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Fire Suppression for Dust Collectors
Fire Suppression for Dust Collectors
A byproduct of many manufacturing processes is dust—airborne particles that travel throughout a facility and cause many forms of hazards. Some particles are toxic, and irritate the eyes, skin, and even respiratory systems. These particles also can create fire and explosive hazards. Since they are airborne, gravity eventually takes over and dust will cover every surface. The key solution is to collect dust as close to the source of generation as possible and dispose of it before it can become a hazard to people and the facility.
Dust collectors use several forms of technology to remove airborne dust:
- Shaker dust collectors use suction (air) to pull large particles into a filtration system. A mechanical “shake” dislodges the debris to a hopper below when the system is offline. Shaker systems are used, for example, with processes for wood or metal chips.
- Pulse-jet collectors use suction (air) to pull smaller particles, like sawdust, into a filtration system. A high-intensity jet of air dislodges the particles while the system is online.
- Cyclonic dust collectors introduce the suction (air) of particles to an intense circular airflow which pushes particles to the cyclone wall. The collected dust drops to a hopper below.
- Electrostatic precipitators use suction (air) to suction small particles and introduce the particles to an ionic charge. Electrons cling to the dust and give them a negative charge. They are easily collected on a positively charged electrode.
- Technology also uses water misters to increase the weight of dust particles, causing them to drop with the added gravitational pull.
Fire Suppression for Dust Collectors
If you own or manage a manufacturing facility, you are probably familiar with one or more of these collection systems employed at your plant(s).
Dust collection systems, however, bring fire safety problems of their own. Remember, a fire needs three elements to start: a fuel source, plenty of oxygen, and an ignition source (friction, flame, extreme heat, etc.). Each of the above-named collection systems uses two, and sometimes all three elements. In addition, a flame that encounters a high concentration of airborne fuel can cause a flash fire or explosion.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Fire Protection Association have developed fire safety guidelines specifically to address the hazard surrounding manufacturing dust collection systems.1 These guidelines endeavor to prevent as many fire/explosion events that might be caused by airborne particles with standards and best practice procedures. The goal is the prevention of death, injury, and loss from predictable hazards. Fire suppression equipment is often required in proximity to the dust collection system to quickly prevent the spread of flame during a fire event.
Handheld fire extinguishers are limited by power and content; they also require a human to be present to operate. Fire suppression systems will eliminate one or more of the elements required for a fire to start or continue—fuel, oxygen, or combustion source. Below are the most frequently recommended Fire Suppression for Dust Collectors, with some pros and cons for each:
Low-pressure clean agent systems: Clean agents are usually inert gases that are non-corrosive, non-toxic, and non-conductive. Some push oxygen away and some absorb the heat at a flame source. These Fire Suppression for Dust Collectors are environmentally friendly and safe to use around human occupants.
Low-pressure dry chemical systems. Dust that results from the manufacturing of flammable liquids or gasses requires a different solution. These Fire Suppression for Dust Collectors systems separate the fuel and oxygen with a specific chemical. They are also valuable when a dust collection system cannot be shut down.
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1 https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA_3644.pdf