location.
Combustible dust explosion and fire investigation status. Dust samples of varying quantities are dispersed within a spherical enclosure with a volume of 20 liters and are. Combustible dust food that goes boom iisc 2018 april 12. Csb s drivers of critical chemical safety change dust fires are unique because, in addition to the three elements of fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source, dust explosions require dispersion and confinement. Combustible dust issues in existing facilities 87 7. Combustible dust explosion hazards exist in a variety of industries, including. Preventionmeasures the facility has separator devices to remove foreign materials capable of igniting combustible dusts.