Is it worth the risk?

The need for testable, resettable explosion

venting panels.

www.c-sgroup.co.uk

Imperial Sugar Factory Explosion - 2008

Fourteen people were killed and 42 injured
when a dust explosion occurred at a sugar
refinery owned by Imperial Sugar.
Learn More

Combustible dust, gas and chemical explosions

remain one of the deadliest realities plaguing
processing and storage plants in the industrial
and manufacturing sectors. Dust related fires and
explosions cause injury and death of workers,
and complete destruction to buildings, can you
afford not to use Explosion Venting?
If youre involved with a facility where potentially
explosive atmospheres, materials or processes exist, you
know that its critical for your pressure venting system to
function according to its design parameters as a means
of limiting damage.
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Why use explosion venting?

The issue of venting violent overpressures is a critical one for owners of
facilities where potentially explosive atmospheres, materials, and processes
exist. Recent statistics indicate that the average damage due to explosions
in industrial establishments is approximately 2.05 million, compared to
126,000 for fire. The possibility of an explosion occuring must be seen as a
real concern considering only three common elements must be in place for an
event to occur:
1. Ignition source
2. Fuel
3. Confinement

Types of industries where explosion venting is used and required

Pharmaceutical Production
Chemical Production
Petroleum Industry
Paint, Varnish Manufacturers
Energy/ Mining Industry
Co-Generation Plants
Recycling Centers
Sewage Treatment (by-product recycling)
Automotive (air bag, mfg. Plant lines)
Grinding/Pulverizing processes (airborne dusts)
Ink Manufacturers

Paper Process (solvent use/storage)

Laboratory Test Facilities
Hospitals (gas and/or flammable storage areas)
Brewery Facilities (grain storage/processing)
Fossil Fuel Plants (coal dusts)
Food Processing (airborne dust)
University Labs (chemical lab store rooms)
Grain Milling Facilities (airborne dusts)
Nuclear Power Stations
Printing Companies (solvent use/storage)

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How should Explosion Venting work?

An explosion vent is designed to be the weakest part of the external structure. As the explosion
vent experiences the pressure rise, it opens quickly allowing the rapidly expanding heated gases
to be released to the outside. By doing so, the internal walls, floor, and ceiling are spared from the
damaging overpressure experienced during a deflagration.
To successfully limit damage to the vented area, vent design and the pressure resistant structure
must be in keeping with guideline authority recommendations. As such, C/S Explovent explosion
relief systems have been designed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) 68 Venting of Deflagrations guideline and Factory Mutual 1-44 Damage Limiting Construction document. Explovent has been tested, approved, and labeled by Factory Mutual and tested
and approved by the Canadian Center for Mineral and Energy Technology for explosion relief
applications.

NFPA 68 Venting of Deflagrations

The National Fire Protection Association is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on
explosive events. Its guideline document NFPA 68 Venting of Deflagrations, provides specific
recommendations for the design and operation of explosion vents.
Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is less than the speed of sound in the
unreacted medium constitutes as a deflagration.
NFPA - 2-1.4 Deflagration venting is one means of controlling damage caused by deflagration
explosions. By releasing expanding gases through an opening it is possible to reduce the
pressure below the level that would cause damage.
NFPA - 3-1.1 A deflagration vent is an opening in an enclosure through which burned and
unburned material expands and flows. In many cases it is impractical and economically
prohibitive to construct an enclosure that will withstand or contain such pressures.

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Where is Explosion Venting required?

