Many manufacturing and mining industries create large amounts of Combustible Dust that have the potential of becoming highly explosive and causing fatalities and millions of dollars in damage.

More than 450 accidents involving combustible dust have killed nearly 130 workers and injured another 800-plus since 1980, according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis of data compiled by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. These fires and explosions have been caused by a variety of dust sources including sugar, nylon fiber, coal, iron, plastic and wood. Most in the manufacturing industry are aware of some of the dangers and have read or seen reports of these explosions in the news.

An explosion ripped through the New Cumberland A.L. Solutions titanium plant in West Virginia on December 9, 2010, fatally injuring three workers. The plant workers were processing titanium powder at the time of the explosion. The AL Solutions incident is one of nine serious combustible dust incidents investigated by the CSB since 2003, including the Imperial Sugar disaster near Savannah, Georgia, in 2008 as well as three combustible dust incidents over a six month period in 2011 at the Hoeganaes facility located in Gallatin, TN. These nine explosions and fires caused a total of 36 deaths and 128 injuries.

Dust and other debris will always be present in the manufacturing process. Since dust is inevitable in the process, manufacturing facilities must take the proper measures to understand the risks, learn as much as possible about the threat and take solid measures to prevent potential hazards and be prepared should an incident take place.

What is Combustible Dust?

The technical definitions for combustible dust will differ depending on the source that you reference. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States defines combustible dust 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 concentrations”. In Canada, one example is Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code which defines combustible dust as “a dust that can create an explosive atmosphere when it is suspended in the air in ignitable concentrations”.

What are examples of materials that can be a combustible dust hazard?

Believe it or not the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists over 120 materials as combustible dust makers. See the chart below for a full list:

What Industries Are at Risk for Combustible Dust?

OSHA notes some of the industries at risk include:

• Agriculture
• Food
• Pharmaceutical
• Pesticide
• Rubber
• Plastic
• Woodworking
• Textiles
• Chemical
• Recycling
• Coal fired Power Plants

Causes of a Combustible Dust Explosion

There are three elements needed for a dust fire to
occur and is referred to as the “Fire Triangle”. They are:

• Combustible dust (i.e. the fuel)
• Oxygen
• Heat source

There are also two additional elements needed to cause a combustible dust explosion, often called the “Dust Explosion Pentagon”

• Dispersion of dust particle in sufficient quantity
• Confinement of the dust cloud

Secondary Explosions

After the initial combustible dust explosion, there is often a secondary explosion caused. The second explosion is caused by dust that is shaken loose from the primary explosion which also ignites. The secondary explosion may be actually larger and more severe than the initial explosion.

Conditions Needed for a Dust Explosion to Occur

The simple recipe for a dust explosion to happen is for combustible dust particles to be suspended in air and include an ignition source. In reality, several other conditions generally need to be present

• The combustible dust must release enough heat to sustain the fire.
• The dust must be suspended in air.
• The dust must have a particle size large enough to spread the flame.
• The concentration of the dust suspension must be within the explosive range.
• An ignition source must be in contact with the suspended dust.
• Adequate oxygen must be present to support and sustain combustion

Dust Hazard Assessment for Your Facility

Plants should carefully look at the following areas to determine the potential for dust explosions:

• Materials
• Processes
• Open Areas of dust
• Hidden Areas of dust
• Dust dispersion sources
• Ignition sources

Preventative Measures

• Develop a housekeeping plan
• Use only approved vacuum cleaners for dust collection
• Find and eliminate hidden areas where dust accumulates
• If possible, avoid or minimize horizontal surface where dust may accumulate
• Use cleaning methods that do not generate dust clouds
• Use proper electrical and ventilation systems

Administration

• Develop and implement a combustible dust inspection and control program including when inspections will take place and specific actions to control dust.
• Develop a hot work permit system for activities such as welding and cutting.
• Develop an ignition control program to eliminate or reduce sources of ignition. Keep ignition sources away from dusty areas or use suitable controls.
• Educate and train employees regarding the hazards of combustible dusts and their role in eliminating the threat of explosions
• Inspect for dust at regular intervals.
• Regularly inspect machines, ducts, and ventilation systems for dust.

