THE DANGER OF COMBUSTIBLE DUST
WHAT IS COMBUSTIBLE DUST ?
Combustible dust is any material (finely divided solid particles) that has the ability to disperse in the air, ignite and cause an explosion when exposed to a source of combustion. Combustible dusts may include materials that are in the physical state of powders, flakes, fibers, etc. Some of these materials are not usually combustible, but they can burn or explode if their particles are the right size and present in the right concentration. Thus, any activity that creates dust should be examined more closely to see if the dust is combustible. Dust can accumulate on surfaces such as rafters, roofs, suspended ceilings, ducts, crevices, dust collectors and other equipment. Under certain circumstances, if the dust is stirred up, a large explosion can occur. Accumulation of even small amounts of dust can cause significant damage.
Whether in the wood industry, the synthetic materials industry, the chemical industry such as plastics or paint, the food industry such as flour or sugar, or the textile industry such as cotton and the metal industry such as aluminum or magnesium, combustible dusts are present in a large number of industries.
Combustible dust explosions can occur in all branches of industry when the products handled are in the form of fine particles and when they are oxidizable materials.
Deflagration
Deflagration is the term used for combustible dust explosions. In fact, a deflagration is a fire like any other fire, and when there is a fire, there is also a substance of some sort that will burn and release heat, gas, particles, and sparks. However, when it comes to dust explosions, this deflagration happens so quickly that the heat mixed with gaseous fuels, such as carbon dioxide, creates such intense air pressure that it creates an explosion. This type of explosion can destroy the area where it occurs. Dust explosions should not be underestimated.
HOW TO DETERMINE THE RISK OF EXPLOSION?
In order to determine if the location could be subject to a potential explosion or fire hazard, there are several variants to analyze.
You must consider the size of the particles, the way they are dispersed in the environment, the ventilation properties, the air currents that can circulate the dust, the sources of combustibles, the places where the dust can accumulate, the organization of the premises with physical obstacles. Then, evaluate the premises with a qualified person in order to have a precise idea of the level of danger and risk. Several professionals can guide you in a process like this : safety engineer, industrial hygienist, dusting engineer, etc.
What is important to know is that when it comes to factories in Canada, there are obligations in the presence of combustible dusts. Administrators must comply with NFPA standards by conducting a risk analysis. This analysis must be completed by a qualified engineer and the results must be available at all times in the plant.
