Important Considerations
The design for explosion protection
must incorporate at least one of these methods:
I.
Reduction
in the oxidant concentration
II.
Dilution
with non-combustible dust
III.
-Deflagration
Control by ventilation, pressure containment, suppression or devices for flame suppression
and containment.
Any part of
the structure that is designed to relieve pressure during an explosion should
be located and constructed so that it poses no accident risk while in use
The most common explosion control mechanisms are:
·
Confinement or containment,
·
Inerting
·
Isolation, suppression or deflagration release
Processing Equipment that generates combustible dust must be
connected to a dust collection system. This system usually consists of a
structure that conveys the dust through pipelines from the point where it is
generated to the final collection point known as a dust collector. Dust can be
transported through the system via mechanical energy (conveyor), or pneumatic
(air). The NFPA 654, includes as collection and material handling equipment,
systems for material transfer, pipelines, power machinery equipment,
separators, conveyors, mixers, dryers and more.
Dust
collectors must be equipped with safety devices that prevent or minimize the
risk of
an explosion during normal operation, as established by NFPA 654
Filter systems for dust collectors cannot be replaced by
alternative type systems unless
a complete fire risk assessment is performed and
it has been properly documented and
approved by management.
It is recommended that whenever possible, locate
bucket elevators outside the building.
For systems that handle metal particulate
is necessary to classify the material as:
·
water,
compatible
·
non-
compatible with water, and
·
water-reactive,
to determine the fire
protection system appropriate to the material properties.
Walls and internal partitions construction in areas
where combustible dust is present,
usually require a minimum fire resistance protection
of at least 1hr.
If the material transfer equipment is used for various
products you must verify the
compatibility between products prior to using the equipment.
It is of upmost importance to always keep the horizontal
surfaces and work area clean of
material accumulation.
In the event that some areas are difficult to reach or cannot
be easily cleaned, the
recommendation is to completely seal them off.
The
initial and refresher training to employees should include the area hazards,
process
description, procedures, equipment, fire and explosion protection
systems,
maintenance requirements, cleaning and emergency response plans.
The equipment maintenance includes frequent inspections to
detect and remove product accumulation in critical areas.
APPENDIX A
– OSHA STANDARDS
What
standards or guidelines are available?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Currently there is under approval process an OSHA standard
that would cover industrial operations where combustible dusts are present.
Although there is still no comprehensive standard for all operations that
handle combustible dusts, several OSHA standards indicate certain key
provisions for the control of risks associated with the handling of combustible
dust in industrial operations. The standards discussed in this section are
mandatory according to the type of industry applicable to your particular
operation.
1910.22
- General Requirements (see Housekeeping)
1910.22
(a) (1) All places of employment,
passageways, storage areas and service should be kept clean, in order and
hygienic.
1910.22 (a) (2) the floor of each work area must be
kept clean and kept dry as much as possible.
Since these are general requirements, they apply
to all general industry operations covered by the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) 29.1910
1910.38 - Emergency Action Plans
1910.39 - Fire Prevention Plans
1910.157 - Portable Fire
Extinguishers
1910.165 - Employee alarm systems
These
standards require employers to establish emergency action plans, including fire’
indicate the minimum necessary procedures to respond to emergencies, the equipment
requirements for fire prevention and training requirements for personnel
For
areas Class II, Groups E and F where combustible dust is present, the only
trucks approved are those designated as EE or EX. For the Group G the approved
designation will be only GS, LPS, DS, DY, ES, EE, or EX. All these designations
provide mechanisms to prevent that electrical or combustion systems of the
equipment enter unwanted ignition sources in areas where dust are present.
1910.94 – Ventilation
Related to abrasive blasting systems, the standard indicates that if flammable or
explosive mixtures of dust are present, the work area must be constructed to
provide secure mechanisms to release pressure in case of explosion. It incorporates
by reference the NFPA 68 the requirements for the area construction and for security
mechanisms.
1910.119
- Process Safety Management (PSM)
The
purpose of this standard is to prevent or reduce the catastrophic consequences
that arise from the handling of highly hazardous materials processes. The
applicability of the standard depends on the type of material and the amount of
material used in the process. Refer to Appendix A for a list of materials covered
under the standard.
1910.132 - Personal Protective
Equipment
The facility must have implemented the program including a risk
analysis of each task for the selection of the equipment. Clothing and
accessories for use in areas where combustible dust is present must include
fire-resistant clothing and electrically rated footwear.
1910.176
- Material Handling and Storage
This
standard generally covers the basic requirements for proper handling of
materials. Section 1910.176 c) specifies that storage areas be kept free of
accumulation of material that may cause danger of falling, tripping, fire,
explosion or pests.
1910.178 - Industrial Forklifts
Table N-1 of the standard defines what kind of truck is
suitable for use in handling and transportation of combustible dusts for Class
II, Groups E, F, G. The type of forklift is identified by letters indicating which
fuel or energy is used to operate the motor, and the equipment safety devices.
1910.263 - Bakery Equipment
Section 1910.263 (k) identifies the electrical safety
requirements for equipment used to pulverize sugar and / or spices and section
1910.263 (l) establishes requirements for equipment / mechanisms to release
pressure in case of explosion.
1910.265 - Sawmills Operations
The standard applies to sawmill operations such as, logging,
handling, cutting, sanding, handling and storage of timber or related products.
Establishes requirements to prevent fire or explosion of dust collection
equipment, electrical protection for certain equipment and also minimum cleaning
frequency requirements of the work area
1910.272 - Grain Handling Facilities
This was the first standard written specifically
to control risks associated with grain handling, classified as combustible
dust. It is aimed primarily at grain handling operations for the food industry
and specifies the procedures, equipment
requirements
and safe work practices for that type of operation. Typically, the silos are
considered confined spaces and therefore must
also refer to Standard 1910.146 - Confined Spaces for safety considerations
when working in silos or similar spaces.
1910.307 - Hazardous Locations
This standard defines the requirements for electrical equipment and
wiring to be used in electrically classified areas based on the properties of flammable
liquids, solids or gases, combustible dusts and / or flammable fibers present
in that area. It references the NFPA 70
standard.
1910.1200 - Hazard Communication
This standard requires besides the identification of health
hazards, the physical hazards present in the work area including but not
limited combustible dusts. Each employer is responsible for obtaining the
information about the safe handling of these materials and providing such
information to their employees through
signs, labels, notices. The employer must provide training related to the
handling and proper use of the material as well as ways to protect employees from
the hazards associated with particular material.