How to Select an Anti Static Explosion Proof Vacuum Cleaner

HafcoVac explosion proof vacuum cleaners are safe for use as part of a combustible dust control program and are suitable for many flammable and combustible materials. With no motors to arc and no moving parts to create friction or spark, our non-electric explosion proof vacuums are a safe, reliable and cost-effective solution for your business.

HafcoVac explosion proof vacuum cleaners bond all components of the vacuum together, ensuring no part is left isolated from its path to ground. When used in conjunction How to Select an Anti Static Explosion Proof Vacuum Cleaner with our MSHA approved static conductive hose, a HafcoVac explosion proof vacuum is an economical alternative to other products which often sell for many times the cost.

With performance uncompromised by explosion-proof vacuum safeguards, an upgrade to an explosion-proof vacuum cleaner will perform with the same power HafcoVac is known for. Best of all, you don’t have to sacrifice your budget to protect your business and employees.

If you are unsure if dust ignition proof vacuum equipment is necessary for your application or facility, a HafcoVac representative will gladly provide a thorough application analysis to ensure appropriate product selection.

Intrinsic Safety

HafcoVac explosion-proof industrial vacuums are suitable for use in Class I, Class II, and Class III environments, Division 1 and 2. Our explosion-proof pneumatic vacuums:

• contains no moving parts, eliminating the possibility of ignition from mechanical friction or contact.
• uses no electricity, eliminating sparks from motor arcing, shorts, switches, etc.
• are fully grounded when an explosion-proof vacuum unit configuration is ordered, ensuring dangerous static electricity will not accumulate.

Intrinsic Safety is a protection technique for equipment operating in explosive environments. The principle states that electrical and thermal energy must not build up sufficiently to discharge. With heat or friction risks such as those present when using an electrically operated industrial vacuum safely eliminated, static electricity remains.

The complete grounding of all components, including air supply line, vacuum generating head, collection drum, dolly and vacuum hose ensure that static electricity is continuously dissipated, protecting against dangerous static buildup, which could lead to electrostatic discharge (ESD), posing potentially serious consequences when in the presence of combustible substances. HafcoVac explosion-proof vacuum models factory equipped as an explosion-proof configuration ensures static electricity will not accumulate.

It is critically important that the operator understands the functions of the grounding system. Inspections are suggested prior to each use to ensure the integrity of all grounding wires and points. Care must be taken to not circumvent any grounding safeguards, and should also be exercised to ensure parts such as hoses aren’t used interchangeably with those from non-explosion proof systems.

Are HafcoVac’s Vacuums Certified Explosion Proof?

To this date, there are no published certification procedures for air-powered (pneumatic) equipment.

HafcoVac anti-static grounded units (“x” model designation) machines meet the criteria for intrinsically safe operation – no moving parts, non-electric & fully grounded means the unit will not spark and will not generate dangerous amounts of heat.

Additionally, we have designed these machines specifically for use in hazardous locations – building in a double safeguard of conductive static dissipative materials & connections, coupled with complete grounding of all components of the unit.

An independent testing lab has stated that our “X” line can be used in hazardous locations, specifically in Class I, Class II, & Class III environments, divisions 1&2.

HafcoVac explosion proof vacuum cleaners are suitable for a wide range of applications. Safeguard your business from worker injury, OSHA fines or catastrophic incident by protecting your facility with HafcoVac’s safe non-electric anti-static vacuum cleaners.

Download the White Paper

OSHA and NFPA Standards HafcoVac Vacuums Help You Comply With

_{HafcoVac is providing information on pertinent OSHA and NFPA standards as a convenience to our customers. Our reference to OSHA, NFPA, MSHA or other governing bodies is not intended to be construed as an endorsement of this, or any specific product, by the respective agency.}