Standard NFPA 654 - 2006

NFPA654
Standardforthe
PreventionofFireandDustExplosionsfromthe
Manufacturing,Processing,andHandlingofCombustible
ParticulateSolids
2006Edition
Copyright2005,NationalFireProtectionAssociation,AllRightsReserved
ThiseditionofNFPA654,StandardforthePreventionofFireandDustExplosionsfrom
theManufacturing,Processing,andHandlingofCombustibleParticulateSolids,was
preparedbytheTechnicalCommitteeonHandlingandConveyingofDusts,Vapors,and
GasesandactedonbyNFPAatitsJuneAssociationTechnicalMeetingheldJune610,
2005,inLasVegas,NV.ItwasissuedbytheStandardsCouncilonJuly29,2005,withan
effectivedateofAugust18,2005,andsupersedesallpreviouseditions.
ThiseditionofNFPA654wasapprovedasanAmericanNationalStandardonAugust18,
2005.
OriginandDevelopmentofNFPA654
NFPA654wasinitiatedbytheCommitteeonDustExplosionHazardsin1943andoriginally
appliedonlytothepreventionofdustexplosionsintheplasticsindustry.Assuch,itwas
tentativelyadoptedin1944andofficiallyadoptedin1945.Amendmentswereadoptedin
1946,1959,1963,and1970.The1970editionwasreconfirmedin1975.
In1976,responsibilityforNFPA654wastransferredtotheTechnicalCommitteeon
FundamentalsofDustExplosionPreventionandControl.Thecommitteeprepareda
completerevisionforthe1982edition,thescopeofwhichwasexpandedtoinclude
chemical,dye,andpharmaceuticaldusts,sincethefireandexplosionhazardsofthosedusts
aregenerallythesameasforplasticdusts.
In1988,thecommitteevotedtoreconfirmthetextasitappearedinthe1982version,with
minoreditorialcorrectionsandchangesinaccordancewiththeNFPA ManualofStyle.
In1994,thestandardwasrevisedtoimproveitsusability,adoptability,andenforceabilityto
updateoutdatedterminologyandtoaddtheNFPAlanguageforequivalencyand
retroactivity.Inaddition,theTechnicalCommitteeonFundamentalsofDustExplosion
CopyrightNFPA
PreventionandControladdednewtechnologiesforexplosionpreventiontoNFPA69,
StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems.Thecommitteealsoclarifiedtherequirements
relatingtocontrollinghazardousaccumulationsofprocessdust.
The1997editionwasacompleterevisionthatincorporatednewprocessingandexplosion
protectiontechnologies.Thetitleofthedocumentwasrevisedtoreflectthatthestandard
encompassedallindustriesnototherwiseincludedinpreviouseditionsofthestandard,
includingthefibersindustry.Thecompleterevisionincorporatednewrequirementsfor
designbasisofsystemsanddesigndetailsformanagementofchange.
Acompleterevisionforthe2000editionincorporatedportionsofNFPA650,Standardfor
PneumaticConveyingSystemsforHandlingCombustibleParticulateSolids,whichwas
withdrawnin2000.NFPA654retaineditstitleandprovidedaunifiedapproachfor
protectingfacilitiesthathandledmostcombustibleparticulatesolids.Thecombinationof
documentseliminatedtheredundancythatpreviouslyhadexistedbetweenthetwo,similar
standards.The2000editionofNFPA654includedspecificrequirementsrelatedtofire
protectioninadditiontotheexistingexplosionprotectionrequirements.
The2006editionisanothercompleterevision,whichintroducesaperformancebased
approachforprotectingcombustibleparticulatesolidsprocessingfacilities.Thisnew
approachenablesusersofthestandardtofollowthetraditionalprescriptivemethodor,for
uniquesituations,givesthemtheoptionofaperformancebaseddesign.Otherchanges
includeupdatingthestandardtothecurrentManualofStyleforNFPATechnicalCommittee
Documentsformat.
TechnicalCommitteeonHandlingandConveyingofDusts,Vapors,andGases
WalterL.Frank,Chair
ABSConsultingGroup,DE[SE]
JoeR.Barton,Fountaintown,IN[U]
PaulA.Cera,ScheringPloughCorporation,NJ[U]
JohnM.Cholin,J.M.CholinConsultantsInc.,NJ[SE]
DavidG.Clark,E.I.duPontdeNemours&Company,DE[U]
C.JamesDahn,SafetyConsultingEngineers,Inc.,IL[SE]
VahidEbadat,ChilworthTechnologyInc.,NJ[SE]
HenryL.Febo,Jr.,FMGlobal,MA[I]
Rep.FMGlobal
HenryW.Garzia,KiddeFenwal,Inc.,MA[M]
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JosephP.Gillis,Westboro,MA[SE]
DanA.Guaricci,ATEXExplosionProtectionL.P.,FL[M]
RayHunter,RayHunter&AssociatesInc.,AL[M]
Rep.AmericanAirFilter
JerryJ.Jennett,GeorgiaGulfSulfurCorporation,GA[M]
DavidC.Kirby,BakerEngineering&RiskConsultants,WV[SE]
JamesE.Maness,JEMSafetyConsulting,MO[U]
Rep.GrainElevatorandProcessingSociety
GuillermoA.Navas,SheetMetal&AirConditioningContractorsNationalAssociation,
VA[M]
Rep.SheetMetal&AirConditioningContractorsNationalAssociation
RobertW.Nelson,Pocasset,MA[I]
Rep.GEGlobalAssetProtectionServices
AlbertI.Ness,RohmandHaas,PA[M]
JamesL.Roberts,FluorEnterprises,Inc.,SC[SE]
RichardF.Schwab,Honeywell,Inc.,NJ[U]
BillStevenson,CvTechnology,Inc.,FL[M]
JeffreyJ.Wanko,DSMNutritionalProducts,Inc.,NJ[U]
HaroldH.Weber,Jr.,TheSulphurInstitute,DC[U]
(VoteLimitedto655)
W.H.White,WhiteConsultingServices,OH[SE]
Rep.TConFinishingProcesses
Alternates
TedBrown,InternationalSulphur,Inc.,TX[M]
(Alt.toJ.J.Jennett)
PaulF.Hart,GEGlobalAssetProtectionServices,IL[I]
(Alt.toR.W.Nelson)
GregoryI.Hurst,NationalStarch&ChemicalCompany,IN[U]
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(Alt.toJ.R.Barton)
BernadetteN.Reyes,SafetyConsultingEngineers,Inc.,IL[SE]
(Alt.toC.J.Dahn)
SamuelA.Rodgers,Honeywell,Inc.,VA[U]
(Alt.toR.F.Schwab)
Nonvoting
HarryVerakis,U.S.DepartmentofLabor,WV[E]
GuyR.Colonna, NFPAStaffLiaison
ThislistrepresentsthemembershipatthetimetheCommitteewasballotedonthefinaltext
ofthisedition.Sincethattime,changesinthemembershipmayhaveoccurred.Akeyto
classificationsisfoundatthebackofthedocument.
NOTE:Membershiponacommitteeshallnotinandofitselfconstituteanendorsementof
theAssociationoranydocumentdevelopedbythecommitteeonwhichthememberserves.
CommitteeScope:ThisCommitteeshallhaveprimaryresponsibilityfordocumentsonthe
prevention,control,andextinguishmentoffiresandexplosionsinthedesign,construction,
installation,operation,andmaintenanceoffacilitiesandsystemsprocessingorconveying
flammableorcombustibledusts,gases,vapors,andmists.
NFPA654
Standardforthe
PreventionofFireandDustExplosionsfromtheManufacturing,Processing,and
HandlingofCombustibleParticulateSolids
2006Edition
IMPORTANTNOTE:ThisNFPAdocumentismadeavailableforusesubjectto
importantnoticesandlegaldisclaimers.Thesenoticesanddisclaimersappearinall
publicationscontainingthisdocumentandmaybefoundundertheheadingImportant
NoticesandDisclaimersConcerningNFPADocuments.Theycanalsobeobtainedon
requestfromNFPAorviewedatwww.nfpa.org/disclaimers.
NOTICE:Anasterisk(*)followingthenumberorletterdesignatingaparagraphindicates
thatexplanatorymaterialontheparagraphcanbefoundinAnnexA.
Areferenceinbrackets[]followingasectionorparagraphindicatesmaterialthathasbeen
extractedfromanotherNFPAdocument.Asanaidtotheuser,thecompletetitleandedition
ofthesourcedocumentsforextractsinmandatorysectionsofthedocumentaregivenin
Chapter2andthoseforextractsininformationalsectionsaregiveninAnnexG.Editorial
changestoextractedmaterialconsistofrevisingreferencestoanappropriatedivisioninthis
documentortheinclusionofthedocumentnumberwiththedivisionnumberwhenthe
referenceistotheoriginaldocument.Requestsforinterpretationsorrevisionsofextracted
textshallbesenttothetechnicalcommitteeresponsibleforthesourcedocument.
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InformationonreferencedpublicationscanbefoundinChapter2andAnnexG.
Chapter1Administration
1.1*Scope.
1.1.1 Thisstandardshallapplytoallphasesofthemanufacturing,processing,blending,
pneumaticconveying,repackaging,andhandlingofcombustibleparticulatesolidsorhybrid
mixtures,regardlessofconcentrationorparticlesize,wherethematerialspresentafireor
explosionhazard.
1.1.2 Theowner/operatorshallberesponsibleforimplementingtherequirementsinthis
standard.
1.2Purpose.
Thepurposeofthisstandardistoprescribetechnicalrequirementsforsafetytolifeand
propertyfromfireandexplosionandtominimizetheresultingdamagefromafireor
explosion.
1.3Goal.
Thegoalofthisstandardistoprovidesafetymeasurestopreventandmitigatefiresanddust
explosionsinfacilitiesthathandlecombustibleparticulatesolids.
1.4Application.
1.4.1 Thisstandardshallnotapplytomaterialscoveredbythefollowingdocuments,unless
specificallyreferencedbytheapplicabledocument:
(1) NFPA30B,CodefortheManufactureandStorageofAerosolProducts
(2) NFPA61,StandardforthePreventionofFiresandDustExplosionsinAgricultural
andFoodProcessingFacilities
(3) NFPA85,BoilerandCombustionSystemsHazardsCode
(4) NFPA120,StandardforFirePreventionandControlinCoalMines
(5) NFPA432,CodefortheStorageofOrganicPeroxideFormulations
(6) NFPA484,StandardforCombustibleMetals
(7) NFPA495,ExplosiveMaterialsCode
(8) NFPA655,StandardforPreventionofSulfurFiresandExplosions
(9) NFPA664,StandardforthePreventionofFiresandExplosionsinWood
ProcessingandWoodworkingFacilities
(10) NFPA1124,CodefortheManufacture,Transportation,Storage,andRetailSales
ofFireworksandPyrotechnicArticles
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(11) NFPA1125,CodefortheManufactureofModelRocketandHighPowerRocket
Motors
1.4.2 Intheeventofaconflictbetweenthisstandardandaspecificoccupancystandard,the
specificoccupancystandardrequirementsshallapply.
1.5Retroactivity.
Theprovisionsofthisstandardreflectaconsensusofwhatisnecessarytoprovidean
acceptabledegreeofprotectionfromthehazardsaddressedinthisstandardatthetimethe
standardwasissued.
1.5.1 Unlessotherwisespecified,theprovisionsofthisstandardshallnotapplytofacilities,
equipment,structures,orinstallationsthatexistedorwereapprovedforconstructionor
installationpriortotheeffectivedateofthestandard.Wherespecified,theprovisionsofthis
standardshallberetroactive.
1.5.2 Inthosecaseswheretheauthorityhavingjurisdictiondeterminesthattheexisting
situationpresentsanunacceptabledegreeofrisk,theauthorityhavingjurisdictionshallbe
permittedtoapplyretroactivelyanyportionsofthisstandarddeemedappropriate.
1.5.3 Theretroactiverequirementsofthisstandardshallbepermittedtobemodifiediftheir
applicationclearlywouldbeimpracticalinthejudgmentoftheauthorityhavingjurisdiction,
andonlywhereitisclearlyevidentthatareasonabledegreeof safetyisprovided.
1.5.4 Thisstandardshallapplytofacilitiesonwhichconstructionisbegunsubsequenttothe
dateofpublicationofthestandard.
1.5.5 Whenmajorreplacementorrenovationofexistingfacilitiesisplanned,provisionsof
thisstandardshallapply.
1.6Equivalency.
Nothinginthisstandardisintendedtopreventtheuseofsystems,methods,ordevicesof
equivalentorsuperiorquality,strength,fireresistance,effectiveness,durability,andsafety
overthoseprescribedbythisstandard.
1.6.1 Technicaldocumentationshallbesubmittedtotheauthorityhavingjurisdictionto
demonstrateequivalency.
1.6.2 Thesystem,method,ordeviceshallbeapprovedfortheintendedpurposebythe
authorityhavingjurisdiction.
Chapter2ReferencedPublications
2.1General.
Thedocumentsorportionsthereoflistedinthischapterarereferencedwithinthisstandard
andshallbeconsideredpartoftherequirementsofthisdocument.
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2.2NFPAPublications.
NationalFireProtectionAssociation,1BatterymarchPark,Quincy,MA021697471.
NFPA10,StandardforPortableFireExtinguishers,2002edition.
NFPA11,StandardforLow,Medium,andHighExpansionFoam,2005edition.
NFPA12,StandardonCarbonDioxideExtinguishingSystems,2005edition.
NFPA12A,StandardonHalon1301FireExtinguishingSystems,2004edition.
NFPA13,StandardfortheInstallationofSprinklerSystems,2002edition.
NFPA14,StandardfortheInstallationofStandpipeandHoseSystems,2003edition.
NFPA15,StandardforWaterSprayFixedSystemsforFireProtection,2001edition.
NFPA16,StandardfortheInstallationofFoamWaterSprinklerandFoamWaterSpray
Systems,2003edition.
NFPA17,StandardforDryChemicalExtinguishingSystems,2002edition.
NFPA25,StandardfortheInspection,Testing,andMaintenanceofWaterBasedFire
ProtectionSystems,2002edition.
NFPA30B,CodefortheManufactureandStorageofAerosolProducts,2002edition.
NFPA51B,StandardforFirePreventionDuringWelding,Cutting,andOtherHotWork,
2003edition.
NFPA61,StandardforthePreventionofFiresandDustExplosionsinAgriculturaland
FoodProcessingFacilities,2002edition.
NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems,2002edition.
NFPA70,NationalElectricalCode,2005edition.
NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode,2002edition.
NFPA80,StandardforFireDoorsandFireWindows,1999edition.
NFPA85,BoilerandCombustionSystemsHazardsCode,2004edition.
NFPA86,StandardforOvensandFurnaces,2003edition.
NFPA91,StandardforExhaustSystemsforAirConveyingofVapors,Gases,Mists,and
NoncombustibleParticulateSolids,2004edition.
NFPA 101,LifeSafetyCode,2006edition.
NFPA120,StandardforFirePreventionandControlinCoalMines,2004edition.
NFPA220,StandardonTypesofBuildingConstruction,2006edition.
NFPA221,StandardforHighChallengeFireWalls,FireWalls,andFireBarrierWalls,
2006edition.
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NFPA432,CodefortheStorageofOrganicPeroxideFormulations,2002edition.
NFPA484,StandardforCombustibleMetals,2006edition.
NFPA495,ExplosiveMaterialsCode,2006edition.
NFPA496,StandardforPurgedandPressurizedEnclosuresforElectricalEquipment,
2003edition.
NFPA505,FireSafetyStandardforPoweredIndustrialTrucksIncludingType
Designations,AreasofUse,Conversions,Maintenance,andOperations,2006edition.
NFPA655,StandardforPreventionofSulfurFiresandExplosions,2001edition.
NFPA664,StandardforthePreventionofFiresandExplosionsinWoodProcessingand
WoodworkingFacilities,2002edition.
NFPA750,StandardonWaterMistFireProtectionSystems,2003edition.
NFPA780,StandardfortheInstallationofLightningProtectionSystems,2004edition.