Any facility where potentially explosive atmospheres exist requires
explosion venting. Facilities handling hazardous materials are
required by numerous building codes to provide adequate
safeguards against explosions. The following code and guideline
authorities specify the requirements for explosion venting and set
standards of protection that must be met.
National Fire Protection Association Guide NFPA 68 (1998)
Explosion Venting
BOCA National Building Code (1999) Section 417.5.1
SBCCI Standard Building Code (1999) Section 407.2.2
SBCCI Standard Fire Code (1999) Section 611, 2203.1.16
ICBO Uniform Building Code (1997) Section 307.10
ICBO Uniform Fire Code (1997) Section 8004.2.2.4
International Building Code (2000) Section 415.5.1
International Fire Code (2000) Section 911
National Fire Code (Canada) section 3.2.8.2, 4.2.9.6, 4.3.13.3,
4.8.3.1, 4.8.4.2, 5.3.1.6 and 5.6.1.5
National Building Code (Canada) Section 6.2.2.5
Explosions can happen in any building that contains hazardous
materials. Any material capable of reacting with an oxidising medium
can be classified as fuel. Fuels with concentrations between their
lower and upper flammable limits are considered combustible.

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What is considered to be a fuel?

According to NFPA 68 2-3.1 fuel is considered to be:
Any material capable of reacting rapidly and exothermically with an oxidizing medium
can be classified as a fuel. A fuel can exist in a gas, liquid, or solid state. Liquid fuels that
are dispersed in air as fine mists, solid fuels that are dispersed in air as dusts, and hybrid
mixtures pose similar deflagration risks as gaseous fuels.
Consequences of Explosions
NFPA 68 - 3-2.1
Damage can result should a deflagration occur in any enclosure that is too weak to
withstand the pressure from a deflagration. The area of the vent must be large enough to
limit the deflagration pressure to some predetermined safe level. In addition to the
deflagration pressure, there is a thermal hazard associated with the flame. This thermal
hazard exists both within the enclosure and in the path of the vented flame.
NFPA 68 - 3-2.4
The effect of a deflagration depends on the maximum pressure attained, the maximum
rate of pressure rise, and the duration of the peak pressure. The total impulse imparted
to the enclosure is reduced as the vent area increases. However, total impulse is not a
useful design basis. The stress developed on the enclosure is calculated on the basis of
the equivalent static load.
NFPA 68 - 3-2.6
When a gas or dust deflagration is vented, a tongue of flame of brief duration issues from
the vent. Unburned dust will be ignited as it flows out the vent and can produce a large
fireball that can extend not only outward and upward, but also downward from the vent.
This has been shown in numerous tests conducted with full-scale equipment.

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What is the difference between FM and NFPA

The Factory Mutual Research Corporation is an organization financially supported by
three Industrial Risk Insurance Companies. FMs research, engineering, education,
testing, and approval are aimed at the risk reduction and property protection of its
policyholders through the setting and implementation of construction and operation
practices.
The National Fire Protection Association is an independent organization whose interest is the development of codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides for
the education and furthering of fire safety practices in North America and around the
world. Members include individuals, corporations, trade, or professional associations,
institutes, fire departments, fire brigades, and any other private or public agencies
desiring to advance the purposes of the association.
Why is FM testing needed?
Insurance companies offer premiums to companies who provide tested and approved
products on their buildings. FM offers the only test facility in the world with the ability
to duplicate warehouse-sized protection schemes and loss scenarios.
Why is FM approval important?
Third party independent approval is your assurance that the product or system in
question has been tested and approved to be compliant with specified standards for
both its manufacture and performance. This is further enforced through random manufacturing audits.

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What is Explovent?

C/S Explovent is the only field testable and resettable explosion and pressure
relief venting system on the market.

Explovent has been designed to protect a structure of a building during

deflagration.

Explovent wall panels are engineered and fully calibrated at the factory to
release at very low design pressures.

Deflagration is an explosion that propogates at a velocity less than the speed

of sound. The risk surrounding high explosive compounds is generally one
of detonation, i.e. an explosion that propogates at a velocity greater than the
speed of sound. High explosives therefore fall outside the parameters to which
Explovent has been designed.

The panels are lightweight in order to react quickly to pressure build up. They
are also testable at any time and resettable after an event.

