Is combustible dust a health hazard?

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions. A dust explosion can cause catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and destruction of buildings.

Why is combustible dust dangerous?

Combustible dust, as the name eludes to, are small particles of dust that can become highly explosive under certain conditions. This phenomenon is so dangerous because dust builds up everywhere, and even the smallest amount can cause a deadly explosion under the right conditions.

What hazard class is combustible dust?

Class II hazardous
NFPA 70, National Electrical Code , defines a Class II hazardous (classified) location as one that is hazardous because of the presence of a combustible dust.

What is considered a combustible dust?

The combustible dust NEP defines combustible dust as a solid combustible material, composed of distinct pieces or particles, 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.” A number of voluntary …

Does OSHA have a combustible dust standard?

The combustible dust NEP allows OSHA to inspect facilities in any industry where combustible dust could be a hazard. However, an emphasis program is not a standard or a law. OSHA cannot specifically cite a company for violations of the combustible dust NEP.

What are the 5 elements of combustible dust explosion?

The five elements of a combustible dust explosion include oxygen, heat, fuel, dispersion, and confinement.

What is not a combustible dust?

Metals typically don’t even burn as a solid, so it’s hard to believe that when ground up they become an explosion risk. Aluminum, iron, bronze, zinc and magnesium are all metals that become a combustion risk when found as dust. Yet, this is probably the type of dust that most people ignore and don’t consider dangerous.

How to avoid combustible dust explosions?

Remove combustible dust. You will eliminate an explosion hazard by storing combustible dust outside the processing facility.

How do combustible dust explosions happen?

Combustible explosions of dust happen when five elements coincide, forming the so-called Dust Explosion Pentagon. These elements are: Dispersion of dust particles, which happens when accumulated dust is suspended in air, forming the explosive dust cloud.

Is dust flammable?

A combustible dust is any dust (fine material) that has the potential to catch fire and explode when mixed with air. A material that is not combustible or flammable under many circumstances can potentially act as a combustible dust if it is present as a fine particle and mixed with air in a particular concentration.

Does a combustible dust test?

Combustible Dust Testing Go – No Go Testing (Explosive Screening) – ASTM E1226. This is an economical and practical way to determine if the dust in the sample has the potential to be Explosion Severity (Kst, Pmax, [dP/dt]max) – ASTM E1226. Minimum Explosion Concentration (MEC) – ASTME1515.