NFPA1124,CodefortheManufacture,Transportation,Storage,andRetailSalesof
FireworksandPyrotechnicArticles,2006edition.
NFPA1125,CodefortheManufactureofModelRocketandHighPowerRocketMotors,
2001edition.
NFPA2001,StandardonCleanAgentFireExtinguishingSystems,2004edition.
2.3OtherPublications.
2.3.1ASMEPublications.
AmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers,ThreeParkAvenue,NewYork,NY
100165990.
ASMEB31.3,ProcessPiping,2002.
ASMEBoilerandPressureVesselCode,2001.
2.3.2ISAPublication.
Instrumentation,Systems,andAutomationSociety,P.O.Box12277,ResearchTriangle
Park,NC27709.
ISA84.00.01,FunctionalSafety:ApplicationofSafetyInstrumentedSystemsforthe
ProcessIndustrySector,2004.
2.3.3OtherPublication.
MerriamWebster'sCollegiateDictionary,11thedition,MerriamWebster,Inc.,Springfield,
MA,2003.
2.4ReferencesforExtractsinMandatorySections.
NFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations,2002edition.
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NoncombustibleParticulateSolids,2004edition.
NFPA221,StandardforHighChallengeFireWalls,FireWalls,andFireBarrierWalls,
2006edition.
NFPA484,StandardforCombustibleMetals,2006edition.
Chapter3Definitions
3.1General.
Thedefinitionscontainedinthischaptershallapplytothetermsusedinthisstandard.Where
termsarenotdefinedinthischapterorwithinanotherchapter,theyshallbedefinedusing
theirordinarilyacceptedmeaningswithinthecontextinwhichthey areused.
MerriamWebster'sCollegiateDictionary,11thedition,shallbethesourcefortheordinarily
acceptedmeaning.
3.2NFPAOfficialDefinitions.
3.2.1*Approved.Acceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdiction.
3.2.2*AuthorityHavingJurisdiction(AHJ).Anorganization,office,orindividual
responsibleforenforcingtherequirementsofacodeorstandard,orforapproving
equipment,materials,aninstallation,oraprocedure.
3.2.3Labeled.Equipmentormaterialstowhichhasbeenattachedalabel,symbol,orother
identifyingmarkofanorganizationthatisacceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdictionand
concernedwithproductevaluation,thatmaintainsperiodicinspection ofproductionof
labeledequipmentormaterials,andbywhoselabelingthemanufacturerindicatescompliance
withappropriatestandardsorperformanceinaspecifiedmanner.
3.2.4*Listed.Equipment,materials,orservicesincludedinalistpublishedbyan
organizationthatisacceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdictionandconcernedwith
evaluationofproductsorservices,thatmaintainsperiodicinspectionofproduction oflisted
equipmentormaterialsorperiodicevaluationofservices,andwhoselistingstatesthateither
theequipment,material,orservicemeetsappropriatedesignatedstandardsorhasbeentested
andfoundsuitableforaspecifiedpurpose.
3.2.5Shall.Indicatesamandatoryrequirement.
3.2.6Should.Indicatesarecommendationorthatwhichisadvisedbutnotrequired.
3.2.7Standard.Adocument,themaintextofwhichcontainsonlymandatoryprovisions
usingthewordshalltoindicaterequirementsandwhichisinaformgenerallysuitablefor
mandatoryreferencebyanotherstandardorcodeorforadoptionintolaw.Nonmandatory
provisionsshallbelocatedinanappendixorannex,footnote,orfineprintnoteandarenot
tobeconsideredapartoftherequirementsofastandard.
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3.3GeneralDefinitions.
3.3.1AbortGate/AbortDamper.Adeviceforthequickdiversionofmaterialorairtothe
exteriorofabuildingorothersafelocationintheeventofafire.
3.3.2*AirMaterialSeparator(AMS).Acollectordesignedtoseparatetheconveyingair
fromthematerialbeingconveyed.
3.3.2.1PrimaryAirMaterialSeparator.Acollectorthatseparatesthebulkoftheproduct
ormaterialfromtheconveyingairstream.
3.3.2.2SecondaryAirMaterialSeparator.Acollectorthatseparatestheresidualdustor
productremainingintheairstreamaftertheairstreamhasbeenprocessedbytheprimary
airmaterialseparator.
3.3.3*AirMovingDevice(AMD).Apowerdrivenfan,blower,orotherdevicethat
establishesanairflowbymovingagivenvolumeofairperunittime.
3.3.4*CombustibleDust.Acombustibleparticulatesolidthatpresentsafireordeflagration
hazardwhensuspendedinairorsomeotheroxidizingmediumoverarangeof
concentrations,regardlessofparticlesizeorshape.
3.3.5*CombustibleParticulateSolid.Anycombustiblesolidmaterial,composedof
distinctparticlesorpieces,regardlessofsize,shape,orchemicalcomposition.
3.3.6Compartmentation.Theinterposingofaphysicalbarrierthatisnotrequiredtobefire
orexplosionresistantinordertolimitcombustibleparticulatesolidmigrationandhenceto
controlthesizeofahazardarea.
3.3.7*Deflagration.Propagationofacombustionzoneatavelocitythatislessthanthe
speedofsoundintheunreactedmedium.[68,2002]
3.3.8Detachment.Locatingacombustibleparticulatesolidprocessintheopenairorina
separatebuilding.
3.3.9Dryer.Apieceofprocessingequipmentusingtemperatureorpressurechangeto
reducethemoistureorvolatilecontentofthematerialbeinghandled.
3.3.10Duct.Pipes,tubes,orotherenclosuresusedforthepurposeofpneumatically
conveyingmaterials.[91,2004]
3.3.11DustCollector.See3.3.2,AirMaterialSeparator(AMS).
3.3.12Explosion.Theburstingorruptureofanenclosureoracontainerduetothe
developmentofinternalpressurefromadeflagration.
3.3.13*HybridMixture.Amixtureofaflammablegaswitheitheracombustibledustora
combustiblemist.[68,2002]
3.3.14IntermediateBulkContainers.
3.3.14.1FlexibleIntermediateBulkContainer(FIBC).
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3.3.14.1.1TypeAFIBC.Astandardinsulatingflexibleintermediatebulkcontainer(FIBC).
3.3.14.1.2TypeBFIBC.Aflexibleintermediatebulkcontainer(FIBC)wherethefabricor
thecombinationofthefabricshell,coating,andanylooselinerhasabreakdownvoltageof
lessthan6000volts.
3.3.14.1.3TypeCFIBC.Aflexibleintermediatebulkcontainer(FIBC)wherethefabricis
interwovenwithanelectricallyinterconnectedconductivefiberandprovidedwithatabfor
connectiontogroundingsystems.
3.3.14.1.4TypeDFIBC.Aflexibleintermediatebulkcontainer(FIBC)constructedfrom
fabricand/orthreadswithspecialstaticpropertiesdesignedtocontrolelectrostaticdischarge
incendivity,withoutgrounding.
3.3.14.2*RigidIntermediateBulkContainer(RIBC).Anintermediatebulkcontainer
(IBC)thatcanbeenclosedinorencasedbyanouterstructureconsistingofasteelcage,a
singlewallmetalorplasticenclosure,oradoublewalloffoamedorsolidplastic.
3.3.14.2.1InsulatingRIBC.AnRIBCconstructedentirelyofsolidplasticorsolidplastic
andfoamcompositethatcannotbeelectricallygrounded.
3.3.15*LowerFlammableLimit(LFL).Thelowestconcentrationofmaterialthatwill
propagateaflamefromanignitionsourcethroughamixtureofflammablegasor
combustibledustdispersionwithagaseousoxidizer.
3.3.16*MinimumExplosibleConcentration(MEC).Theminimumconcentrationofa
combustibledustsuspendedinair,measuredinmassperunitvolume,thatwillsupporta
deflagration.
3.3.17*NoncombustibleMaterial.Amaterialthat,intheforminwhichitisusedand
undertheconditionsanticipated,willnotignite,supportcombustion,burn,orrelease
flammablevaporswhensubjectedtofireorheat.
3.3.18Owner/Operator.Theorganizationwithfiscalresponsibilityfortheoperation,
maintenance,andprofitabilityofthefacility.
3.3.19*PneumaticConveyingSystem.Amaterialfeeder,anairmaterialseparator,an
enclosedductworksystem,oranairmovingdeviceinwhichacombustibleparticulatesolid
isconveyedfromonepointtoanotherwithastreamofairorothergases.
3.3.19.1*NegativePressurePneumaticConveyingSystem.Apneumaticconveyingsystem
thattransportsmaterialbyutilizinggasatlessthanatmosphericpressure.
3.3.19.2*PositivePressurePneumaticConveyingSystem.Apneumaticconveyingsystem
thattransportsmaterialbyutilizinggasatgreaterthanatmosphericpressure.
3.3.20ReplacementinKind.Areplacementthatsatisfiesthedesignspecifications.[484,
2006]
3.3.21Segregation.Theinterposingofafireandexplosionresistantbarrierbetweenthe
combustibleparticulatesolidprocessandotheroperations.
3.3.22Separation.Theinterposingofdistancebetweenthecombustibleparticulatesolid
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processandotheroperationsthatareinthesameroom.
3.3.23Spark.Amovingparticleofsolidmaterialthatemitsradiantenergyduetoeitherits
temperatureortheprocessofcombustiononitssurface.
3.3.24VentClosure.Apressurerelievingcoverthatisplacedoveravent.[68,2002]
3.3.25VentedExplosionPressure(Pred).Themaximumpressuredevelopedinavented
enclosureduringaventeddeflagration.
3.3.26Wall.
3.3.26.1FireBarrierWall.Awall,otherthanafirewall,havingafireresistancerating.
[221,2006]
3.3.26.2FireWall.Awallseparatingbuildingsorsubdividingabuildingtopreventthe
spreadoffireandhavingafireresistanceratingandstructuralstability.[221,2006]
3.3.27*WaterCompatible.Amaterialthatisneitherreactivewithwaternorincompatible
withwaterandthat,consequently,canbeextinguishedwithawaterbasedextinguishing
system.
3.3.28*WaterIncompatible.Amaterialthatdoesnotchemicallyreactwithwater,but
whichundergoesachangeofphaseorstateuponmixturewithwaterthatrendersit
permanentlychangedorincompatiblewiththeremainderoftheprocess.
3.3.29*WaterReactive.Amaterialthatchemicallyreactswithwater,producinganother
compoundthatcanrepresentadifferentsetoffireprotectionconcerns.
Chapter4GeneralRequirements
4.1ProcessandFacilityDesign.
4.1.1 Thedesignofprocessesandfacilitiesthathandlecombustibleparticulatesolidsshall
considerthephysicalandchemicalpropertiesthatestablishthehazardouscharacteristicsof
thematerials.
4.1.2* Thedesignanditsbasisshallbedocumentedandmaintainedforthelifeofthe
process.
4.2ProcessHazardAnalysis.
4.2.1* Thedesignofthefireandexplosionsafetyprovisionsshallbebasedonaprocess
hazardanalysisofthefacility,theprocess,andtheassociatedfireorexplosionhazards.
4.2.2 Theresultsoftheprocesshazardanalysisshallbedocumentedandmaintainedforthe
lifeoftheprocess.
4.2.3 Theprocesshazardanalysisshallbereviewedandupdatedatleastevery5years.
4.3ManagementofChange.
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Writtenprocedurestomanagechangetoprocessmaterials,technology,equipment,
procedures,andfacilitiesshallbeestablishedandimplemented.
4.3.1 Therequirementsof 4.3.1.1through 4.3.1.3shallbeappliedretroactively.
4.3.1.1 Themanagementofchangeproceduresshallensurethatthefollowingissuesare
addressedpriortoanychange:
(1) Thetechnicalbasisfortheproposedchange
(2) Thesafetyandhealthimplications
(3) Whetherthechangeispermanentortemporary
(4) Modificationstooperatingandmaintenanceprocedures
(5) Employeetrainingrequirements
(6) Authorizationrequirementsfortheproposedchange
4.3.1.2 Implementationofthemanagementofchangeproceduresshallnotberequiredfor
replacementsinkind.
4.3.1.3 Designdocumentation,asrequiredby 4.1.2,shallbeupdatedtoincorporatethe
change.
4.4*PneumaticConveyingSystemDesign.
Systemsthathandlecombustibleparticulatesolidsshallbedesignedbyandinstalledunder
thesupervisionofqualifiedengineerswhoareknowledgeableaboutthesesystemsandtheir
associatedhazards.
4.5Objectives.
4.5.1LifeSafety.
4.5.1.1 Thefacility,combustibleparticulateprocesses,andhumanelementprogramsshallbe
designed,constructed,equipped,andmaintainedtoprotectoccupantsnotintheimmediate
proximityoftheignitionfromtheeffectsoffire,deflagration,andexplosionforthetime
neededtoevacuate,relocate,ortakerefuge.
4.5.1.2 Thestructureshallbelocated,designed,constructed,andmaintainedtominimize
thepropagationoffireorexplosiontoadjacentpropertiesandtoavoidinjurytothepublic.
4.5.2StructuralIntegrity.Thefacilityshallbedesigned,constructed,andequippedto
maintainitsstructuralintegrityinspiteoftheeffectsoffireorexplosionforthetime
necessarytoevacuate,relocate,ordefendinplaceoccupantsnotintheimmediateproximity
oftheignition.
4.5.3*MissionContinuity.Thefacility,processesandequipment,andhumanelement
programshallbedesigned,constructed,equipped,andmaintainedtolimitdamagetolevels
thatensuretheongoingmission,production,oroperatingcapabilityofthefacilitytoa
degreeacceptabletotheowner/operator.
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4.5.4MitigationofFireSpreadandExplosions.Thefacilityandprocessesshallbe
designedtopreventfiresandexplosionsthatcancausefailureofadjacentcompartments,
emergencylifesafetysystems,adjacentproperties,adjacentstorage,orthefacility's
structuralelements.
4.5.4.1* Thestructureshallbedesigned,constructed,andmaintainedtopreventfireor
explosionsfromcausingfailureofloadbearingstructuralmembers,propagatinginto
adjacentinteriorcompartments,andincapacitatingfireprotectiveandemergency lifesafety
systemsinadjacentcompartments.
4.5.4.2 Thestructureshallbelocated,designed,constructed,equipped,andmaintainedto
preventthepropagationoffireorexplosiontoorfromadjacentstorageorstructures.
4.6*ComplianceOptions.
ThegoalinSection 1.3andtheobjectivesinSection 4.5shallbeachievedbyeitherofthe
followingmeans:
(1) TheprescriptiveprovisionsinaccordancewithChapters6through 12ofthis
standard
(2) TheperformancebasedprovisionsinaccordancewithChapters5,8,9,11,and12of
thisstandard
Chapter5PerformanceBasedDesignOption
5.1GeneralRequirements.
5.1.1ApprovedQualifications.Theperformancebaseddesignshallbepreparedbya
personwithqualificationsacceptabletotheowner/operator.
5.1.2IndependentReview.Theauthorityhavingjurisdictionshallbepermittedtoobtainan
independentthirdpartyreviewoftheproposeddesign.
5.1.3* Performancebaseddesignsshallbedocumentedwithallcalculations,references,
assumptions,andsourcesfromwhichmaterialcharacteristicsandotherdatahavebeen
obtainedoronwhichthedesignerhasreliedforsomematerialaspectofthedesignper
Chapter5of NFPA 101,LifeSafetyCode.
5.1.3.1 Asensitivityanalysisshallbeperformedforeachassumptionthatisnotprovidedin
anauthoritativereferenceacceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdictiontoshowthat
variationofsaidassumptiondoesnotresultinafailuretomeetdesign criteria.
5.1.3.2 Thesourceofallcalculationmethodsandmodelsshallbedocumentedwiththeir
limitsofapplicability.
5.1.4* Performancebaseddesignsanddocumentationshallbeupdatedandsubjectto
reapprovalifanyoftheassumptionsonwhichtheoriginaldesignwasbasedarechanged.
5.1.5SourcesofData.
