Combustible Dust Hazards
Prioritizing combustible dust hazard prevention is crucial for protecting assets and reducing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, it aids in minimizing down time and replacement cost resulting from dust explosions and fires. Mitigating these hazards is vital for environmental protection, preventing the release of pollutants, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Effective review of combustible dust hazards requires a holistic and proactive approach, involving multiple disciplines and ongoing efforts to maintain a high level of safety. Connect with AcuTech to explore how our consultants can recommend combustible dust hazard risk reduction strategies to create safer operations.
AcuTech offers services to help organizations manage and mitigate combustible dust hazards effectively. AcuTech’s DHA methodology aligns with What-If and LOPA procedures and guidelines. It aims to identify potential risks of fires and explosions related to combustible powder and dust handling and processing. The methodology evaluates current risks and recommends mitigation measures to lower associated risks to a tolerable level. DHAs are conducted in accordance with RAGAGEP including requirements of NFPA 652-2019, NFPA 61-2020 and the 2017 CCPS book Guidelines for Combustible Dust Hazard Analysis.
AcuTech consultants’ experience with combustible dust hazard analyses & risk assessments allows for the identification and evaluation of potential fire, flash fire, or explosion hazards. Our services offer practical context-based prescriptive requirements, simplifying compliance efforts. AcuTech assists in coordinating combustible dust testing requirements, developing tailored combustible dust testing plans, and evaluating equipment explosion protection designs. Moreover, our expertise extends to combustible dust hazard training and providing crucial management system support. Reach out to benefit from AcuTech’s comprehensive expertise in process safety and risk management.
- Combustible dust hazard analysis & risk assessments (DHA)
- Management system support
- Interpret NFPA standards and provide context based on prescriptive requirements
- Identify & coordinate combustible dust testing requirements
- Develop combustible dust testing plan
- Evaluate equipment explosion protection designs
- Combustible dust hazard training
AcuTech’s consultants are well versed in codes and standards developed by industry bodies and will refer to these as well as each client’s local jurisdiction codes and standards. A sampling of the relevant codes and standards can be found below.
- NFPA 652: Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust. This standard from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides fundamental requirements for managing combustible dust fire and explosion hazards across industries.
- NFPA 654: Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids. NFPA 654 focuses on the prevention of fires and dust explosions in facilities that handle combustible particulate solids. It outlines requirements for dust hazard analysis (DHA) and provides recommendations for mitigating risks.
- NFPA 61: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities. NFPA 61 specifically addresses combustible dust hazards in agricultural and food processing facilities. It covers requirements for equipment, processes, and housekeeping to prevent fires and explosions.
- NFPA 484: Standard for Combustible Metals. NFPA 484 addresses the specific hazards associated with combustible metals, providing guidelines for the safe handling, processing, and storage of these materials.
- OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). While not a standard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a Combustible Dust NEP that provides guidelines for OSHA inspectors to evaluate the presence of combustible dust hazards in workplaces.
- European Standard EN 61241 Series. The EN 61241 series comprises several standards that address electrical equipment used in the presence of combustible dust. EN 61241-0, EN 61241-1, EN 61241-14, and others provide requirements for design, testing, and use of such equipment.