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Explosions: Presented By: R.Sathishbabu - Idipnebosh
Explosions: Presented By: R.Sathishbabu - Idipnebosh
Explosions
Presented by:
R.Sathishbabu.IDipNEBOSH
sathishrbabu@asia.com
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Dust Explosions
Topics for Trainings
1.What is dust?
2.Why does dust explode?
3.What are the effects of dust explosions?
4.Where can dust explosion atmosphere be formed ?
5.Area classifications
6.How to prevent or mitigate the effect of a dust explosion?
7.Types of Equipment's to be used in Dust Explosion areas ?
8.Incidents
9.Further knowledge ( Reference Guides )
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Dust Explosions
1) What is dust?
Dust is tiny, dry particles in the air and can be produced when materials are cut, drilled,
demolished, sanded, shoveled, etc. This means many work activities can create dust .
Examples includes :
a) Silica dust generated during the time of its extractions.
b) Wood dust also known as sawdust , generated during woods processing
c) Coal dust – experienced by coal miners or process operators during the time of processing.
d) Asbestos , flour and Grains are also considered as dust.
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Dust Explosions
2. Why does dust explode?
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Dust Explosions
3. What are the effects of dust explosions?
Dust explosions can result in
Deaths or serious injury
Damages to plant and machinery’s
a large fireball
Secondary explosions
Fire etc.….
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Dust Explosions
4. Where can be Dust Explosive atmosphere be formed?
Many workplaces may contain, or have activities that produce, explosive or potentially explosive
atmospheres. Examples include places where work activities create or release flammable gases or vapors,
such as vehicle paint spraying, or in workplaces handling fine organic dusts such as grain flour or wood .
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ) warns that more than 1 / 32 of an inch of dust over five
percent of a room's surface area presents a significant explosion hazard.
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Dust Explosions
1995 – 2006 CsB Data
Wood Grains Synthetics Coal Metals Paper Others
2% 6%
Total No of Explosions: 106
9%
39%
9%
13%
22%
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Dust Explosions
5 Area Classifications .
• A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is
Zone 20 present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.
• A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is
Zone 21 likely to occur in normal operation occasionally
• A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is
Zone 22 not likely to occur in normal operation, but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only
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Dust Explosions
Although a cloud of flammable dust in air may explode violently, not all mixtures will do so. The
concentration of dust and air must be within the upper and lower explosive limits for the dust involved
Methane 17 5
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Dust Explosions
6. How to prevent or mitigate the effect of a dust explosion?
A simple way of assessing the risk of fire or explosion is to start with Risk assessment ( RA) , which must to consider :
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Dust Explosions
7) Types of Equipment's to be used in Dust Explosion areas ?
Electrical and non electrical equipment
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Dust Explosions
8) Incidents
a) Imperial sugar factory Explosion , US due to sugar grain dust – 13 Died - 2007
b) CTA Acoustics Unit – US – due to combustible resin dust – 7 Workers died – 2003.
c) Hayes Lemmerz International – US , due to aluminum dust - 1 Died – 2003
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Dust Explosions
9) For Further Knowledge – Reference Materials
9) https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg103.pdf
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) – Regulations
www.csb.gov
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Dust Explosions
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