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5.1.5.1 Datasourcesshallbeidentifiedanddocumentedforeachinputdatarequirementthat
mustbemetusingasourceotherthanadesignfirescenario,anassumption,orabuilding
designspecification.
5.1.5.2 Thedegreeofconservatismreflectedinsuchdatashallbespecified,anda
justificationforthesourcesshallbeprovided.
5.2PerformanceCriteria.
AsystemandfacilitydesignshallbedeemedtomeettheobjectivesspecifiedinSection 4.5if
itsperformancemeetsthecriteriain 5.2.1through 5.2.5.
5.2.1OccupantLifeSafety.
5.2.1.1 Thelifesafetyobjectivesof 4.5.1withrespecttoafirehazardshallbeachievedif
eitherofthefollowingcriteriaismet:
(1) Ignitionhasbeenprevented.
(2) Underallfirescenarios,noperson,otherthanthoseintheimmediateproximityofthe
ignition,isexposedtountenableconditionsduetothefire,andnocriticalstructural
elementofthebuildingisdamagedtotheextentthatitcannolongersupportits
designloadduringtheperiodoftimenecessarytoeffectcompleteevacuationofthe
occupants.
5.2.1.2 Thelifesafetyobjectivesof 4.5.1withrespecttoaexplosionhazardshallbe
achievedifeitherofthefollowingcriteriaismet:
(1) Ignitionhasbeenprevented.
(2) Underallexplosionscenarios,noperson,otherthanthoseintheimmediateproximity
oftheignition,isexposedtountenableconditions,includingmissileimpactor
overpressure,duetotheoccurrenceofanexplosion,andnocriticalstructural
elementofthebuildingisdamagedtotheextentthatitcannolongersupportits
designloadduringtheperiodoftimenecessarytoeffectcompleteevacuationofthe
occupants.
5.2.2StructuralIntegrity.Thestructuralintegrityobjectiveof 4.5.2withrespecttofireand
explosionshallbeachievedwhennocriticalstructuralelementofthebuildingisdamagedto
theextentthatitcannolongersupportitsdesignloadunderallfireandexplosionscenarios.
5.2.3MissionContinuity.Themissioncontinuityobjectivesof 4.5.3shallbeachievedwhen
damagetoequipmentandthefacilityhasbeenlimitedtoalevelofdamageacceptabletothe
owner/operator.
5.2.4MitigationofFireSpreadandExplosions.Whenlimitationoffirespreadistobe
achieved,allofthefollowingcriteriashallbedemonstrated:
(1) Adjacentcombustiblesshallnotattaintheirignitiontemperature.
(2) Buildingdesignandhousekeepingshallpreventcombustiblesfromaccumulating
exteriortotheenclosedprocesssystemtoaconcentrationthatiscapableof
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supportingpropagation.
(3) Particulateprocessingsystemsshallpreventfireorexplosionfrompropagatingfrom
oneprocesssystemtoanadjacentprocesssystemortothebuildinginterior.
5.2.5EffectsofExplosions.Wherethepreventionofdamageduetoexplosionistobe
achieved,deflagrationsshallnotproduceanyofthefollowingconditions:
(1) Internalpressuresintheroomorequipmentsufficienttothreatenitsstructural
integrity
(2) Extensionoftheflamefrontoutsidethecompartmentorequipmentoforiginexcept
whereintentionallyventedtoasafelocation
(3)* Ruptureofthecompartmentorequipmentoforiginandtheejectionoffragments
thatcanconstitutemissilehazards
5.3*DesignScenarios.
5.3.1FireScenarios.
5.3.1.1 Eachfuelobjectinthecompartmentshallbeconsideredforinclusionasafire
scenario.
5.3.1.2 Thefuelobjectthatproducesthemostrapidlydevelopingfireduringstartup,normal
operatingconditions,orshutdownshallbeincludedasafirescenario.
5.3.1.3 Thefuelobjectthatproducesthemostrapidlydevelopingfireunderconditionsofa
productionupsetorsingleequipmentfailureshallbeincludedasafirescenario.
5.3.1.4 Thefuelobjectthatproducesthegreatesttotalheatreleaseduringstartup,normal
operatingconditions,orshutdownshallbeincludedasafirescenario.
5.3.1.5 Thefuelobjectthatproducesthegreatesttotalheatreleaseunderconditionsofa
productionupsetorsingleequipmentfailureshallbeincludedasafirescenario.
5.3.1.6 Thefuelobjectthatcanproduceadeepseatedfireduringstartup,normaloperating
conditions,orshutdownshallbeincludedasafirescenario.
5.3.1.7 Thefuelobjectthatcanproduceadeepseatedfireunderconditionsofaproduction
upsetorsingleequipmentfailureshallbeincludedasafirescenario.
5.3.2ExplosionScenarios.
5.3.2.1 Eachduct,enclosedconveyor,silo,bunker,cyclone,dustcollector,orothervessel
containingacombustibledustinsufficientquantityorconditionstosupportthepropagation
ofaflamefrontduringstartup,normaloperatingconditions,orshutdownshallbeincluded
asanexplosionscenario.
5.3.2.2 Eachduct,enclosedconveyor,silo,bunker,cyclone,dustcollector,orothervessel
containingacombustibledustinsufficientquantityorconditionstosupportthepropagation
ofaflamefrontunderconditionsofproductionupsetorsingleequipmentfailureshallbe
includedasanexplosionscenario.
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5.3.2.3 Eachbuildingorbuildingcompartmentcontainingacombustibledustinsufficient
quantityorconditionstosupportthepropagationofaflamefrontduringstartup,normal
operatingconditions,orshutdownshallbeincludedasanexplosionscenario.
5.3.2.4 Eachbuildingorbuildingcompartmentcontainingacombustibledustinsufficient
quantityorconditionstosupportthepropagationofaflamefrontunderconditionsof
productionupsetorsingleequipmentfailureshallbeincludedasanexplosion scenario.
5.4EvaluationofProposedDesign.
5.4.1*General.Aproposeddesign'sperformanceshallbeassessedrelativetoeach
performanceobjectiveinSection 4.5andeachapplicablescenarioinSection 5.3,withthe
assessmentconductedthroughtheuseofappropriatecalculationmethodsacceptabletothe
5.4.2 Thedesignprofessionalshallestablishnumericalperformancecriteriaforeachofthe
objectivesinSection 4.5.
5.4.3 Thedesignprofessionalshallusetheassessmentmethodstodemonstratethatthe
proposeddesignwillachievethegoalsandobjectives,asmeasuredbytheperformance
criteriainlightofthesafetymarginsanduncertaintyanalysis,foreachscenario,giventhe
assumptions.
Chapter6FacilityandSystemsDesign
6.1General.
Theprovisionsofthissectionshallapplytotheoveralldesignofsystemsthathandle
combustibleparticulatesolids.
6.1.1* Thoseportionsoftheprocessandfacilitywhereadustdeflagrationhazardexists
shallbeprotectedfromtheeffectsofdustdeflagrationsinaccordancewithSections6.2,6.3,
and6.4andChapter7.
6.1.2 Thoseportionsoftheprocessandfacilitywhereacombustibleparticulatesolid
presentsafirehazardshallbeprotectedinaccordancewithChapter10.
6.1.3RecyclingofAirMaterialSeparatorExhaust. Recyclingofairmaterialseparator
exhausttobuildingsshallbepermittedifthesystemisdesignedtopreventbothreturnof
dustwithanefficiencyof99.9percentat10 mandtransmissionofenergy fromafireor
explosiontothebuilding.
6.1.3.1 Recyclingofairmaterialseparatorexhausttothebuildingshallnotbepermitted
underanycircumstanceswhencombustiblegasesorvaporsorhybridmixturesareinvolved.
6.1.3.2* Recyclingofairmaterialseparatorexhausttothebuildingshallnotbepermitted
whentherecycledstreamreducestheconcentrationofoxygenbelow19.5percentbyvolume
intheworkarea.
6.1.4 Extinguishingagentsshallbecompatiblewiththeconstructionandprocessmaterials
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withwhichtheycouldcomeintocontact.
6.1.5* Whereapneumaticconveyingsystemoranypartofsuchsystemsoperatesasa
positivepressuretypesystemandtheairmovingdevice'sgaugedischargepressureis15psi
(103kPa)orgreater,thesystemshallbedesignedinaccordancewithSection VIIIofthe
ASMEBoilerandPressureVesselCodeorASMEB31.3,ProcessPiping.
6.1.6 Allcomponentsofpneumaticconveyingsystemsthathandlecombustibleparticulate
solidsshallbedesignedtobedusttight,exceptforopeningsdesignedforintakeand
dischargeofairandmaterial.
6.2Segregation,Separation,orDetachmentofCombustibleDustHandlingand
ProcessingAreas.
6.2.1General.Areasinwhichcombustibledustsareproduced,processed,handled,or
collectedshallbedetached,segregated,orseparatedfromotheroccupanciestominimize
damagefromafireorexplosion.
6.2.2UseofSegregation.
6.2.2.1 Physicalbarriersthatareerectedtosegregatedusthazardsshallhaveallpenetrations
offloors,walls,ceilings,orpartitionssealeddusttight,and,wherestructuralassemblieshave
afireendurancerating,thesealshallmaintainthatrating.
6.2.2.2 Physicalbarriersthatareerectedtosegregatedustdeflagrationhazardsshallbe
designedtoprecludefailureofthosebarriersbeforethedeflagrationpressurecanbesafely
ventedtotheoutside.(Fordeflagrationventing,seeSection6.4.)
6.2.2.3 Doorsandopeningsshallnotbepermittedinphysicalbarriersunlesstheyare
normallyclosedandhavethesamestrengthasthephysicalbarrier.
6.2.3UseofSeparation.
6.2.3.1* Whenseparationisusedtolimitthefireordustexplosionhazardousarea,the
hazardousareashallincludeareaswheredustaccumulationsexceed in.(0.8mm)orareas
wheredustcloudsofahazardousconcentrationexist,unlessotherwisepermittedby 6.2.3.3.
6.2.3.2 Therequirementsof 6.2.3.1shallnotapplytodustaccumulationswithabulk
densitylessthan75lb/ft3 (1200kg/m3),wheretheallowablethicknesscanbeprorated
upwardbythefollowingequation:
6.2.3.3Distance.
6.2.3.3.1 Therequiredseparationdistancebetweenthehazardousareaidentifiedin 6.2.3.1
andsurroundingexposuresshallbedeterminedbythefollowing:
(1) Engineeringevaluationthataddressesthepropertiesofthematerials
(2) Typeofoperation
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(3) Amountofmateriallikelytobepresentoutsidetheprocessequipment
(4) Buildingdesign
(5) Natureofsurroundingexposures
6.2.3.3.2 Innocaseshallthedistancebelessthan30ft(9m).
6.2.3.4 Whenseparationisused,housekeeping,fixeddustcollectionsystemsemployedat
pointsofrelease,andcompartmentationshallbepermittedtobeusedtolimittheextentof
thehazardousarea.
6.3BuildingConstruction.
6.3.1 AllbuildingsshallbeofTypeIorTypeIIconstruction,asdefinedin NFPA220,
StandardonTypesofBuildingConstruction.
6.3.2 Wherelocal,state,ornationalbuildingcodesaremorerestrictive,modificationsshall
bepermittedforconformancetothosecodes.
6.3.3* Interiorsurfaceswheredustaccumulationscanoccurshallbedesignedand
constructedsoastofacilitatecleaningandtominimizecombustibledustaccumulations.
6.3.4 Spacesinaccessibletohousekeepingshallbesealedtopreventdustaccumulation.
6.3.5 Interiorwallserectedforthepurposeoflimitingfirespreadshallhaveaminimum
1hourfireresistanceratingandshallbedesignedinaccordancewith NFPA221,Standard
forHighChallengeFireWalls,FireWalls,andFireBarrierWalls.
6.3.6FireDoors.
6.3.6.1 Openingsinfirewallsandinfirebarrierwallsshallbeprotectedbyselfclosingfire
doorsthathaveafireresistanceratingequivalenttothewalldesign.
6.3.6.2 FiredoorsshallbeinstalledaccordingtoNFPA80,StandardforFireDoorsand
FireWindows,andshallnormallybeintheclosedposition.
6.3.7Egress.Meansofegressshallcomplywith NFPA 101,LifeSafetyCode.
6.3.8Penetrations.Wherefloors,walls,ceilings,andotherpartitionshavebeenerectedto
controlthespreadoffireordeflagrations,penetrationsinthesestructuresshallbesealedto
maintaintheirfireenduranceratingandmaintainphysicalintegrityinadeflagration.(See
7.6.5.)
6.3.9FireResistanceRating.
6.3.9.1 Interiorstairs,elevators,andmanliftsshallbeenclosedindusttightshaftsthathavea
minimumfireresistanceratingof1hour.
6.3.9.2 Doorsthataretheautomaticclosingorselfclosingtypeandhaveafireresistance
ratingof1hourshallbeprovidedateachlanding.
6.3.9.3 Stairs,elevators,andmanliftsthatserveonlyopendeckfloors,mezzanines,and
platformsshallnotberequiredtobeenclosed.
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6.3.10* Floorsandloadbearingwallsthatareexposedtodustexplosionhazardsshallbe
designedtoprecludefailureduringanexplosion.
6.4*DeflagrationVenting.
6.4.1* Ifaroomorbuildingcontainsadustexplosionhazardasspecifiedin 6.2.3.1thatis
externaltoprotectedequipment,suchareasshallbeprovidedwithdeflagrationventingtoa
safeoutsidelocation.
6.4.2*VentClosures.
6.4.2.1 Ventclosuresshallbedirectedtowardarestrictedarea.
6.4.2.2 Theventclosureshallnotbeamissilehazard.
6.4.2.3 Thefireballandtheblastpressurethatarecreatedbytheventingprocessshallnot
impingeonunrestrictedpersonnelpathways.
6.5*ReliefValves.
Reliefvalvesshallnotbeventedtoadusthazardarea,asspecifiedby 6.2.3.1.
6.6ElectricalEquipment.
6.6.1 Allelectricalequipmentandinstallationsshallcomplywiththerequirementsof NFPA
70,NationalElectricalCode,orNFPA496,StandardforPurgedandPressurized
EnclosuresforElectricalEquipment.
6.6.2* Inlocalareasofaplantwhereahazardousquantityofdustaccumulatesoris
suspendedinair,theareashallbeclassifiedandallelectricalequipmentandinstallationsin
thoselocalareasshallcomplywithArticle502orArticle503of NFPA70,National
ElectricalCode,asapplicable.
6.6.3 Hazardous(classified)areasthatareidentifiedinaccordancewith 6.6.2shallbe
documented,andsuchdocumentationshallbepermanentlymaintainedonfileforthelifeof
thefacility.
Chapter7ProcessEquipment
7.1*General.
Methodsoffireandexplosionprotectionforspecificequipmentshallbeinaccordancewith
thissection.
7.1.1*RiskEvaluation.Adocumentedriskevaluationacceptabletotheauthorityhaving
jurisdictionshallbepermittedtobeconductedtodeterminethelevelofprotectiontobe
provided.
7.1.2ExplosionProtectionforEquipment.
7.1.2.1 Thedesignofexplosionprotectionforequipmentshallincorporateoneormoreof
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thefollowingmethodsofprotection:
(1) Oxidantconcentrationreductioninaccordancewith NFPA69,Standardon
ExplosionPreventionSystems
(a) Whereoxygenmonitoringisused,itshallbeinstalledinaccordancewithISA
84.00.01,FunctionalSafety:ApplicationofSafetyInstrumentedSystemsfor
theProcessIndustrySector.
(b)* Wherethechemicalpropertiesofthematerialbeingconveyedrequirea
minimumconcentrationofoxygentocontrolpyrophoricity,thatlevelof
concentrationshallbemaintained.
(2)* Deflagrationventing
(3) Deflagrationpressurecontainmentinaccordancewith NFPA69,Standardon
(4) Deflagrationsuppressionsystemsinaccordancewith NFPA69,Standardon
(5)* Dilutionwithanoncombustibledusttorenderthemixturenoncombustible(See
7.1.2.2.)