EXPLOVENT FEATURES

CODE COMPLIANCE

Lightweight, low inertia panel design, allows quick venting and the
protection of the facility

System can be field tested for release through non-destructive

means

Compliant with ATEX 95 (directive 95/9/EC of the European

Parliament and the Council Concerning Equipment and Protective
Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres) and
its replacement ATEX 2014/34/EU directive

Explovent, with its unique hinged design and resettable latch,

can handle frequent cycling. Minor wind driven activation will not
compromise the system

Explovent meets the guidelines of N.F.P.A. 68 Standard on Explosion

Protection by Deflagration Venting

Explovent meets the guidelines of FM 1-44 and includes FM tested

and approved models, which are listed on the online FM APPROVAL
GUIDE www.approvalguide.com

Smooth bevelled surfaces on the panel reduce dust accumulation

and allow for ease of cleaning, a key to eliminating secondary dust
explosions

Our rotating hold open device protects the structure from implosion
forces as super heated gases begin to cool

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Explovent vs. other Solutions

EXPLOVENT

ALTERNATIVE BLOWOUT SIDING

Explovent is the only venting system that can be

tested at any time to periodically verify working
condition.

Blowout siding cannot be field tested to verify

working conditions outside of an explosion.

Explovent is re-settable after testing and does not

need to be replaced after usage.

Blowout siding can only be used once, and must be

replaced after opened.

Explovent arrives on-site fully calibrated - ready to

install.

Blowout siding employs shear bolts and fasteners

and thus is highly dependent on proper installation by
site labourers.

Explovent can be installed quickly and easily to save

on labour costs

Blowout siding requires timely on site-engineering

before installations

Explovent is lightweight and engineered in accordance with NFPA 68 code and OSHA guidelines

Blowout siding systems are typically larger and

heavier than NFPA standards recommend.

Explovent can be tested at any time to ensure that

panels are functioning as intended

Without the ability for testing, blowout siding can be

extremely unreliable.

Explovent provides venting solutions for either wall or

rooftop installation; as well as a range of natural day
lighting options

Siding can only be provided on walls, with many

systems being unable to provide functional, aesthetic
solutions.

Explovent has Factory Mutual (FM) and ATEX approved models

Blowout siding systems cannot be non-destructively

tested and are often not labeled. How can you tell
that they work?

C/S has over 35 years of experience in specialty

venting and is recognized as the leader in providing
complete, code-compliant solutions

Independent contractors lack the technical expertise

and experience seen with C/Ss team of professionals

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How Does Explovent Work?

Normal Condition
Explovents patented
release mechanism is
factory calibrated for
release at very low
pressures, yet keeps
panels closed until an
event occurs.

During an Explosion
ATEX compliant Explovent
panels are lightweight to
release quickly during an
explosion.

After an Explosion
Once the pressure of an
explosion has been
relieved the panels return
to a near closed position
allowing air to return into
the room to address
implosion concerns

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Explovent Wall Panels Overview

Explovent Wall Panels are suitable for applications in facilities where potentially explosive atmospheres exist and require explosion venting.
The panels are designed to be the weakest part of the external structure. As the explosion vent experiences pressure rise, it opens quickly allowing the
rapidly expanding heated gasses to be released to the outside, and thereby diffuses a potential explosion.
PRODUCT OPTIONS
ERP-IC INSULATED ALUMINIUM PANEL

ERP-PC - TRANSLUCENT POLYCARBONATE PANEL

Insulated and well sealed panel to provide a draft free environment.

The panel comprises 50mm polystyrene core with 0.81mm
aluminium sheet facing both sides, set within an aluminium frame.

Translucent panels include high strength polycarbonate inserts and reduce the need
for artificial lighting. The 16mm thick, translucent polycarbonate insert is set within an
aluminium frame.

ATEX compliant and CE marked

ATEX compliant and CE marked

FM tested and approved

Designed in accordance with NFPA 68 guidelines and all fire codes

Designed in accordance with NFPA 68 guidelines and all fire codes

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Companies that put their trust in Explovent

Construction Specialties has helped many companies worldwide find cost effective solutions to
potential explosion and pressure relief hazards.

