"New Explosion Relief Standards Impact Coating Equipment"

Exponent engineers Richard J. Martin, Ph.D., P.E. and Erik W. Christiansen, Ph.D., P.E. have published an article in the Organic Finishing section of the July/August 2007 issue of Metal Finishing magazine titled, "New Explosion Relief Standards Impact Coating Equipment", about explosion venting requirements for paint spray booths and organic coating ovens.

The article discusses the recent adoption of a brand-new explosion relief standard (NFPA 68 "Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting") and how an apparent contradiction exists between the new standard and a long-established standard (NFPA 86 "Standard for Ovens and Furnaces"). The article gives examples of design conditions where one standard or the other may provide the more conservative explosion protection and suggests an approach for manufacturers and users to comply with both standards, until they become harmonized by NFPA in future editions.

The article can be reviewed in its entirety at the Metal Finishing website by clicking here.