(6)* Deflagrationventingthroughalisteddustretentionandflamearrestingdevice
7.1.2.2 Ifthemethodin 7.1.2.1(5)isused,testdataforspecificdustanddiluent
combinationsshallbeprovidedandshallbeacceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdiction.
7.1.3FireProtectionforEquipment.Equipmentfireprotectionshallbedesignedin
accordancewithChapter10.
7.1.4*IsolationofEquipment.
7.1.4.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,isolationdevicesshallbeprovidedtoprevent
deflagrationpropagationbetweenpiecesofequipmentconnectedbyductwork.
7.1.4.2 Isolationdevicesshallinclude,butshallnotbelimitedto,thefollowing:
(1)* Chokes
(2)* Rotaryvalves
(3)* Automaticfastactingvalvesystemsinaccordancewith NFPA69,Standardon
(4)* Flamefrontdivertersinaccordancewith NFPA69,StandardonExplosion
PreventionSystems
(5)* Chemicalisolationsystemsinaccordancewith NFPA69,StandardonExplosion
PreventionSystems
7.1.4.3 Isolationdevicesshallnotberequiredwhenoxidantconcentrationhasbeenreduced
orwhenthedusthasbeenrenderednoncombustibleinaccordancewith 7.1.2.1(1)or
7.1.2.1(5).
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7.1.4.4* Isolationdevicesshallnotberequiredifadocumentedriskevaluationthatis
acceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdictiondeterminesthatdeflagrationpropagationwill
notoccur.
7.1.5*DeflagrationIsolation.
7.1.5.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,isolationdevicesshallbeprovidedtoprevent
deflagrationpropagationfromairmaterialseparatorsupstreamtotheworkareas.
7.1.5.2 Isolationdevicesshallinclude,butshallnotbelimitedto,thoselistedin 7.1.4.2(1)
through 7.1.4.2(5).
7.1.5.3 Isolationdevicesshallnotberequiredifadocumentedriskevaluationthatis
acceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdictiondeterminesthatdeflagrationpropagationwill
notoccur.
7.1.6FireProtectionforFacility.Whereafirepropagationhazardexists,therequirements
ofChapter10shallapply.
7.2BulkStorageEnclosures.
7.2.1General.
7.2.1.1 Forthepurposesofthissection,bulkstorageshallincludeitemssuchasbins,tanks,
hoppers,andsilos.
7.2.1.2* Therequirementsofthissectionshallnotapplytocontainersthatareusedfor
transportationofthematerial.
7.2.2Construction.Bulkstoragecontainers,whetherlocatedinsideoroutsideofbuildings,
shallbeconstructedsoasnottorepresentanincreaseinthefireloadbeyondthecapabilities
oftheexistingfireprotection.
7.2.3ExplosionHazards.
7.2.3.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,intertankorinterbinventingshallnotbe
permitted.
7.2.3.2FixedBulkStorageLocation.
7.2.3.2.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,fixedbulkstoragecontainersshallbelocated
outsideofbuildings.
7.2.3.2.2 Fixedbulkstoragecontainersshallbepermittedtobelocatedinsideofbuildings
whereoneofthefollowingapplies:
(1) Fixedbulkstoragecontainersareprotectedinaccordancewith 7.1.2.1(1),7.1.2.1(3),
7.1.2.1(4),7.1.2.1(5),or7.1.2.1(6).
(2)* Fixedbulkstoragecontainersmeetallofthefollowingcriteria:
(a) Theyareequippedwithdeflagrationventsthatareventedthroughductstothe
outside.
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(b) Thereducedventingefficiencyduetotheducthasbeentakenintoaccount.
(c) Theductsaredesignedtowithstandtheeffectsofthedeflagration.
(3)* Fixedbulkstoragecontainersare8ft3 (0.2m3)orless.
7.2.3.3FixedBulkStorageProtection.
7.2.3.3.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,fixedbulkstoragecontainersshallbeprotected
inaccordancewith 7.1.2.
7.2.3.3.2 Forfixedbulkstoragecontainersthatarelocatedoutsideofbuildings,arisk
evaluationshallbepermittedtobeconductedtodeterminethelevelofexplosionprotection
tobeprovided.
7.2.3.3.3* Theexplosionprotectionrequirementsof 7.1.2shallnotberequiredprovided
thatthevolumeofthefixedbulkstoragecontainerislessthan8ft3 (0.2m3).
7.2.3.3.4 Therequirementsof 7.2.3.3shallnotapplytostorageandreceivingcontainers
thatareusedfortransportationofthematerial.
7.2.4*InteriorSurfaces.Interiorsurfacesshallbedesignedandconstructedtofacilitate
cleaningandtominimizecombustibledustaccumulation.
7.2.5*AccessDoorsandOpenings.
7.2.5.1 Accessdoorsoropeningsshallbeprovidedtoallowinspection,cleaning,and
maintenance.
7.2.5.2 Accessdoorsoropeningsshallbedesignedtopreventdustleaks.
7.2.5.3 Accessdoorsoropeningsthatarenotspecificallydesignedfordeflagrationventing
shallnotbeconsideredasprovidingthatfunction.
7.2.5.4 Accessdoorsshallbebondedandgrounded.
7.3MaterialTransferSystem.
7.3.1General.
7.3.1.1* Wheremorethanonematerialistobehandledbyasystem,compatibilitytestsshall
berun.
7.3.1.2 Whereincompatibilityisfound,provisionsshallbemadeforcleaningthesystem
priortotransportinganewmaterial.
7.3.1.3 Wherethematerialsbeingconveyedarecorrosive,thesystemshallbeconstructedof
corrosionresistantmaterials.
7.3.1.4 Wheretheatmospheresurroundingtheconveyingsystemiscorrosive,theconveying
systemshallbeconstructedofcorrosionresistantmaterials.
7.3.2PneumaticConveyingSystems.
7.3.2.1 Theadditionofbranchlinesshallnotbemadetoanexistingsystemwithout
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redesigningtheentiresystem.
7.3.2.2 Branchlinesshallnotbedisconnectedandunusedportionsofthesystemshallnotbe
blankedoffwithoutprovidingameanstomaintainrequiredandbalancedairflow.
7.3.2.3 Therateofairflowateachhoodorotherpickuppointshallbedesignedsoasto
conveyandcontrolthematerial.
7.3.2.4* Allductworkshallbesizedtoprovidetheairvolumeandairvelocitynecessaryto
keeptheductinteriorcleanandfreeofresidualmaterial.
7.3.2.5 Thedesignofthepneumaticconveyancesystemshallbedocumented,includingthe
followinginformation:
(1) Dataontherangeofparticulatesize
(2) Concentrationinconveyanceairstream
(3) Potentialforreactionbetweenthetransportedparticulateandtheextinguishingmedia
usedtoprotectprocessequipment
(4) Conductivityoftheparticulate
(5) Otherphysicalandchemicalpropertiesthataffectthefireprotectionoftheprocess
7.3.2.6 Pneumaticconveyingsystemsthatremovematerialfromoperationsthatgenerate
flames,sparks,orhotmaterialshallnotbeinterconnectedwithpneumaticconveyingsystems
thattransportcombustibleparticulatesolidsorhybridmixtures.
7.3.3Operations.
7.3.3.1SequenceofOperation.Pneumaticconveyingsystemsshallbedesignedwiththe
operatinglogic,sequencing,andtimingoutlinedin 7.3.3.2and7.3.3.3.
7.3.3.2*Startup.Pneumaticconveyingsystemsshallbedesignedsuchthat,onstartup,the
systemachievesandmaintainsdesignairvelocitypriortotheadmissionofmaterialtothe
system.
7.3.3.3Shutdown.Pneumaticconveyingsystemsshallbedesignedsuchthat,onshutdown
oftheprocess,thesystemmaintainsdesignairvelocityuntilmaterialispurgedfromthe
system.
7.4SpecificRequirementsforSystemsthatConveyMetalParticulates.
7.4.1General.Thissectionshallapplytofacilitiesthatoperatepneumaticconveying
systemsformetalparticulates.
7.4.1.1*WaterReactivity.
7.4.1.1.1 Unlessotherwisedetermined,metalparticulatesshallbedeemedwaterreactive,
andwaterbasedextinguishingagentsshallnotbeused.
7.4.1.1.2 Speciallyengineeredhighdensitywaterspraysystemsapprovedbytheauthority
havingjurisdictionshallbepermittedtobeused.
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7.4.1.1.3 Therequirementof 7.4.1.1.1shallnotapplytothecollectionofirondustsfrom
shotblasting.
7.4.1.2 Systemsthatconveyalloysthatexhibitfireorexplosioncharacteristicssimilarto
thoseofthebasemetalshallbeprovidedwiththesameprotectionassystemsthatconveythe
basemetal.
7.4.2Iron,Nickel,Copper,andOtherTransitionMetalParticulates.Transitionmetal
combustibleparticulatesshallbeclassifiedaswatercompatible,waterincompatible,orwater
reactivebasedontheavailablechemicalandphysicaldataandinconjunctionwiththe
7.5SystemsThatConveyHybridMixtures.
Thepercentageofthelowerflammablelimit(LFL)offlammablevaporsandthepercentage
oftheminimumexplosibleconcentration(MEC)ofcombustibledusts,whencombined,shall
notexceed25percentwithintheairstream,exceptforsystemsprotectedinaccordancewith
7.1.2.1(1)through 7.1.2.1(4).
7.6DuctSystems.
7.6.1 Ductsthathandlecombustibleparticulatesolidsshallconformtotherequirementsof
NoncombustibleParticulateSolids,exceptasamendedbytherequirementsofthischapter.
7.6.2 Flexiblehoseandconnectionsshallbepermittedtobeusedformaterialpickupand
isolation.
7.6.3 Bellowsshallbepermittedtobeusedforthefreemovementofweighbinsifthe
bellowsareconductiveandtheequipmentisbondedandgrounded.
7.6.4* Changesinductsizesshallbedesignedtopreventtheaccumulationofmaterialby
utilizingataperedtransformationpiecewiththeincludedangleofthetapernotmorethan30
degrees.
7.6.5* Whenductspassthroughaphysicalbarrierthatiserectedtosegregatedust
deflagrationhazards,physicalisolationprotectionshallbeprovidedtopreventpropagation
ofdeflagrationsbetweensegregatedspaces.
7.7SightGlasses.
7.7.1 Sightglassesshallbeofamaterialthatisimpactanderosionresistant.
7.7.2 Sightglassassembliesshallhaveapressureratingequaltoorgreaterthanthatofthe
ductwork.
7.7.3 Ductworkshallbesupportedoneachsideofthesightglasssothatthesightglassdoes
notcarryanyofthesystemweightandisnotsubjecttostressorstrain.
7.7.4 Themechanicalstrengthofthesightglassmountingmechanismshallbeequaltothe
adjoiningductwork.
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7.7.5 Theinsidediameterofasightglassshallnotcausearestrictionofflow.
7.7.6 Theconnectionsbetweenthesightglassandtheductworkshallbesquarelybuttedand
sealedsoastobebothairtightanddusttight.
7.7.7 Theelectricalbondingacrossthelengthofthesightglassshallbecontinuousandhave
aresistanceofnomorethan1ohm.
7.8PressureProtectionSystems.
7.8.1VacuumBreakers.Vacuumbreakersshallbeinstalledonnegativepressuresystemsif
thepressuresystemisnotdesignedforthemaximumvacuumattainable.
7.8.2*PressureReliefDevices.
7.8.2.1 Pressurereliefdevicesforreliefofpneumaticoverpressureshallbeinstalledon
positivepressuresystems.
7.8.2.2 Therequirementof 7.8.2.1shallnotapplytosystemsthataredesignedforagauge
pressureoflessthan15psi(103kPa)andareprovidedwithsafetyinterlocksdesignedto
preventoverpressureinaccordancewithISA84.00.01,FunctionalSafety:Applicationof
SafetyInstrumentedSystemsfortheProcessIndustrySector.
7.8.2.3 Therequirementof 7.8.2.1shallnotapplytosystemsthataredesignedforagauge
pressureoflessthan15psi(103kPa)andarecapableofcontainingthemaximumpressure
attainable.
7.8.3AirflowControlValves.
7.8.3.1 Airflowcontrolvalvesthatareinstalledinpneumaticsystemsshallbeofboth
airtightanddusttightconstruction.
7.8.3.2 Airflowcontrolvalvesshallbesizedtoallowpassageofthetotalairflowofthe
systemwhenthedamperisfullyopen.
7.8.3.3 Thepositionofairflowcontrolvalvesshallbevisuallyindicated.
7.8.3.4 Manuallyadjustedairflowcontrolvalves,dampers,gates,ororificeplatesshallhave
ameansofsecuringthemtopreventsubsequentadjustmentormanipulationoncethesystem
isbalanced.
7.8.3.5 Divertervalvesshalleffectapositivediversionofthematerialandshallmechanically
sealallotherdirectionsfromairormaterialleakage.
7.9MaterialFeedingDevices.
7.9.1MechanicalFeedingDevices.
7.9.1.1 Mechanicalfeedingdevicesshallbeequippedwithashearpinoroverloaddetection
deviceandalarm.
7.9.1.2 Thealarmshallsoundattheoperatorcontrolstation.
7.9.2Drives.
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7.9.2.1 Alldrivesusedinconjunctionwithfeeders,airlocks,andothermaterialfeeding
devicesshallbedirectlyconnected.
7.9.2.2 Belt,chainandsprocket,orotherindirectdrivesthataredesignedtostallthedriving
forceswithoutslippingandtoprovidefortheremovalofstaticelectricchargesshallbe
permittedtobeused.
7.10*BucketElevators.
7.10.1*DeflagrationVenting.
7.10.1.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,bucketelevatorsshallbeprovidedwith
deflagrationventing.
7.10.1.2 Whenbucketelevatorsarelocatedinsidethebuilding,deflagrationventsshallbe
ductedtotheoutside.
7.10.1.3 Asanalternativetodeflagrationventing,bucketelevatorsshallbepermittedtobe
protectedinaccordancewith 7.1.2.1(1),7.1.2.1(3),7.1.2.1(4),7.1.2.1(5),7.1.2.1(6),or
7.1.4.2(5).
7.10.2 Elevatorcasings,headandbootsections,andconnectingductsshallbedusttightand
shallbeconstructedofnoncombustiblematerials.
7.10.3 Whereprovided,inletanddischargehoppersshallbedesignedtobeaccessiblefor
cleaningandinspection.
7.10.4PowerCutoff.
7.10.4.1* Beltdrivenbucketelevatorsshallbeprovidedwithadetectorthatcutsoffthe
powertothedrivemotorifthemotorspeeddropsbelow80percentofnormaloperating
speed.
7.10.4.2 Feedtotheelevatorlegshallbestoppedordivertedwhenthepowertothemotor
isstopped.
7.10.5Belts.
7.10.5.1 Beltdrivenbucketelevatorsshallhaveanonslipmaterial(lagging)installedonthe
headpulleytominimizeslippage.
7.10.5.2* Beltsandlaggingshallbefireandoilresistant.
7.10.6 Nobearingsshallbelocatedinthebucketelevatorcasing.
7.10.7* Headandbootsectionsshallbeprovidedwithopeningstoallowforcleanout,
inspection,andalignmentofthepulleyandbelt.
7.10.8Drive.
7.10.8.1* Thebucketelevatorshallbedrivenbyamotoranddrivetrainthatiscapableof
handlingthefullratedcapacityoftheelevatorwithoutoverloading.
7.10.8.2 Thedriveshallbecapableofstartingtheunchokedelevatorunderfull(100
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percent)load.
7.10.9Monitors.
7.10.9.1 Elevatorsshallhavemonitorsatheadandtailpulleysthatindicatehighbearing
temperature,vibrationdetection,headpulleyalignment,andbeltalignment.
7.10.9.2 Abnormalconditionsshallactuateanalarmrequiringcorrectiveaction.
7.10.9.3 Thealarmshallsoundattheoperatorcontrolstation.
7.10.9.4 Therequirementof 7.10.9.1shallnotapplytoelevatorsthathavebeltspeeds
below500ft/min(150m/min)orcapacitieslessthan3750ft3/hr(106m3/hr).
