Industrial Fire Prevention

From our friends at Canadian Biomass Magazine: https://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/defining-combustible-dusts-does-particle-size-matter/  Defining combustible dusts: does particle size matter? January 18, 2021 By Eric Brideau In a processing or manufacturing facility that handles wood or agricultural materials, there can be solid particulates and dusts with varying particle size distributions that exist throughout the process, some of which may be combustible dusts that are explosible in dust cloud form. But what exactly is a combustible dust, and how can you determine if combustible dust hazards exist in your facility? Conditions for explosions First, it’s critical to understand the conditions that can cause combustible dust explosions. Many wood and agricultural materials are not easily burned in their raw form but may be explosible in dry particulate or dust form....

BIOMASS DUST FIRE AND EXPLOSION CONTROL from Biomass Handling BIOMASS DUST FIRE AND EXPLOSION CONTROL April 24, 2013 Introduction Fires have always been a problem in wood processing plants, particularly in those that handle dry material, including wood finishing plants, panelboard plants and wood pellet facilities; less so in sawmills. Historically, most sawmills in BC were accustomed to processing `green’ wood with moisture contents of 40 – 55%, wet basis.  While not unknown, fires were not a common experience with such wet wood, and explosions were unheard of. So, the fires and explosions in northern BC in 2011 and 2012, which resulted in the total destruction of two large sawmills, multiple deaths and injuries, is great cause for concern.  Everyone is asking, “What happened?” The relevant safety authorities are currently investigating both incidents and at this point in time, firm causes have yet to be identified. There has been speculatio...