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DUST EXPLOSION PREVENTION USING EXPLOSION VENTS AND DUST COLLECTOR SYSTEMS
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Are you aware of the many potential hazards dust can bring to your workplace? If so, then you should talk with your managers and safety officers, especially if you are working in these types of workplaces and industries:
Chemical manufacturing such as rubber, plastics and pharmaceuticals
Coal-fired power plants
Food production
Grain elevators
Metal processing such as zinc, magnesium, aluminum and iron
Recycling facilities including plants processing paper, plastics, and metals
Woodworking facilities
The Dangers of Dust
Dusts are created when materials are:
Transported and handled
Processed and polished
Shaped and grounded
Cut and crushed
Mixed and sifted
How do you plan to keep it safe?
Dust explosion prevention
in the workplace
Keep your workplace safe from potential dust explosion. Learn how you can eliminate dust and secure safety within your premises with these helpful tips and recommendations.
Elimination of potential "danger spots"
Prevention is better than cure and for dust explosion prevention, eliminating these horizontal spaces and hidden areas could mean saving your employees life. These spaces and areas include:
Light fittings
Window
Beams
Ledges
For cleaning, avoid using brooms or compressed air hoses. Instead, use industrial vacuums approved for dust collection such as Pneuvay Engineering's AirVac unit.
Substitution of rough surfaces
with smoother ceilings
Rough surfaces attracts more dust. Replace these with smooth ceilings to minimise dust accumulation and to make regular cleaning easier and more efficient.
Hiring an expert dust collection
engineering company
You need an expert company with years of experience installing reliable dust collection systems that knows how to appropriately design and install dust collection and extraction systems. They should be able to:
Choose suitable electrical and ventilation equipment and locate dust collectors outdoors
Use dust collection systems with the inlet located as close to the dust producing process
Reduce or eliminate sparks from static electricity through bonding and grounding of equipment
Remove open flames, sparks, friction, heat sources, and other sources of ignition
Wrap covers around pipes and cables, or embed pipes and cables in the walls, where possible, to reduce surfaces where dust can accumulate
Installing explosion vent and
pressure relief systems
One of the most common explosion protection strategies is the installation of explosion vents. These help by directing explosions along a path that has been designated to be kept clear or minimised for usage rather than explode in all directions. Explosion panels have the ability to save many lives.
Choose a company that is skilled and experienced in the design and selection of the appropriate explosion vents. Check if they have the engineering capabilities to verify the recommended explosion vents and proposed installation designs panels meet standard requirements?
Pneuvay Engineering represents STIF, the manufacturer of the VigilEx range of explosion vents. STIF is a global leader in the design, manufacture, supply, certification and installation of explosion vents. They use advanced cutting machinery, presses and other metal working machines to ensure all of their products and services deliver as required. Moreover, they test their vent panels according to EN 14797 and manufacture these under the CE Examination certificate type INERIS 08TEX0038X.
Watch this video to show how explosion venting works:
Dust collection and explosion venting efficacy in preventing and reducing impacts from dust explosion depends on their ongoing performance. Regular inspection, repair and maintenance of your dust collection systems and explosion vents or panels is required.
Keeping all electrical and mechanical equipment in good repair
Regularly inspecting all grounded and bonded equipment to ensure the bonds are in good condition
Checking equipment that may wear such as bearings and valves
Talk to us at 1300721458.
Establishment of safety practises regarding
dust in the workplace
Ultimately, you need to establish clear administration protocol in the workplace to avoid dust accumulation. Do this by:
Developing and implementing a combustible dust inspection and control program that would clearly outline inspection frequency and how dust would be controlled
Developing an ignition control program to reduce, if not eliminate, potential sources of ignition
Educating all employees about combustible hazards and how they can help eliminate the risk of fire and explosions in the workplace
Implementing the housekeeping program to ensure dust is regularly removed
Using proper equipment and techniques when cleaning dust
Following these recommendations would lessen your workplace's risk of dust explosion. Ask the experts. Contact us, today.
