The dust must be combustible and release enough heat when it burns to sustain the fire. The following chart illustrates the types of material involved in combustible dust explosions. A deflagration is an "ordinary" fire such as a gas stove, burning wood or paper, and even the burning of gasoline vapor inside the cylinder of an automobile. The first question as part of a combustible dust evaluation is whether combustible dusts are present at your facility. Metal processing and manufacturing (e.g., zinc, magnesium, aluminum, iron), Recycling facilities (e.g., paper, plastics, metals), and, Coal mining, processing or coal-fired power plants. If such a dust is suspended in air in the right concentration, under certain conditions, it can become explosible. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) defines combustible dust as "any finely divided solid material that is 420 microns or smaller in diameter and presents a fire or explosion hazard when dispersed and ignited in air." Any combustible material can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. Toll free 1-800-668-4284 Our comprehensive online resources are dedicated to safety professionals and decision makers like you. What is Combustible Dust? Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Precautions for Firefighters to Prevent Dust Explosions, Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. ). If you determine combustible dust is a potential issue, a combustible dust program should be implemented based upon OSHA's national emphasis program on combustible dust: CPL 03-00-008, NFPA 654: "Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids," as well as NFPA 61: "Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities. In the wood processing industries, it must pay great attention for layer fires as the ignition source of dust explosion when the combustible dust possesses deposit surfaces of large incline angles and great permeability. Combustible dust is defined as a solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of . By: Karoly Ban Matei Shannyn Talley (e.g., wet cutting methods, liquid ingredients, etc.). The trick is that just about any material can become combustible under the right conditions. Combustible dust is a substance made up of combustible particulate solid that, under certain conditions, can become highly explosive. VAC-U-MAX January 1, 2022. "77:g77:6:i6<767:;g7=78::797:7<:87:77;;:i78:9:97:64787<7;7h7f767:6=:f:<6679" + Combustible dust is a common source of indoor air pollution. Technically, combustible dust, also known as explosive dust, is composed of fine particulate material that arises as a by-product of those manufacturing processes where combustible raw materials are used. Combustible fine particles of wood dust, also known as "deflagrable" wood dust, are classified as having a diameter of 420 microns (0.425mm, 425 um micrometers, 0.0165 inch) or smaller, and . This means it presents a serious fire or deflagration hazard, and as such, measures need to be taken to prevent an explosion. The concentration of dust and air must be within the upper and lower explosive limits for the dust involved.Measurements of the lower explosive limits of many materials are available, and for many organic materials the limit is in the range 10 - 50g/m3. What is combustible dust? Explains combustible dust. many metals, and some nonmetallic inorganic materials. When this dust becomes airborne, it also ignites. "<32)j+=94;y+=String.fromCharCode(j)}y"; Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety defines combustible dust as "any fine material that has the ability to catch fire and explode when mixed with air." Combustible dust can easily collect in common and uncommon areas. Organic dust, such as flour, sugar, paper, soap, and dried blood. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! Figure from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and WorksafeBC. Still others have been much higher. Combustible dust is any fine material that can catch fire and explode if it becomes airborne and meets an ignition source. This produces extreme air pressure that can blow out walls and destroy structures. An ignition source must be in contact with the dust suspension. Control ignition sources, such as bond and ground conductive equipment. What Is Combustible Dust? the sources of combustible dust (e.g., the materials and processes used in the manufacturing methods), the areas where combustible dust accumulates (e.g., visible or hidden equipment, beams, pipes, etc. That's the standard that requires you, as an owner or operator of a facility handling or processing combustible dust, to: determine your dust's combustibility and explosibility hazards (often by commissioning lab tests) to conduct a DHA - i.e., a Dust Hazards Analysis - at your facility A combustible dust explosion, however, can be self -perpetuating. A recent industrial explosion in Singapore left three workers dead and several more injured. Smithfield Packing. Confinement means the dust is in an enclosed or limited space. The company was fined $279,400. Copyright 20022021, Workplace Safety, Inc. Dust Test Measurements PARTICLE SIZE (microns): Some materials are very inert as large pieces, but will burn rapidly in small particulate. The following are some examples of combustible dust: Wood dust Coal and carbon dust Biosolids Textile materials Organic dust (e.g. Combustible dust can be composed of many materials you'd expect to be flammable, such as grains and wood dust. In a dust explosion, the deflagration processes happens so rapidly that the heated air and gaseous fire products (such as carbon dioxide) produce extreme air pressure that can blow out walls and destroy structures. These conditions form an explosive atmosphere where the dust particles ignite when they come into contact with an ignition source. Immediately report unsafe conditions that can lead to ignition of the combustible dust such as: Immediately report spills of combustible dust to their supervisor, Immediately report any process issues or equipment failure, Presence of sparks in the combustible dust area. Dust explosions have occurred in many different types of workplaces and industries, including: Dusts are created when materials are transported, handled, processed, polished, ground and shaped. 