BD Diagnostics
Basell Polyolefins
PPG Industries
Astra Pharmaceuticals
Guiness
Rhone Poulenc
3M Healthcare
Ford Motor Company
Merck Sharp and Dohme
Lexmark
Schering Plough
Limerick Hospital
Pfizer
Coca Cola
National Physical Laboratory
Bayer Crop Science UK
Kimberly Clark
Proctor & Gamble
Motorola
General Motors
Kelloggs

Micron
Endo Pharmaceuticals
3M Companies
Walter Reed Hospital
Brookhaven Labs
TRW
Amoco
Nestle
Nissan
Dow Chemical
Ashland Chemical
Wrigley
Siemens
DuPont
Dole Foods
EPA Laboratories
Glidden Paint
Goodyear
Gillette
Hershey Chocolate

Please note, use of customer name does not constitute an endorsement of our product by the customer.

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How do I size my vents?

Vent Area Calculation
Under NFPA 68 guidelines the minimum required vent area for low-strength enclosures is
determined by the following equation:

Av = C(As)
Pred
Where:
Av
C
As
Pred

= vent area (m)

= venting parameter
= internal surface area of enclosure (m)
= maximum pressure developed in a vented enclosure during a vented deflagration (bar)

NOTE: Vent area can also be calculated using FM 1.44 guidelines. Please contact us for details.
Ensuring ATEX 95 Compliance
In order to comply with ATEX 95 each panel must weigh less than 10kg/m and satisfy the
following equation:

A V0.753 <0.07
Where:
A
= geometric vent area of vent (m)
V
= Volume of enclosure to be protected by explosion venting (m)

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How do I accommodate the proper wall

and vent area?
If you calculate the vent area and it turns out that you
dont have enough wall space to accommodate the
required venting, try the following solutions:
1. Consider re-orientating your room so that the long
wall is an exterior wall.
2. Relocate the room to an outside corner so that two
exterior walls are available.
3. Locate the room as an extension off an exterior wall to
allow for three exterior walls.
4. Consider venting through the roof as well as the
wall(s).
5. As room surface area plays a key role in the vent area
calculation, consider reducing room size or height.
6. Similarly, within the vent area formula, if the strength
of the pressure resistant structure is increased the
required vent area is reduced.

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At what value should my vents be set to release?

The vents should be set as low as practical, yet remain in place during wind storm
conditions. In general 20 lb/ft2 is accepted as that practical value. The NFPA suggests a maximum of 30 lb/ft2 in areas subject to severe wind conditions whereas
FM recommends a maximum of 40 lb/ft2
How easy are explovent explosion vents to open?
The latch of a 4 x 8 panel specified to release at 20 lb/ft2 would be calibrated to
release when experiencing a 320 lb force. In order to open the panel from the outside, a point load pull of 320 lb right at the latch position would be required. This
is fairly significant and difficult when you consider the smooth exterior finish of the
system. Also, if you specify a bottom hinged panel in these security areas, you raise
the latch point to a minimum of 8 above grade or roof level making the application
of this point load even more difficult.
Consideration may also be given to specifying factory applied burglar bars or other
electronic measures for detection.
Why have Bottom vs. top hinged Explovent panels?
Top hinged panels are the most commonly specified system. If they open, they will
come to a near closed position once the internal and external pressure has equalized. In this near closed position, the canopy effect offers the facility protection
from wind, rain, and snow. Whereas a bottom hinged panel will remain open at approximately 60 degrees from vertical, thus allowing easy entry of the elements.
Bottom hinged vents would most commonly be specified when panels are located
at ground or at roof level where snow drifting might be a concern. It is much easier
for a bottom-hinged panel to open downward on top of the drift than have a top
hinged unit power through the snow.

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Is it worth the risk?

For more information on our Explovent
Range please visit:
http://c-sgroup.co.uk/products/exploventexplosion-venting/
www.c-sgroup.co.uk