7.10.10EmergencyControls.
7.10.10.1 Allbinsintowhichmaterialisdirectlydischargedfromthebucketelevatorand
thatarenotdesignedwithautomaticoverflowsystemsshallbeequippedwithdevicestoshut
downequipmentorwithhighlevelindicatingdeviceswithvisualoraudiblealarms.
7.10.10.2 Theaudiblealarmspecifiedin 7.10.10.1shallsoundattheoperatorcontrol
station.
7.11*EnclosedConveyors.
7.11.1HousingandCoverings.
7.11.1.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexistswithinenclosedconveyors,theyshallbe
protectedinaccordancewith 7.1.2.
7.11.1.2 Housingsforenclosedconveyors(e.g.,screwconveyorsanddragconveyors)shall
beofmetalconstructionandshallbedesignedsoastopreventescapeofcombustibledusts.
7.11.1.3 Coveringsoncleanout,inspection,andotheropeningsshallbefastenedtoprevent
theescapeofcombustibledusts.
7.11.2PowerShutoff.
7.11.2.1* Allconveyorsshallbeequippedwithadevicethatshutsoffthepowertothedrive
motorandsoundsanalarmintheeventtheconveyorplugs.
7.11.2.2 Thealarmshallsoundattheoperatorcontrolstation,andfeedtotheconveyor
shallbestoppedordiverted.
7.12AirMovingDevices(FansandBlowers).
7.12.1 Airmovingdevicesshallconformtotherequirementsof NFPA91,Standardfor
ExhaustSystemsforAirConveyingofVapors,Gases,Mists,andNoncombustible
ParticulateSolids,exceptasamendedbytherequirementsofthischapter.
7.12.2CombustibleParticulateSolids.
7.12.2.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,systemsshallbedesignedinsuchamannerthat
combustibleparticulatesolidsdonotpassthroughanairmovingdevice.
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7.12.2.2* Therequirementof 7.12.2.1shallnotapplytosystemsdesignedtooperateata
combustibleparticulatesolidsconcentrationorhybridmixtureconcentrationoflessthan
0.0003oz/ft3 (0.3g/m3).
7.12.2.3* Therequirementof 7.12.2.1shallnotapplytosystemsmeetingbothofthe
followingcriteria:
(1) Systemsoperatingatacombustibleparticulatesolidsconcentrationorhybridmixture
concentrationequaltoorgreaterthan0.0003oz/ft3 (0.3g/m3)
(2) Systemsprotectedbyanapprovedexplosionpreventionorisolationsystemto
preventthepropagationoftheflamefrontfromthefantootherequipmentin
accordancewith 7.1.2.1(1),7.1.2.1(4),7.1.2.1(5),7.1.4.2(3),7.1.4.2(4),or
7.1.4.2(5).
7.12.3 Whereafirehazardexistsandwherecombustibleparticulatesolidspassthroughan
airmovingdevice,provisionsshallbemadetopreventignitedmaterialfromentering
processesdownstream,inaccordancewithChapter10.
7.13AirMaterialSeparators(AirSeparationDevices).
7.13.1General.
7.13.1.1Location.
7.13.1.1.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,airmaterialseparatorsshallbelocatedoutside
ofbuildings.
7.13.1.1.2* Therequirementof 7.13.1.1.1shallnotapplytothefollowing:
(1) Airmaterialseparatorsthatareprotectedinaccordancewith 7.1.2.1(1),7.1.2.1(3),
7.1.2.1(4),7.1.2.1(5),or7.1.2.1(6)
(2) Airmaterialseparatorsthatmeetallofthefollowingcriteria:
(a) Theyareequippedwithdeflagrationventsthatareventedthroughductstothe
outside.
(b) Thereducedventingefficiencyduetotheducthasbeentakenintoaccount.
(c) Theductsaredesignedtowithstandtheeffectsofthedeflagration.
(3) Airmaterialseparatorsthathaveavolumeoflessthan8ft3 (0.2m3)
7.13.1.2 Wherebothanexplosionhazardandafirehazardexistinanairmaterialseparator,
provisionsforprotectionforeachtypeofhazardshallbeprovided.
7.13.1.3Protection.
7.13.1.3.1 Airmaterialseparatorsshallbeprotectedinaccordancewith 7.1.2.
7.13.1.3.2 Forairmaterialseparatorsthatarelocatedoutsideofbuildings,ariskevaluation
shallbepermittedtobeconductedtodeterminethelevelofexplosionprotectiontobe
provided.
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7.13.1.4ManifoldingofDustCollectionDucts.
7.13.1.4.1 Manifoldingofdustcollectionductstoairmaterialseparatorsshallnotbe
permitted.
7.13.1.4.2 Dustcollectionductsfromasinglepieceofequipmentorfrommultiplepiecesof
equipmentinterconnectedonthesameprocessstreamshallbepermittedtobemanifolded.
7.13.1.4.3 Dustcollectionductsfromnonassociatedpiecesofequipmentshallbepermitted
tobemanifoldedprovidedthateachductisequippedwithanisolationdevicepriorto
manifoldinginaccordancewith 7.1.4.
7.13.1.4.4 Dustcollectionductsforcentralizedvacuumcleaningsystemsshallbepermitted
tobemanifolded.
7.13.1.5* Isolationdevicesshallbeprovidedforairmaterialseparatorsinaccordancewith
7.1.4.
7.13.1.6 Wherelightningprotectionisprovided,itshallbeinstalledinaccordancewith
NFPA780,StandardfortheInstallationofLightningProtectionSystems.
7.13.1.7ExhaustAir.
7.13.1.7.1 Exhaustairfromthefinalairmaterialseparatorshallbedischargedoutsidetoa
restrictedareaandawayfromairintakes.
7.13.1.7.2 Airfromairmaterialseparatorsshallbepermittedtoberecirculateddirectly
backtothepneumaticconveyingsystem.
7.13.1.7.3 Airfromairmaterialseparatorsshallbepermittedtobereturnedtothebuilding
whenincompliancewiththerequirementsof 6.1.3.
7.13.1.8 Wheremorethanonematerialistobehandledbyasystemandisknowntobe
incompatible,provisionsshallbemadeforcleaningthesystempriortothehandlingofanew
material.
7.13.2Construction.
7.13.2.1NoncombustibleMaterial.
7.13.2.1.1 Airmaterialseparatorsshallbeconstructedofnoncombustiblematerials.
7.13.2.1.2 Filtermediashallbepermittedtobeconstructedofcombustiblematerial.
7.13.2.2MaximumMaterialFlow.
7.13.2.2.1 Airmaterialseparatorsshallbeconstructedtominimizeinternalledgesorother
pointsofdustaccumulation.
7.13.2.2.2 Hopperbottomsshallbesloped,andthedischargeconveyingsystemshallbe
designedtohandlethemaximummaterialflowattainablefromthesystem.
7.13.2.3AccessDoors.
7.13.2.3.1 Accessdoorsoropeningsshallbeprovidedtopermitinspection,cleaning,and
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maintenance.
7.13.2.3.2 Accessdoorsoropeningsshallbedesignedtopreventdustleaks.
7.13.2.3.3 Accessdoorsshallbepermittedtobeusedasdeflagrationventsiftheyare
specificallydesignedforbothpurposes.
7.13.2.3.4 Accessdoorsshallbebondedandgrounded.
7.13.2.3.5* Accessdoorsshallbedesignedtowithstandtheventedexplosionpressure
(Pred).
7.14*AbortGates/AbortDampers.
7.14.1Construction.
7.14.1.1 Abortgatesandabortdampersshallbeconstructedofnoncombustiblematerials.
7.14.1.2 Abortgatesshallbeactuatedbysparkdetectionintheductorpipeupstreamofthe
device.
7.14.1.3 Thedetectionsystemandabortgateshallrespondtopreventsparks,glowing
embers,orburningmaterialsfrompassingbeyondtheabortgate.
7.14.2Operation.
7.14.2.1 Theabortgateorabortdampershallbeinstalledsothatitdivertsairflowtoa
restrictedareatosafelydischargecombustiongases,flames,burningsolids,orprocessgases
orfumes.
7.14.2.2ManualReset.
7.14.2.2.1 Theabortgateorabortdampershallbeprovidedwithamanualresetsuchthat,
subsequenttooperation,itcanbereturnedonlytothenormaloperatingpositionatthe
damper(gate).
7.14.2.2.2 Automaticorremoteresetprovisionsshallnotbepermitted.
7.15*SizeReduction.
7.15.1 Beforematerialisprocessedbysizereductionequipment,foreignmaterialsshallbe
excludedorremovedasrequiredby 9.1.1.
7.15.2 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,protectionshallbeprovidedasspecifiedin 7.1.2.
7.15.3 Whereafirehazardexists,protectionshallbeprovidedinaccordancewithChapter
10.
7.16*ParticleSizeSeparation.
7.16.1 Particleseparationdevicesshallbeindusttightenclosures.
7.16.2 ConnectionductsshallbeinconformancewithSection 7.6.
7.16.3*ExplosionProtection.
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7.16.3.1 Whereanexplosionhazardexists,protectionshallbeprovidedasspecifiedin 7.1.2.
7.16.3.2* Screensandsievesshallnotberequiredtohaveexplosionprotection.
7.16.4 Whereafirehazardexists,protectionshallbeinaccordancewithChapter10.
7.17MixersandBlenders.
7.17.1 Mixersandblendersshallbedusttight.
7.17.2 Foreignmaterialsshallbeexcludedorremovedasrequiredby 9.1.1.
7.17.5 Mixersandblendersshallbemadeofmetal,othernoncombustiblematerial,ora
materialthatdoesnotrepresentanincreasedfireloadbeyondthecapabilitiesoftheexisting
fireprotection.
7.18*Dryers.
7.18.1 HeatingsystemsshallbeinaccordancewithSection 9.6.
7.18.2DryingMedia.
7.18.2.1 Dryingmediathatcomeintocontactwithmaterialbeingprocessedshallnotbe
recycledtoroomsorbuildings.
7.18.2.2 Dryingmediashallbepermittedtoberecycledtothedryingprocessprovidedthe
followingconditionsaremet:
(1) Themediapassesthroughafilter,dustseparator,orequivalentmeansofdust
removal.
(2) Thevaporflammabilityofthedryingmediainthedryeriscontrolledbyeither
oxidantconcentrationreductionorcombustibleconcentrationreductionin
accordancewith NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems.
7.18.3 Dryersshallbeconstructedofnoncombustiblematerials.
7.18.4 Interiorsurfacesofdryersshallbedesignedsothataccumulationsofmaterialare
minimizedandcleaningisfacilitated.
7.18.5 Accessdoorsoropeningsshallbeprovidedinallpartsofthedryerandconnecting
conveyorstopermitinspection,cleaning,maintenance,andtheeffectiveuseofportable
extinguishersorhosestreams.
7.18.8 Heateddryersshallcomplywith NFPA86,StandardforOvensandFurnaces.
7.18.9* Heateddryersshallhaveoperatingcontrolsarrangedtomaintainthetemperatureof
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thedryingchamberwithintheprescribedlimits.
7.18.10 Heateddryersandtheirauxiliaryequipmentshallbeequippedwithseparate
excesstemperaturelimitcontrols,independentoftheoperatingcontrols,thatarearrangedto
supervisethefollowing:
(1) Heatedairsupplytothedryingchamber
(2) Airstreamatthedischargeofthedryingchamber
Chapter8FugitiveDustControlandHousekeeping
8.1FugitiveDustControl.
8.1.1 Continuoussuctiontominimizetheescapeofdustshallbeprovidedforprocesses
wherecombustibledustisliberatedinnormaloperation.
8.1.2 Thedustshallbeconveyedtodustcollectors.
8.2Housekeeping.
Therequirementsof 8.2.1through 8.2.3shallbeappliedretroactively.
8.2.1*General.
8.2.1.1 Equipmentshallbemaintainedandoperatedinamannerthatminimizestheescape
ofdust.
8.2.1.2 Regularcleaningfrequenciesshallbeestablishedforwalls,floors,andhorizontal
surfaces,suchasequipment,ducts,pipes,hoods,ledges,beams,andabovesuspended
ceilingsandotherconcealedsurfaces,tominimizedustaccumulationswithinoperatingareas
ofthefacility.
8.2.2*DustClouds.
8.2.2.1 Surfacesshallbecleanedinamannerthatminimizesthegenerationofdustclouds.
8.2.2.2 Vigoroussweepingorblowingdownwithsteamorcompressedairproducesdust
cloudsandshallbepermittedonlywherethefollowingrequirementsaremet:
(1) Areaandequipmentshallbevacuumedpriortoblowdown.
(2) ElectricalequipmentnotsuitableforClassIIlocationsandothersourcesofignition
shallbeshutdownorremovedfromthearea.
(3) Onlylowpressuresteamorcompressedair,notexceedingagaugepressureof15psi
(103kPa),shallbeused.
(4) Nohotsurfacesorflamescapableofignitingadustcloudorlayershallexistinthe
area.
8.2.3VacuumCleaners.
8.2.3.1 VacuumcleanersshallbelistedforuseinClassIIhazardouslocationsorshallbea
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fixedpipesuctionsystemwithremotelylocatedexhausteranddustcollectorinstalledin
conformancewithSection 7.13.
8.2.3.2 Whereflammablevaporsorgasesarepresent,vacuumcleanersshallbelistedfor
ClassIandClassIIhazardouslocations.
Chapter9IgnitionSources
9.1HeatfromMechanicalSparksandFriction.
9.1.1ForeignMaterials.
9.1.1.1 Meansshallbeprovidedtopreventforeignmaterialfromenteringthesystemwhen
suchforeignmaterialpresentsanignitionhazard.
9.1.1.2 Floorsweepingsshallnotbereturnedtoanymachine.
9.1.1.3* Foreignmaterials,suchastrampmetal,thatarecapableofignitingcombustible
materialbeingprocessedshallberemovedfromtheprocessstreambyoneofthefollowing
methods:
(1) Permanentmagneticseparatorsorelectromagneticseparatorsthatindicatelossof
powertotheseparators
(2) Pneumaticseparators
(3) Gratesorotherseparationdevices
9.1.2*InherentlyIgnitibleProcessStreams.
9.1.2.1 Wheretheprocessisconfiguredsuchthatthepneumaticconveyingsystemconveys
materialsthatcanactasanignitionsource,meansshallbeprovidedtominimizethehazard.
9.1.2.2 Themeansusedtominimizetheignitionsourcehazardspecifiedin 9.1.2.1shallbe
permittedtoincludeprotectionmeasuresidentifiedin 7.1.1andSection 10.1,asappropriate.
9.1.3*BeltDrives.Beltdrivesshallbedesignedtostallwithoutthebelt'sslipping,ora
safetydeviceshallbeprovidedtoshutdowntheequipmentifslippageoccurs.
9.1.4*Bearings.
9.1.4.1 Rollerorballbearingsshallbeusedonallprocessingandtransferequipment.
9.1.4.2 Bushingsshallbepermittedtobeusedwhenadocumentedengineeringevaluation
showsthatmechanicalloadsandspeedsprecludeignitionduetofrictionalheating.
9.1.4.3 Lubricationshallbeperformedinaccordancewiththemanufacturer's
recommendations.
9.1.5Equipment.Equipmentwithmovingpartsshallbeinstalledandmaintainedsothat
truealignmentismaintainedandclearanceisprovidedtominimizefriction.
9.2ElectricalEquipment.
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AllelectricalequipmentandinstallationsshallcomplywiththerequirementsofSection 6.6.
9.3*StaticElectricity.
Therequirementsof 9.3.1and9.3.2shallbeappliedretroactively.
9.3.1*ConductiveComponents.
9.3.1.1 Allsystemcomponentsshallbeconductive.
9.3.1.2 Wheretheuseofconductivecomponentsisnotpractical,nonconductiveequipment
shallbepermittedwhereoneofthefollowingcriteriaismet:
(1) Adocumentedengineeringanalysisthatisacceptabletotheauthorityhaving
jurisdictionhasdeterminedthatnoelectrostaticignitionpotentialexists.