905-572-2981 | HR and Safety Manager, Safeopedia provides a platform for EHS professionals to learn, collaborate, have access to FREE content, and feel supported. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) defines combustible dust as a finely divided combustible particulate solid that presents a flash-fire hazard or explosion hazard when suspended in air or the process-specific oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations in Standard 652-2019, The Fundamentals of Combustible Dust. Subscribe to the Safeopedia newsletter to stay on top of current industry trends and up-to-date know-how from subject matter authorities. Scheduled maintenance - Thursday, July 12 at 5:00 PM A deflagration is an "ordinary" fire such as a gas stove, burning wood or paper, and even the burning of gasoline vapour inside the cylinder of an automobile. There is a form of confinement or enclosure that allows pressure to build. The build-up of even a very small amount of dust can cause serious damage. , bearings) as they may generate heat and become an ignition source. The technical definitions for combustible dust vary. Thanks for a very informative, effective training session (30-Hour Complying with OSHA). The force from such an explosion can cause employee deaths, injuries, and destruction of entire buildings. These can include powders, dusts, fines, fibers, flakes, chips, chunks, metal sponge, swarf, and turnings." HOW DO COMBUSTIBLE DUST EXPLOSIONS HAPPEN? Combustible dust refers to any metallic or non-metallic airborne dust that is capable of causing a fire explosion. Examples of materials include: There are many, many more types of materials that may become a combustible dust. Confinement of the dust cloud. All rights reserved. The following OSHA publications contain voluntary guidelines for employers and employees. Eliminate "hidden" areas where dust can accumulate unnoticed. Combustable Materials. If you work with elements such as metals, solid organic materials (e.g. A fire will not spread without fuel: If no new fuel is available, the fire will die out. Dispersion means the dust particles are suspended in air. If the other two elements are present, then a combustible dust . Older Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) may not provide the same information so additional research may be necessary. : paper, soap, sugar, flour) Plastic dust Aluminum and magnesium (See below for extensive list) Services Main Page, most solid organic materials (such as sugar, flour, grain, wood, etc. 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. In addition, a combustible particulate solid is defined as: "Any solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition that presents a fire hazard.". "::6;6f77::75::7=;f75:;76647;7:;9:;;j::787::f7;7::76;6h:f74757:7h7=7=7::<66" + Currently, OSHA fines from these inspections have fallen under several general categories: Section 5 (a) (1) General Duty Clause. , behind false ceilings, inside ventilation or conveyor equipment, in ducts, on support beams, etc. Once these particles are suspended in air, they can either become flammable or explosive, or both. Thus far, OSHA does not have a mandatory combustible dust standard for general industry. Copyright 1997-2022 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety. Editorial Review Policy. The CSB has labelled the need for a standard as the first issue in its Most Wanted Chemical Safety Improvement program. Combustible dust explosions are often characterized by rapid total ignition and consumption of the whole quantity of flammable dust products. For example, 3 workers were killed in a 2010 titanium dust explosion in West Virginia, and 14 workers were killed in a 2008 sugar dust explosion in Georgia. Contact us to let us know. A wide variety of materials that can be explosible in dust form exist in many industries. Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion. Combustible dusts can be from: most solid organic materials (such as sugar, flour, grain, wood, etc. ) The dust may not even be normally combustible; however, when combined with the right conditions, the dust can burn or even explode. Choose Yours, WIS Show: Step it up! Combustible Dust: An Explosion Hazard OSHA Guidance The following OSHA publications contain voluntary guidelines for employers and employees. 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These mechanical actions include, but are not limited to, handling, crushing and grinding. Be familiar with the materials hazards and the work area hazards before you start your work activities. These include, but are not limited to: Metal dust such as aluminum and magnesium. The risk of an explosion or fire due to combustible dust is often unknown or underappreciated in workplaces where combustible dust incidents occur. While almost any health or safety hazard could be cited . "/m? However, combustible dust should not be ignored. Types of combustible dust include organic, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, textiles and more. Are there documented cases reported in literature about the materials in your workplace being associated with a combustible dust explosion? A common cause of combustible dust incidents is improper cleanup of dust due to poor workplace housekeeping. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), combustible dust is "a combustible particulate solid material that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations, regardless of particle size or shape." Even materials that do not burn in larger pieces (such as aluminum and iron . NFPA 652-2019 gives information on identifying and managing the fire and explosion dangers brought on by combustible dusts. Combustible dust explosions require five elements to occur: Oxygen Workplaces may either purchase such materials for use, or generate dusts as part of their processes. We expect this update to take about an hour. 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