Industrial Fire Prevention

From our Friends at:  Powermag  Minimizing Fire and Explosion Hazards in Dusty Systems Understanding the properties of bulk materials and how they interact with environmental factors is vital to safe operations, but having an honest conversation about the hazards, so risks can be properly addressed, could be the most important step toward reducing fire and explosion threats. It should come as no surprise that fires and explosions cost companies billions of dollars each year. Lost productivity, the cost of repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed equipment, settling lawsuits originating from employee injuries or deaths—it all contributes to the total. Industrial operations are particularly familiar with the dangers of explosions (Figure 1), especially those that handle materials such as grain, sulfur, oil and gas, biomass, and wood pellets. Two recent incidents serve as sobering reminders of the significant financial and human costs associated with industrial explosions. 1. ...

 From our friends at www.EngineerLive.com Three systems to prevent or reduce dust explosions 20th April 2021 Online Editor Sugar is combustible and therefore presents an explosion hazard Single piece construction round vent BS&B vent panel with compound dome VSM single piece compound domed vent ...

 From Powder Bulk Solids: "NFPA 654 requires that a risk analysis be performed to evaluate your risk. And the AHJ for your facility makes the determination, based on the risk analysis, of what level of protection is required per NFPA standards and other facts and circumstances." What is the min Pmax or Kst numbers for explosion venting? @ Ask The Experts Explosion Venting/Suppression Q&A   What is the min Pmax or Kst numbers for explosion venting? Answered July 9th, 2013 by Expert: Dr. Gerd Mayer Anything over 0 Kst  technically requires protection against the potential for a combustible dust explosion, but Kst, Pmax, MIE all have to be looked at. Once your dust is tested, NFPA 654 requires that a risk analysis be performed to evaluate your risk. And the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” for your facility—could be your insurance company, fire marshal, building inspector,...

From our friends at Baghouse.com Dust Collector Fire and Explosion Highlights Need for Combustible Dust Considerations In System Design A massive fire and explosion in the dust collection system of a New Hampshire wood pellet manufacturer demonstrates the need for adequate system design to prevent combustible dust explosions in general industry. May 16 2012 – Baghouse.com Editorial | We recently published a news article on Environmental-Expert.com about OSHA’s enforcement actions concerning last year’s combustible dust fire and explosion at the New England Wood Pellet Company’s Jaffrey, New Hampshire wood pellet plant. On October 20 2011, a combustible dust fire began in the wood pellet cooler, most likely caused by a spark or ember from the pellet hammer mill. The fire then spread through the ductwork throughout the plant, eventually reaching the dust collector causing it to explode. When the collector exploded, the explosion vented through the baghouse’s explosio...

Grain elevator had prior explosion in 2008 which caused much more damage and a worker injury. CEO notes that explosion protection best engineering practices lessened the severity of this recent explosion. This incident is a prime example of how ComDust incidents will continue to occur and only the probability and severity can be reduced through best engineering practices and controls. "Explosion vents on the elevator legs and roofs released the brunt of the impact", said fire chief and All Points vice-president of agronomy Mark Ballmer. **I saw this originally on the Combustible Dust Policy Institute blog, and wanted to re-post it here to point out the importance of safety systems such as Explosion Venting and Explosion Protection-