(2) Materialsbeingconveyedarenotcompatiblewithmetalductwork,andothermeans
ofexplosionprotectionareprovidedinaccordancewith 7.1.2.1(1),7.1.2.1(3),
7.1.2.1(4),or7.1.2.1(5).
9.3.1.3 Bondingandgroundingwitharesistanceoflessthan1.0106 ohmstogroundshall
beprovidedforconductivecomponents.
9.3.2 Wherebeltdrivesareused,thebeltsshallbeelectricallyconductiveandhavea
resistanceoflessthan1.0106 ohmstoground.
9.3.3IntermediateBulkContainers(IBCs).
9.3.3.1* Dispensingmaterialfromintermediatebulkcontainersintocombustible
atmospheresshallbeperformedonlyunderthefollowingconditions:
(1) Aconductive(i.e.,metallic)rigidintermediatebulkcontainer(RIBC)shallbe
permittedtobeusedfordispensingintoanyflammablevapor,gas,dust,orhybrid
atmospheresprovidedtheRIBCiselectricallygrounded.
(2)* ATypeBflexibleintermediatebulkcontainer(FIBC)shallbepermittedtobeused
fordispensingintodustatmosphereswheretheminimumignitionenergy(MIE)is
greaterthan3mJ,butnoflammablevapororgasispresent.
(3)* ATypeCFIBCshallbepermittedtobeusedfordispensingintoanyflammable
vapor,gas,dust,orhybridatmosphereforwhichtheFIBChasbeentestedandfound
suitable,providedtheFIBCiselectricallygroundedwitharesistancelessthan1
megohmtoground.
(4)* ATypeDFIBCshallbepermittedtobeusedfordispensingintoflammablevapor,
gas,dust,orhybridatmospheresforwhichtheFIBChasbeentestedandfound
suitable.
(5)* ATypeAFIBCorinsulatingRIBCsshallnotbepermittedtobeusedfor
combustiblepowderapplications,processes,oroperationsunlessadocumentedrisk
evaluationassessingtheelectrostatichazardsisacceptabletotheauthorityhaving
jurisdiction.
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9.3.3.2* FIBCsthatarelistedortestedbyarecognizedtestingorganizationandareshown
nottoigniteflammableatmospheresduringtransfershallbepermittedtobeused.
9.3.3.3 Documentationoftestresultsshallbemadeavailabletotheauthorityhaving
jurisdiction.
9.3.4 Particulatesolidsshallnotbemanuallydumpeddirectlyintovesselscontaining
flammableatmospheres(gasesataflammableconcentrationwithanoxidant)orwhere
displacementcouldcauseaflammableatmosphereexternaltothevessel.
9.3.5 Manualadditionsofsolidsthroughanopenportoramanwayintoavesselcontaining
flammablevaporsshallbepermittedtobedonein50lb(25kg)batchesorsmaller.
9.4CartridgeActuatedTools.
9.4.1 Cartridgeactuatedtoolsshallnotbeusedinareaswherecombustiblematerialis
produced,processed,orpresentunlessallmachineryisshutdownandtheareaiscleaned
andinspectedtoensuretheremovalofallaccumulationsofcombustiblematerial.
9.4.2 Acceptedlockout/tagoutproceduresshallbefollowedfortheshutdownofmachinery.
9.4.3 Theuseofcartridgeactuatedtoolsshallbeinaccordancewith 9.5.2.
9.4.4 Aninspectionshallbemadeaftertheworkiscompletedtoensurethatnocartridges
orchargesareleftintheareawheretheycanenterequipmentorbeaccidentallydischarged
afteroperationofthedustproducingorhandlingmachineryisresumed.
9.5OpenFlamesandSparks.
9.5.1 Cuttingandweldingshallcomplywiththeapplicablerequirementsof NFPA51B,
StandardforFirePreventionDuringWelding,Cutting,andOtherHotWork.
9.5.2 Grinding,chipping,andotheroperationsthatproduceeithersparksoropenflame
ignitionsourcesshallbecontrolledbyahotworkpermitsysteminaccordancewith NFPA
51B,StandardforFirePreventionDuringWelding,Cutting,andOtherHotWork.
9.5.3 Smokingshallbepermittedonlyindesignatedareas.
9.6ProcessandComfortHeatingSystems.
9.6.1* Inareasprocessingcombustibledust,processandcomfortheatingshallbeprovided
byindirectmeans.
9.6.2 Firedequipmentshallbelocatedoutdoorsorinaseparatedustfreeroomorbuilding.
9.6.3 Airforcombustionshallbetakenfromacleanoutsidesource.
9.6.4 Comfortairsystemsforprocessingareascontainingcombustibledustshallnotbe
recirculated.
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9.6.5 Recirculatingsystemsshallbepermittedtobeusedprovidedthatallofthefollowing
criteriaaremet:
(1) Onlyfreshmakeupairisheated.
(2) Thereturnairisfilteredtopreventaccumulationsofdustintherecirculatingsystem.
(3) Theexhaustflowisbalancedwithfreshairintake.
9.6.6 Comfortairshallnotbepermittedtoflowfromhazardoustononhazardousareas.
9.7*HotSurfaces.
Thetemperatureofexternalsurfaces,suchascompressorssteam,water,orprocesspiping
ductsandprocessequipment,inanareacontainingacombustibledustshallbemaintained
below80percentoftheminimumignitiontemperatureofthedustlayerasdeterminedby
recognizedtestmethodsacceptabletotheauthorityhavingjurisdictionor329F(165C),
whicheverislower.
9.8IndustrialTrucks.
Inareascontainingacombustibledusthazard,onlyindustrialtruckslistedorapprovedfor
theelectricalclassificationofthearea,asdeterminedbySection 6.6,shallbeusedin
accordancewith NFPA505,FireSafetyStandardforPoweredIndustrialTrucksIncluding
TypeDesignations,AreasofUse,Conversions,Maintenance,andOperations.
Chapter10FireProtection
10.1General.
Fireprotectionsystems,whereinstalled,shallbespecificallydesignedtoaddressbuilding
protection,processequipment,andthechemicalandphysicalpropertiesofthematerials
beingprocessed.
10.2SystemRequirements.
Fireprotectionsystemsrequiredbythisstandardshallcomplywith 10.2.1and10.2.9.
10.2.1* Fireextinguishingagentsshallbecompatiblewiththeconveyedmaterials.
10.2.2 Wherefiredetectionsystemsareincorporatedintopneumaticconveyingsystems,an
analysisshallbeconductedtoidentifysafeinterlockingrequirementsforairmovingdevices
andprocessoperations.
10.2.3DetectionSystems.
10.2.3.1 Wherefiredetectionsystemsareincorporatedintothepneumaticconveying
system,thefiredetectionsystemsshallbeinterlockedtoshutdownanyactivedevicefeeding
materialstothepneumaticconveyingsystemonactuationofthedetectionsystem.
10.2.3.2 Wheresparkorinfrareddetectionandextinguishingsystemsareprovided,the
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processshallbepermittedtocontinueoperatingonactivationofthedetectionsystem.
10.2.3.3 Whereasparkorinfrareddetectionsystemactuatesadivertervalvethatsends
potentiallyburningmaterialtoasafelocation,theprocessshallbepermittedtocontinue
operatingonactivationofthedetectionsystem.
10.2.4 Wheretheactuationoffireextinguishingsystemsisachievedbymeansofelectronic
firedetection,thefiredetectionsystem,includingcontrolpanels,detectors,andnotification
appliances,shallbedesigned,installed,andmaintainedinaccordancewith NFPA72,
NationalFireAlarmCode.
10.2.5 Allfiredetectioninitiatingdevicesshallbeconnectedtothefiredetectioncontrol
panelviaStyleDorEcircuitsasdescribedin NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode.
10.2.6 Allfiredetectionnotificationappliancesshallbeconnectedtothefiredetection
controlpanelviaStyleYorZcircuitsasdescribedin NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode.
10.2.7SystemReleasingDevices.
10.2.7.1 Allfireextinguishingsystemreleasingdevices,solenoids,oractuatorsshallbe
connectedtothefiredetectioncontrolpanelviaStyleZcircuitsasdescribedin NFPA72,
10.2.7.2 Thesupervisionshallincludethecontinuityoftheextinguishingsystemreleasing
device,whetherthatdeviceisasolenoidcoil,adetonator(explosivedevice)filament,or
othersuchdevice.
10.2.8 Allsupervisorydevicesthatmonitorcriticalelementsorfunctionsinthefire
detectionandextinguishingsystemshallbeconnectedtothefiredetectioncontrolpanelvia
StyleDorEcircuitsasdescribedin NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode.
10.2.9AbortGatesandAbortDampers.
10.2.9.1 Allfireprotectionabortgatesorabortdampersshallbeconnectedtothefire
detectioncontrolpanelviaStyleZcircuitsasdescribedin NFPA72,NationalFireAlarm
Code.
10.2.9.2 Thesupervisionshallincludethecontinuityoftheabortgateorabortdamper
releasingdevice,whetherthatdeviceisasolenoidcoil,adetonator(explosivedevice)
filament,orothersuchdevice.
10.3FireExtinguishers.
10.3.1 Portablefireextinguishersshallbeprovidedthroughoutallbuildingsinaccordance
withtherequirementsof NFPA10,StandardforPortableFireExtinguishers.
10.3.2* Personnelshallbetrainedtouseportablefireextinguishersinamannerthat
minimizesthegenerationofdustcloudsduringdischarge.
10.4Hose,Standpipes,andHydrants.
10.4.1 Standpipesandhose,whereprovided,shallcomplywith NFPA14,Standardforthe
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InstallationofStandpipeandHoseSystems.
10.4.2Nozzles.
10.4.2.1 PortablesprayhosenozzlesthatarelistedorapprovedforuseonClassCfires
shallbeprovidedinareasthatcontaindust,tolimitthepotentialforgeneratingunnecessary
airbornedustduringfirefightingoperations.
10.4.2.2 Straightstreamnozzlesshallnotbeusedonfiresinareaswheredustcloudscanbe
generated.
10.4.3 Privateoutsideprotection,includingoutsidehydrantsandhoses,whereprovided,
shallcomplywith NFPA13,StandardfortheInstallationofSprinklerSystems.
10.5*AutomaticSprinklers.
10.5.1* Whereaprocessthathandlescombustibleparticulatesolidsusesflammableor
combustibleliquids,adocumentedriskevaluationthatisacceptabletotheauthorityhaving
jurisdictionshallbeusedtodeterminetheneedforautomaticsprinklerprotectioninthe
enclosureinwhichtheprocessislocated.
10.5.2 Automaticsprinklers,whereprovided,shallbeinstalledinaccordancewith NFPA
13,StandardfortheInstallationofSprinklerSystems.
10.5.3 Whereautomaticsprinklersareinstalled,dustaccumulationonoverheadsurfaces
shallbeminimizedtopreventanexcessivenumberofsprinklerheadsfromopeninginthe
eventofafire.
10.6Spark/EmberDetectionandExtinguishingSystems.
Spark/emberdetectionandextinguishingsystemsshallbedesigned,installed,andmaintained
inaccordancewith NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems,andNFPA72,
10.7SpecialFireProtectionSystems.
10.7.1 Automaticextinguishingsystemsorspecialhazardextinguishingsystems,where
provided,shallbedesigned,installed,andmaintainedinaccordancewiththefollowing
standards,asapplicable:
(1) NFPA11,StandardforLow,Medium,andHighExpansionFoam
(2) NFPA12,StandardonCarbonDioxideExtinguishingSystems
(3) NFPA12A,StandardonHalon1301FireExtinguishingSystems
(4) NFPA15,StandardforWaterSprayFixedSystemsforFireProtection
(5) NFPA16,StandardfortheInstallationofFoamWaterSprinklerandFoamWater
SpraySystems
(6) NFPA17,StandardforDryChemicalExtinguishingSystems
(7) NFPA25,StandardfortheInspection,Testing,andMaintenanceofWaterBased
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FireProtectionSystems
(8) NFPA750,StandardonWaterMistFireProtectionSystems
(9) NFPA2001,StandardonCleanAgentFireExtinguishingSystems
10.7.2 Theextinguishingsystemsshallbedesignedandusedinamannerthatminimizesthe
generationofdustcloudsduringtheirdischarge.
10.8AlarmService.
Alarmservice,ifprovided,shallcomplywith NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode.
Chapter11TrainingandProcedures
11.1EmployeeTraining.
TherequirementsofSections11.2and11.3shallbeappliedretroactively.
11.2Plan.
11.2.1 Operatingandmaintenanceproceduresandemergencyplansshallbedeveloped.
11.2.2 Theplansandproceduresshallbereviewedannuallyandasrequiredbyprocess
changes.
11.3InitialandRefresherTraining.
11.3.1 Initialandrefreshertrainingshallbeprovidedtoemployeeswhoareinvolvedin
operating,maintaining,andsupervisingfacilitiesthathandlecombustibleparticulatesolids.
11.3.2 Initialandrefreshertrainingshallensurethatallemployeesareknowledgeableabout
thefollowing:
(1) Hazardsoftheirworkplace
(2) Generalorientation,includingplantsafetyrules
(3) Processdescription
(4) Equipmentoperation,safestartupandshutdown,andresponsetoupsetconditions
(5) Thenecessityforproperfunctioningofrelatedfireandexplosionprotectionsystems
(6) Equipmentmaintenancerequirementsandpractices
(7) Housekeepingrequirements
(8)* Emergencyresponseplans
11.4Certification.
TheemployershallcertifyannuallythatthetrainingandreviewrequiredbySections11.2
and11.3havebeencompleted.
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Chapter12InspectionandMaintenance
12.1GeneralRequirements.
12.1.1 Aninspection,testing,andmaintenanceprogramshallbedevelopedandimplemented
toensurethatthefireandexplosionprotectionsystemsandrelatedprocesscontrolsand
equipmentperformasdesigned.
12.1.2 Theinspection,testing,andmaintenanceprogramshallincludethefollowing:
(1) Fireandexplosionprotectionandpreventionequipmentinaccordancewiththe
applicableNFPAstandards
(2) Dustcontrolequipment
(3) Housekeeping
(4) Potentialignitionsources
(5)* Electrical,process,andmechanicalequipment,includingprocessinterlocks
(6) Processchanges
(7) Lubricationofbearings
12.1.3 Recordsshallbekeptofmaintenanceandrepairsperformed.
12.2SpecificRequirements.
12.2.1MaintenanceofMaterialFeedingDevices.
12.2.1.1 Bearingsshallbelubricatedandcheckedforexcessivewearonaperiodicbasis.
12.2.1.2 Ifthematerialhasatendencytoadheretothefeederorhousing,thecomponents
shallbecleanedperiodicallytomaintaingoodbalanceandminimizetheprobabilityof
ignition.
12.2.2MaintenanceofAirMovingDevices.
12.2.2.1 Fansandblowersshallbecheckedperiodicallyforexcessiveheatandvibration.
12.2.2.2 Maintenance,otherthanthelubricationofexternalbearings,shallnotbeperformed
onfansorblowerswhiletheunitisoperating.
12.2.2.3 Bearingsshallbelubricatedandcheckedperiodicallyforexcessivewear.
12.2.2.4* Ifthematerialhasatendencytoadheretotherotororhousing,thecomponents
shallbecleanedperiodicallytomaintaingoodbalanceandminimizetheprobabilityof
ignition.
12.2.2.5* Thesurfacesoffanhousingsandotherinteriorcomponentsshallbemaintained
freeofrust.
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12.2.2.6 Aluminumpaintshallnotbeusedoninteriorsteelsurfaces.
12.2.3MaintenanceofAirMaterialSeparators.
12.2.3.1MeanstoDislodge.
12.2.3.1.1 Airmaterialseparationdevicesthatareequippedwithameanstodislodge
particulatesfromthesurfaceoffiltermediashallbeinspectedperiodicallyasrecommended
inthemanufacturers'instructionsforsignsofwear,friction,orclogging.
12.2.3.1.2 Thesedevicesshallbeadjustedandlubricatedasrecommendedinthe
manufacturers'instructions.
12.2.3.2 Airmaterialseparatorsthatrecycleair(i.e.,cyclonesandfiltermediadust
collectors)shallbemaintainedtocomplywith 6.1.3.
