Exponent’s chemical, fire protection, and mechanical engineers offer services for the protection of life, property, business operation, and the environment from the harmful effects of dust fires and explosions.
Exponent engineers have extensive experience in both analytical and experimental investigation and analysis techniques for the investigation and prevention of dust explosions
Our services include:
- Dust explosion origin, cause, and propagation analysis (CFEI's)
- Traditional and performance based code compliance surveys in accordance with national standards including NFPA 61, 484, 654, 655, and 664
- Process hazard analyses of new or existing facilities
- Development of alternative methodologies to mitigate dust explosion hazards
- Design and execution of testing programs to evaluate the hazards of particular dusts
The Prevalence of Dust
Many materials, ranging from baking flour to metal dusts, can fuel dust explosions when present in a finely divided state. Some materials are intentionally used in a powder or dust form in manufacturing while other dusts are created as unintentional byproducts. Examples of materials that have historically caused dust explosions include:
- Cosmetics
- Coal
- Dyes
- Grain and other dry foods
- Metal
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastic and rubber
- Printer toner
- Soaps
- Textiles
- Wood and paper
Recent Trends
In the year 2003 alone, there were at least 14 deaths and 81 injuries related to dust explosions. In response to these and several other recent dust explosions, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) recommended that government agencies, insurers, and others provide their inspectors with increased training on recognition and prevention of dust explosion hazards. This and the publicity from recent catastrophic dust explosions will likely increase enforcement of standards for the prevention of dust explosions by inspectors. When inspectors identify dust explosion hazards or issue citations to facilities, Exponent assists clients in quantifying dust explosion hazards and evaluating the validity of citations issued by government inspectors. We also assist clients in identifying cost-effective methods for abating dust explosion hazards.
Addressing the Issue
Exponent designs testing programs to quantify the dust explosion hazards of materials in clients' facilities using both standard ASTM testing methods and methods developed by Exponent. Based on the measured hazard level, when appropriate, we assist the client in identifying mitigation techniques and applicable standards and regulations for the prevention of dust explosions, including standards developed by the NFPA.
Methods to prevent or mitigate explosions include:
- Preventing releases of fugitive dust into facilities
- Housekeeping to remove accumulations of dust
- Eliminating ignition sources
- Inerting explosive atmospheres
- Fire and explosion suppression systems
- Segregating areas with dust explosion hazards