What are the biggest misconceptions manufacturers have relative to their OSHA responsibilities related to combustible dust?

The biggest misconception among manufacturers is that OSHA is just presenting them with a guideline, not with something they have to do. The fact is, OSHA is beefing up enforcement of safety measures on several fronts, and combustible dust has become one of the top priorities since the agency re-issued its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on this topic in March 2008.

Under the OSHA NEP, manufacturers are required to follow applicable NFPA standards including the revamped NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting, which provides mandatory requirements for dust collection applications involving explosive dusts. Sometimes other safety standards such as Factory Mutual may be applied instead, but these are no less stringent than NFPA and all are treated as legal code by nearly every town and county in the U.S.

For additional information, read the article, Five Ways New Explosion Venting Requirements For Dust Collectors Affect You. The article can be downloaded as a PDF.

FAQ: Can I place a dust collector inside the facility if we are handling a material with a high Kst?

Yes, a dust collector can be placed inside the confines of a facility even though it may have a relatively high deflagration index (Kst). Both explosion venting and chemical suppression may be options depending on the location of the collector within the facility and its vicinity to an outside wall or ceiling.

Explosion venting can be selected if the dust collector's locale in the facility is within acceptable ducting distance limits as dictated by NFPA 68 calculations. Venting can be accomplished either horizontally or vertically depending on existing space restrictions and utility obstructions that may exist. There is also a flameless venting option available that allows the deflagration to vent inside the facility. This method extinguishes the flame from the vented explosion not allowing it to exit the device.

Chemical suppression (and chemical isolation for the ducting) is the preferred method of deflagration protection for hazardous materials. Explosion suppression systems are designed to detect and chemically suppress an explosion in its earliest stages - before an explosion can cause a disaster or become catastrophic. This prevents the flame and material from being released from the collector into the surrounding environment, protecting personnel and property.

- For more information, read the informative article, Asking the Right Questions About Cartridge Dust Collection. Another relevant article is Five Ways New Explosion Venting Requirements For Dust Collectors Affect You.

FAQ: Who is the NFPA?

The NFPA (in regard to industrial dust collectors) is the National Fire Protection Association, a U.S. organization that creates and maintains minimum standards and requirements for fire prevention and suppression activities, training, and equipment, as well as other life-safety codes and standards.

NFPA 68 is one of the standards that affects you if you're in the market for a dust collection system. It is the Standard on Explosion and Protection by Deflagration Venting. It applies to the design, location, installation, maintenance, and use of devices and systems that vent combustion gases and pressures resulting from a deflagration (explosion) within an enclosure so the structural and mechanical damage is minimized.

It's technical! To ensure compliance, work with a trained expert who knows these standards well, keeps up with the latest revisions, and how they apply to industrial dust collectors.