12.2.3.3 Filtermediashallnotbereplacedwithanalternativetypeunlessathorough
evaluationofthefirehazardshasbeenperformed,documented,andreviewedby
management.
12.2.4MaintenanceofAbortGatesandAbortDampers.Abortgatesandabortdampers
shallbeadjustedandlubricatedasrecommendedinthemanufacturers'instructions.
12.2.5MaintenanceofFireandExplosionProtectionSystems.
12.2.5.1 Allfiredetectionequipmentmonitoringsystemsshallbemaintainedinaccordance
withtherequirementsof NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode.
12.2.5.2 Allfireextinguishingsystemsshallbemaintainedpursuanttotherequirements
establishedinthestandardthatgovernsthedesignandinstallationofthesystem.
12.2.5.3* Allventsforthereliefofpressurecausedbydeflagrationsshallbemaintained.
12.2.5.4 Allexplosionpreventionsystemsandinertingsystemsshallbemaintainedpursuant
totherequirementsof NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems.
AnnexAExplanatoryMaterial
AnnexAisnotapartoftherequirementsofthisNFPAdocumentbutisincludedfor
informationalpurposesonly.Thisannexcontainsexplanatorymaterial,numberedto
correspondwiththeapplicabletextparagraphs.
A.1.1 Examplesofindustriesthathandlecombustibleparticulatesolids,eitherasaprocess
materialorasafugitiveornuisancedust,includebutarenotlimitedtothefollowing:
(1) Agricultural,chemical,andfoodcommodities,fibers,andtextilematerials
(2) Forestandfurnitureproductsindustries
(3) Metalsprocessing
(4) Paperproducts
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(5) Pharmaceuticals
(6) Resourcerecoveryoperations(tires,municipalsolidwaste,metal,paper,orplastic
recyclingoperations)
(7) Wood,metal,orplasticfabricators
A.3.2.1Approved.TheNationalFireProtectionAssociationdoesnotapprove,inspect,or
certifyanyinstallations,procedures,equipment,ormaterialsnordoesitapproveorevaluate
testinglaboratories.Indeterminingtheacceptabilityofinstallations,procedures,equipment,
ormaterials,theauthorityhavingjurisdictionmaybaseacceptanceoncompliancewith
NFPAorotherappropriatestandards.Intheabsenceofsuchstandards,saidauthoritymay
requireevidenceofproperinstallation,procedure,oruse.Theauthorityhavingjurisdiction
mayalsorefertothelistingsorlabelingpracticesofanorganizationthatisconcernedwith
productevaluationsandisthusinapositiontodeterminecompliancewithappropriate
standardsforthecurrentproductionoflisteditems.
A.3.2.2AuthorityHavingJurisdiction(AHJ).Thephraseauthorityhavingjurisdiction,
oritsacronymAHJ,isusedinNFPAdocumentsinabroadmanner,sincejurisdictionsand
approvalagenciesvary,asdotheirresponsibilities.Wherepublicsafetyisprimary,the
authorityhavingjurisdictionmaybeafederal,state,local,orotherregionaldepartmentor
individualsuchasafirechieffiremarshalchiefofafirepreventionbureau,labor
department,orhealthdepartmentbuildingofficialelectricalinspectororothershaving
statutoryauthority.Forinsurancepurposes,aninsuranceinspectiondepartment,rating
bureau,orotherinsurancecompanyrepresentativemaybetheauthorityhavingjurisdiction.
Inmanycircumstances,thepropertyownerorhisorherdesignatedagentassumestherole
oftheauthorityhavingjurisdictionatgovernmentinstallations,thecommandingofficeror
departmentalofficialmaybetheauthorityhavingjurisdiction.
A.3.2.4Listed.Themeansforidentifyinglistedequipmentmayvaryforeachorganization
concernedwithproductevaluationsomeorganizationsdonotrecognizeequipmentaslisted
unlessitisalsolabeled.Theauthorityhavingjurisdictionshouldutilizethesystememployed
bythelistingorganizationtoidentifyalistedproduct.
A.3.3.2AirMaterialSeparator(AMS).Examplesincludecyclones,bagfilterhouses,and
electrostaticprecipitators.
A.3.3.3AirMovingDevice(AMD).Anairmovingdeviceisafan,centrifugalfan,or
mixedflowfan.Thesedeviceshavepreviouslybeencalledblowersorexhausters.
A.3.3.4CombustibleDust.Duststraditionallyhavebeendefinedasamaterial420 mor
smaller(capableofpassingthroughaU.S.No.40standardsieve).Combustibleparticulates
withaneffectivediameteroflessthan420 mshouldbedeemedtofulfillthecriterionofthe
definition.However,flatplateletshapedparticles,flakes,orparticlesoffiberswithlengths
thatarelargecomparedtotheirdiameterusuallydonotpassthrougha420 msieveyet
stillposeadeflagrationhazard.Furthermore,manyparticulatesaccumulateelectrostatic
chargeinhandling,causingthemtoattracteachother,formingagglomerates.Often
agglomeratesbehaveasiftheywerelargerparticles,yetwhentheyaredispersedthey
presentasignificanthazard.Consequently,itcanbeinferredthatanyparticlethathasa
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surfaceareatovolumeratiogreaterthanthatofa420 mdiametersphereshouldalsobe
deemedacombustibledust.
Anytimeacombustibledustisprocessedorhandled,apotentialfordeflagrationexists.The
degreeofdeflagrationhazardvaries,dependingonthetypeofcombustibledustandthe
processingmethodsused.
Adustexplosionhasthefollowingfourrequirements:
(1) Combustibledust
(2) Dustdispersioninairorotheroxidantatorexceedingtheminimumexplosible
concentration(MEC)
(3) Ignitionsourcesuchasanelectrostaticdischarge,anelectriccurrentarc,aglowing
ember,ahotsurface,weldingslag,frictionalheat,oraflame
(4) Confinement
Evaluationofthehazardofacombustibledustshouldbedeterminedbythemeansofactual
testdata.Eachsituationshouldbeevaluatedandapplicabletestsselected.Thefollowinglist
representsthefactorsthataresometimesusedindeterminingthedeflagrationhazardofa
dust:
(1) Minimumexplosibleconcentration(MEC)
(2) Minimumignitionenergy(MIE)
(3) Particlesizedistribution
(4) Moisturecontentasreceivedandastested
(5) Maximumexplosionpressureatoptimumconcentration
(6) Maximumrateofpressureriseatoptimumconcentration
(7) KSt (normalizedrateofpressurerise)asdefinedinASTME1226,TestMethodfor
PressureandRateofPressureRiseforCombustibleDusts
(8) Layerignitiontemperature
(9) Dustcloudignitiontemperature
(10) Limitingoxidantconcentration(LOC)topreventignition
(11) Electricalvolumeresistivity
(12) Chargerelaxationtime
(13) Chargeability
A.3.3.5CombustibleParticulateSolid.Combustibleparticulatesolidsincludedusts,fibers,
fines,chips,chunks,flakes,ormixturesofthese.Theterm combustibleparticulatesolid
addressestheattritionofmaterialasitmoveswithintheprocessequipment.Particleabrasion
breaksthematerialdownandproducesamixtureoflargeandsmallparticulates,someof
whichcouldbesmallenoughtobeclassifiedasdusts.Consequently,thepresenceofdusts
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shouldbeanticipatedintheprocessstream,regardlessofthestartingparticlesizeofthe
material.
A.3.3.7Deflagration.Theprimaryconcernofthisdocumentisadeflagrationthatproduces
apropagatingflamefrontorpressureincreasethatcancausepersonnelinjuriesorthe
ruptureofprocessequipmentorbuildings.Usuallythesedeflagrationsareproducedwhen
thefuelissuspendedintheoxidizingmedium.
A.3.3.13HybridMixture.Thepresenceofflammablegasesandvapors,evenat
concentrationslessthanthelowerflammablelimit(LFL)oftheflammablegasesandvapors,
addstotheviolenceofadustaircombustion.
Theresultingdustvapormixtureiscalledahybridmixtureandisdiscussedin NFPA68,
GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.Incertaincircumstances,hybridmixturescanbe
deflagrable,evenifthedustisbelowtheMECandthevaporisbelowtheLFL.Furthermore,
dustsdeterminedtobenonignitiblebyweakignitionsourcescansometimesbeignitedwhen
partofahybridmixture.
Examplesofhybridmixturesareamixtureofmethane,coaldust,andairoramixtureof
gasolinevaporandgasolinedropletsinair.
A.3.3.14.2RigidIntermediateBulkContainer(RIBC).Theseareoftencalledcomposite
IBCs,whichisthetermusedbyU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(DOT).Theterm rigid
nonmetallicintermediatebulkcontaineralsodenotesanallplasticsinglewallIBCthat
mightormightnothaveaseparateplasticbaseandforwhichthecontainmentvesselalso
servesasthesupportstructure.
A.3.3.15LowerFlammableLimit(LFL).LFLisalsoknownasminimumexplosible
concentration(MEC).
A.3.3.16MinimumExplosibleConcentration(MEC).Minimumexplosibleconcentration
isdefinedbythetestprocedureinASTME1515,StandardTestMethodforMinimum
ExplosibleConcentrationofCombustibleDusts.MECisequivalenttotheterm lower
flammablelimitforflammablegases.Becauseithasbeencustomarytolimittheuseofthe
term lowerflammablelimittoflammablevaporsandgases,analternativetermisnecessary
forcombustibledusts.
TheMECisdependentonmanyfactors,includingparticulatesizedistribution,chemistry,
moisturecontent,andshape.Consequently,designersandoperatorsofprocessesthathandle
combustibleparticulatesolidsshouldconsiderthosefactorswhenapplyingexistingMEC
data.Often,thenecessaryMECdatacanbeobtainedonlybytesting.
A.3.3.17NoncombustibleMaterial.MaterialsthatarereportedashavingpassedASTME
136,StandardTestMethodforBehaviorofMaterialsinaVerticalTubeFurnaceat750C,
shouldbeconsiderednoncombustiblematerials.Forthepurposesofthisstandard,
noncombustibleconstructionandlimitedcombustibleconstructionarebothconsideredtobe
noncombustible.
A.3.3.19PneumaticConveyingSystem.Pneumaticconveyingsystemsincludedust
collectionsystems.
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A.3.3.19.1NegativePressurePneumaticConveyingSystem.Thesesystemsconsistofa
sequenceofanairintake,amaterialfeeder,anairmaterialseparator,anairmovingdevice,
andinterconnectingducts.
A.3.3.19.2PositivePressurePneumaticConveyingSystem.Suchsystemsconsistofa
sequenceofanairmovingdevice,afeederforintroducingmaterialsintothesystem,an
airmaterialseparator,andinterconnectingducts.
A.3.3.27WaterCompatible.Thesematerialsincludemanyofthecellulosicssuchaswood
waste,paperdust,textilefibers,bulkagriculturalproducts,municipalsolidwaste(MSW),
refusederivedfuel(RDF),andotherorganicmaterials,includingcoalandsomeplastic
resins.Watersprayextinguishmentcanbeusedforthesematerialswhentheyarehandledin
systemsinwhichtheprocessequipmentisalsowatercompatible.
A.3.3.28WaterIncompatible.Waterincompatiblematerialsaretypifiedbythosethat
dissolveinwaterorformmixtureswithwaterthatarenolongerprocessable,forexample,
sugar.Althoughwaterisaneffectiveextinguishingagentforsugarfires,thesugardissolves
inthewater,resultinginasyrupthatcannolongerbeprocessedpneumatically.Asimilar
situationexistswithflourwhenmixedwithwater,itbecomesdough.Thesematerialsare
candidatesforextinguishingsystemsthatusemediaotherthanwateruntilthedamage
potentialofthefireapproachesthereplacementcostoftheprocessequipment.Thenwateris
usedtoprotectthestructure.
A.3.3.29WaterReactive.Waterreactivematerialsrepresentaveryspecialfireprotection
problem.Theapplicationofwaterfromfixedwaterbasedextinguishingsystemsorbythe
fireservicewithoutawarenessofthepresenceofthesematerialscouldseriouslyexacerbate
thethreattohumanlifeorproperty.Forexample,manychemicalsformstrongacidsorbases
whenmixedwithwater,thusintroducingachemicalburnhazard.Additionally,mostmetals
inthepowderedstatecanburnwithsufficientheattochemicallyreducewateryielding
hydrogen,whichcanthensupportadeflagration.
Thesetypesofmaterialsshouldbehandledverycarefully.Smallquantitiesofwaterusually
makemattersworse.
A.4.1.2 Thedesignbasisgenerallyincludes,butisnotlimitedto,thegeneralscopeofwork,
designcriteria,processdescription,materialflowdiagrams,basisfordeflagrationprotection,
basisforfireprotectionsystems,andthephysicalandchemicalpropertiesoftheprocess
materials.Thedesigngenerallyincludes,butisnotlimitedto,equipmentlayouts,detailed
mechanicaldrawings,specifications,supportingengineeringcalculations,andprocessand
instrumentationdiagrams.
A.4.2.1 Onemethodbywhichthisrequirementcanbesatisfiediswithaprocesshazard
analysisconductedinaccordancewiththemethodsoutlinedbytheAIChECenterfor
ChemicalProcessSafetyin GuidelinesforHazardEvaluationProcedures.
A.4.4 Thedesignofthepneumaticconveyingsystemshouldbecoordinatedwiththe
architecturalandstructuraldesigns.Theplansandspecificationsshouldincludealistofall
equipment,specifyingthemanufacturerandtypenumber,andtheinformationasshownin
A.4.4(1)through A.4.4(8).Plansshouldbedrawntoanindicatedscaleandshowallessential
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detailsastolocation,construction,ventilationductwork,volumeofoutsideairatstandard
temperatureandpressurethatisintroducedforsafetyventilation,andcontrolwiring
diagrams.
(1) Nameofownerandoccupant
(2) Location,includingstreetaddress
(3) Pointofcompass
(4) Ceilingconstruction
(5) Fullheightcrosssection
(6) Locationoffirewalls
(7) Locationofpartitions
(8) Materialsofconstruction
A.4.5.3 Otherstakeholderscouldalsohavemissioncontinuitygoalsthatwillnecessitate
morestringentobjectivesaswellasmorespecificanddemandingperformancecriteria.The
protectionofpropertybeyondmaintainingstructuralintegritylongenough toescapeis
actuallyamissioncontinuityobjective.Themissioncontinuityobjectiveencompassesthe
survivalofbothrealproperty,suchasthebuilding,andtheproductionequipmentand
inventorybeyondtheextinguishmentofthefire.Traditionally,propertyprotectionobjectives
haveaddressedtheimpactofthefireonstructuralelementsofabuildingaswellasthe
equipmentandcontentsinsideabuilding.Missioncontinuityisconcernedwiththeabilityof
astructuretoperformitsintendedfunctionsandwithhowthataffectsthestructure'stenants.
Itoftenaddressespostfiresmokecontamination,cleanup,replacementofdamaged
equipmentorrawmaterials,andsoforth.
A.4.5.4.1 Adjacentcompartmentsarethosesharingacommonenclosuresurface(wall,
ceiling,floor)withthecompartmentoffireorexplosionorigin.Theintentistopreventthe
collapseofthestructureduringthefireorexplosion.
A.4.6 Usuallyafacilityorprocesssystemisdesignedusingtheprescriptivecriteriauntila
prescribedsolutionisfoundtobeunfeasibleorimpracticable.Thenthedesignercanusethe
performancebasedoptiontodevelopadesign,addressingthefull rangeoffireandexplosion
scenariosandtheimpactonotherprescribeddesignfeatures.Consequently,facilitiesare
usuallydesignednotbyusingperformancebaseddesignmethodsforallfacetsofthefacility
butratherbyusingamixtureofbothdesignapproachesasneeded.
A.5.1.3 Chapter5of NFPA 101,LifeSafetyCode,providesamorecompletedescriptionof
theperformancebaseddesignprocessandrequirements.Inaddition,theSFPEEngineering
GuidetoPerformanceBasedFireProtectionAnalysisandDesignofBuildingsoutlinesa
processfordeveloping,evaluating,anddocumentingperformancebaseddesigns.
A.5.1.4 Relevantaspectsthatcouldrequireareevaluationinclude,butarenotlimitedto,
changestothefollowing:
(1) Informationaboutthehazardouscharacteristicsofthematerials
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(2) Informationabouttheperformancecapabilitiesofprotectivesystems
(3) Heretoforeunrecognizedhazards
Intentionalchangestoprocessmaterials,technology,equipment,procedures,andfacilities
arecontrolledbySection 4.3.
A.5.2.5(3) Deflagrationventoperationdoesnotconstituteruptureoftheequipment.
A.5.3 TheprocesshazardanalysisconductedaccordingtotherequirementinSection 4.2
mightbeusefulinidentifyingthescenariosforSection 5.3.
ThefireandexplosionscenariosdefinedinSection 5.3assumethepresenceofanignition
source,eventhosescenarioslimitedbyadministrativecontrols(suchasahotworkpermit
program).Itistheresponsibilityofthedesignprofessionaltodocumentanyscenariothathas
beenexcludedonthebasisoftheabsenceofanignitionsource.
A.5.4.1 TheSFPEEngineeringGuidetoPerformanceBasedFireProtectionAnalysisand
DesignofBuildingsoutlinesaprocessforevaluatingwhethertrialdesignsmeetthe
performancecriteria.
A.6.1.1 Thedesignofthepneumaticconveyingsystemshouldbecoordinatedwiththe
architecturalandstructuraldesigns.Theplansandspecificationsshouldincludealistofall
equipment,specifyingthemanufacturerandtypenumber,andthefollowinginformation:
(1) Nameofownerandoccupant
(2) Location,includingstreetaddress
(3) Pointofcompass
(4) Ceilingconstruction
(5) Fullheightcrosssection
(6) Locationoffirewalls
(7) Locationofpartitions
(8) Materialsofconstruction
Plansshouldbedrawntoanindicatedscaleandshowallessentialdetailsastolocation,
construction,ventilationductwork,volumeofoutsideairatstandardtemperatureand
pressurethatisintroducedforsafetyventilation,andcontrolwiringdiagrams.
A.6.1.3.2 OSHAhasestablishedlimitsonoxygenconcentrationintheworkplace.
Permissiblelimitsrangefromnolowerthan19.5percentbyvolumetonohigherthan23.5
percentbyvolumeinair.SeeTitle29,CodeofFederalRegulations,Part1910.146.
A.6.1.5 Exceptforinertedsystems,itispreferabletodesignsystemsthathandle
combustibleparticulatesolidstooperateundernegativepressure.
A.6.2.3.1 Arelativelysmallinitialdustdeflagrationcandisturbandsuspendinairdustthat
hasbeenallowedtoaccumulateontheflatsurfacesofabuildingorequipment.Suchadust
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cloudprovidesfuelforthesecondarydeflagration,whichcancausedamage.Reducing
significantadditionaldustaccumulationsisthereforeamajorfactorinreducingthehazardin
areaswhereadusthazardcanexist.(SeeAnnexD.)
A.6.3.3 Windowledges,girders,beams,andotherhorizontalprojectionsorsurfacescan
havethetopssharplysloped,orotherprovisionscanbemadetominimizethedepositofdust
thereon.OverheadsteelIbeamsandsimilarstructuralshapescanbeboxedwithconcreteor
othernoncombustiblematerialtoeliminatesurfacesfordustaccumulation.Surfacesshould
beassmoothaspossibletominimizedustaccumulationsandtofacilitatecleaning.
A.6.3.10 Theuseofloadbearingwallsshouldbeavoidedtopreventstructuralcollapse
shouldanexplosionoccur.
A.6.4 Thedesignofdeflagrationventingshouldbebasedoninformationcontainedin NFPA
68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.
A.6.4.1 Theneedforbuildingdeflagrationventingisafunctionofequipmentdesign,
particlesize,deflagrationcharacteristicsofthedust,andhousekeepingrequirements.Asa
rule,deflagrationventingisrecommendedunlesstherecanbereasonableassurancethat
hazardousquantitiesofcombustibleanddispersibledustswillnotbepermittedtoaccumulate
outsideofequipment.
Wherebuildingexplosionventingisneeded,detachingtheoperationtoanopenstructureor
toabuildingofdamagelimitingconstructionisthepreferredmethodofprotection.
Damagelimitingconstructioninvolvesaroomorbuildingthatisdesignedsuch thatcertain
interiorwallsarepressureresistant(canwithstandthepressureofthedeflagration)toprotect
theoccupancyontheothersideandsomeexteriorwallareasarepressurerelievingto
providedeflagrationventing.Itispreferabletomakemaximumuseofexteriorwallsas
pressurerelievingwalls(aswellastheroofwhereverpractical),ratherthantoprovidethe
minimumrecommended.Furtherinformationonthissubjectcanbefoundin NFPA68,
GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.
Deflagrationventclosuresshouldbedesignedsuchthat,onceopened,theyremainopento
preventfailurefromthevacuumfollowingthepressurewave.
A.6.4.2 Forfurtherinformationonrestrainingventclosuresandfireballimpingementareas,
seeNFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.
A.6.5 Highmomentumdischargesfromreliefvalveswithinbuildingscandisturbdustlayers,
creatingcombustiblecloudsofdust.
A.6.6.2 RefertoNFPA499,RecommendedPracticefortheClassificationofCombustible
DustsandofHazardous(Classified)LocationsforElectricalInstallationsinChemical
ProcessAreas.SeeTableA.6.6.2.
TableA.6.6.2GuidanceforAreaElectricalClassification
DepthofDust
Accumulation(in.) Frequency HousekeepingRequirement
Negligiblea N/A N/A
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TableA.6.6.2GuidanceforAreaElectricalClassification
DepthofDust
Accumulation(in.) Frequency HousekeepingRequirement
b c Cleanupduringsameshift.
Negligibleto< Infrequent
b
Negligibleto< Continuous/frequentd Cleanasnecessarytomaintainanaverage
accumulationbelow
c Cleanupduringsameshift.
to Infrequent
to Continuous/frequentd Cleanasnecessarytomaintainanaverage
accumulationbelow
c Immediatelyshutdownandclean.
> Infrequent
> Continuous/frequentd Cleanatfrequencyappropriatetominimize
accumulation.
Note:ForSIunits,1in.=25.4mm.
a Surfacecolorjustdiscernibleunderthedustlayer.
b in.isapproximatelythethicknessofatypicalpaperclip.
cEpisodicreleaseofdustoccurringnotmorethanabouttwoorthreetimesperyear.
dEpisodicreleaseofdustoccurringmorethanaboutthreetimesperyearorcontinuousreleaseresultinginstatedaccumulati
period.
eIthasbeenobservedthatathicknessofabout in.ofalowdensitydustissufficienttoyieldasmallpuffycloudwitheac
fForexample,NationalElectricalManufacturersAssociation(NEMA)12orbetter.Note:Ordinaryequipmentthatisnothe
significantlysealedagainstdustpenetrationbytheuseofsiliconetypecaulking.Thiscanbeconsideredinareaswherefugi
accumulateoveralongperiodoftime.
gGuidancetobeappliedforexistingfacilities.Fornewfacilities,itisrecommendedthattheelectricalclassificationbeatlea
A.7.1 Thefollowingitemsdescribeareasofconcernduringthedesignandinstallationof
processequipment:
(1) Theeliminationoffrictionbyuseofdetectorsforslippingbelts,temperature
supervisionofmovingorimpactedsurfaces,andsoforth
(2) Pressureresistanceormaximumpressurecontainmentcapabilityand
pressurerelievingcapabilitiesofthemachineryorprocessequipmentandofthe
buildingorroom
(3) Theproperclassificationofelectricalequipmentfortheareaandcondition
(4) Properalignmentandmountingtominimizeoreliminatevibrationandoverheated
bearings
(5) Theuseofelectricallyconductivebelting,lowspeedbelts,andshortcenterdrivesas
ameansofreducingstaticelectricityaccumulation (SeeSection9.3.)
(6) Powertransmittedbybelt,chain,orshaftasfollows:
(a) Forpowertransmittedtoapparatuswithintheprocessingroombybeltorchain,
anearlydusttightenclosureofthebeltorchainconstructedofsubstantial
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noncombustiblematerialthatshouldbemaintainedunderpositiveairpressure
(b) Forpowertransmittedbymeansofshafts,shaftsthatpassthroughclosefitting
shaftholesinwallsorpartitions
A.7.1.1 Ameanstodetermineprotectionrequirementsshouldbebasedonariskevaluation,
withconsiderationgiventothesizeoftheequipment,consequencesoffireorexplosion,
combustiblepropertiesandignitionsensitivityofthematerial,combustibleconcentration,
andrecognizedpotentialignitionsources.SeeAIChECenterforChemicalProcessSafety,
GuidelinesforHazardEvaluationProcedures.
A.7.1.2.1(1)(b) Themaximumallowableconcentrationofoxygenisverydependentonthe
material,itschemicalcomposition,and,inthecaseofparticulatesolids,theparticlesizes.In
addition,withmanycombustiblemetals,itisnotadvisabletocompletelyeliminateoxygen
fromthetransportgas.Duringtransport,particlescanbeabradedandbroken,exposing
unoxidizedmetal(virginmetal)tothetransportgas.Whenthatmetalisfinallyexposedto
oxygencontainingair,therapidoxidationofthevirginmetalcouldproducesufficientheatto
ignitethematerial.Itis,therefore,preferabletoprovideforalowconcentrationofoxygenin
thetransportgasstreamtoensuretheoxidationofvirginmetalasitisexposedduringthe
courseoftransport.
A.7.1.2.1(2) Wheredeflagrationventingisused,itsdesignshouldbebasedoninformation
containedin NFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.Fordeflagrationreliefventing
throughducts,considerationshouldbegiventothereductionindeflagrationventing
efficiencycausedbytheducts.Thereliefductshouldberestrictedtonomorethan20ft(6
m).
A.7.1.2.1(5) Thismethodislimitedineffectivenessduetothehighconcentrationsofinert
materialrequiredandthepotentialforseparationduringhandling.Othermethodsare
preferred.
A.7.1.2.1(6) Forinformationondustretentionandflamearrestingdevices,seeNFPA68,
GuideforVentingofDeflagrations,Section9.7.
A.7.1.4 Methodsofexplosionprotectionusingcontainment,venting,andsuppression
protectthespecificprocessequipmentonwhichtheyareinstalled.Fordetailson
deflagrationpropagation,seeAnnex E.
A.7.1.4.2(1) FigureA.7.1.4.2(1)illustratestwodifferentdesignsofchokes.
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FIGUREA.7.1.4.2(1)ScrewConveyorChokes.
A.7.1.4.2(2) Whenrotaryvalvesareinstalledinboththeinletandtheoutletofequipment,
careshouldbetakentoensurethattherotaryvalveontheinletisstoppedbeforetheunit
becomesoverfilled.SeeFigureA.7.1.4.2(2).
FIGUREA.7.1.4.2(2)RotaryValves.
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A.7.1.4.2(3) FigureA.7.1.4.2(3)illustratesanexampleofdeflagrationpropagationusing
mechanicalisolation.
FIGUREA.7.1.4.2(3)DeflagrationPropagationUsingMechanicalIsolation.
flamefrontdiversion.
FIGUREA.7.1.4.2(4)DeflagrationPropagationUsingFlameFrontDiversion.
chemicalisolation.
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FIGUREA.7.1.4.2(5)DeflagrationPropagationUsingChemicalIsolation.
A.7.1.4.4 SeeA.7.1.1foranexplanationoftheconsiderationsinadocumentedrisk
evaluation.
A.7.1.5 Exposuresofconcerninclude,butarenotlimitedto,baggingoperationsand
handdumpingoperationswherethedischargeofafireballfromthepickuppointendangers
personnel.
A.7.2.1.2 Shippingcontainerscanposeadeflagrationhazardhowever,deflagration
protectionmeasuresfortheseunitsarenotalwayspractical.Considerationshouldbegiven
todeflagrationhazardswhenelectingtoomitdeflagrationprotection.
A.7.2.3.2.2(2) Whereexplosionventingisused,itsdesignshouldbebasedoninformation
containedin NFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.Forexplosionreliefventing
throughducts,considerationshouldbegiventothereductioninexplosionventingefficiency
causedbytheducts.Theductsshouldbedesignedwithacrosssectionalareaatleastas
largeasthevent.Theyshouldbestructurallyasstrongastheenclosurebeingvented.
Becauseanybendscauseincreasesinthepressuredevelopedduringventing,ventducts
shouldbeasstraightaspossible.Ifbendsareunavoidable,theyshouldbeasshallowangled
(i.e.,haveaslongaradius)asispracticable.
A.7.2.3.2.2(3) Smallcontainerscanposeanexplosionhazardhowever,explosion
protectionmeasuresfortheseunitsarenotalwayspracticable.Considerationshouldbegiven
toexplosionhazardswhenelectingtoomitprotection.
A.7.2.3.3.3 SeeA.7.2.3.2.2(3).
A.7.2.4 Horizontalprojectionscanhavethetopssharplyslopedtominimizethedepositof
dustthereon.Effortsshouldbemadetominimizetheamountofsurfaceswheredustcan
accumulate.
A.7.2.5 Forinformationondesigningdeflagrationventing,seeNFPA68,GuideforVenting
ofDeflagrations.
A.7.3.1.1 Foradditionalinformation,seeASTME2012,StandardGuideforthe
PreparationofaBinaryChemicalCompatibilityChart.
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A.7.3.2.4 Forguidanceondeterminingairvolumeandairvelocity,refertoIndustrial
VentilationaManualofRecommendedPractice,publishedbytheAmericanConference
ofGovernmentalIndustrialHygienists(ACGIH).
A.7.3.3.2 Somechemicalandplasticdustsreleaseresidualflammablevaporssuchas
residualsolvents,monomers,orresinadditives.Thesevaporscanbereleasedfromthe
materialduringhandlingorstorage.Designofthesystemshouldbebasedonaminimum
airflowsufficienttokeeptheconcentrationoftheparticularflammablevaporintheairstream
below25percentoftheLFLofthevapor.
A.7.4.1.1 Whetherametallicparticulatereactswithwaterdependsonparticlesize,chemical
purityoftheparticulate,oxygenconcentration,andcombustiontemperature.Consequently,
anengineeringanalysisshouldbeperformedpriortoselectinganextinguishmentstrategy.In
somecases,arapidlydischargedhighvolumewaterspraysystemhasbeenshowntobe
effective,duetotherapidabsorptionofheat.
Metalscommonlyencounteredinacombustibleformincludecadmium,chromium,cobalt,
copper,hafnium,iron,lead,manganese,molybdenum,nickel,niobium,palladium,silver,
tantalum,vanadium,andzinc.Althoughthesemetalsaregenerallyconsideredless
combustiblethanthealkalimetals(aluminum,magnesium,titanium,andzirconium),they
shouldbehandledwithcarewhentheyareinfinelydividedform.
Inmanycases,waterisanacceptableextinguishingagentifusedproperly.Manyinfrared
spark/emberdetectorsarecapableofdetectingburningparticlesofthesemetals.
Consequently,thesemetalparticulatescanoftenbetreatedascombustibleparticulatesolids
withouttheextremelyhazardousnatureofthealkalimetals.
A.7.6.4 Wheneveraductsizechanges,thecrosssectionalareachangesaswell.Thischange
inareacausesachangeinairvelocityintheregionofthechange,introducingturbulence
effects.Thenetresultisthatatransitionwithanincludedangleof morethan30degrees
representsachokewhenthedirectionofflowisfromlargetosmallandresultsinlocalized
heatingandstaticelectricchargeaccumulation.Whenthetransitionisfromsmalltolarge,
theairvelocitydropatthetransitionisusuallyenoughtocauseproductaccumulationatthe
transitionandtheexistenceofavolumewheretheconcentrationofcombustibleisabovethe
MEC.Itisstronglydesirabletoavoidbothsituations.
A.7.6.5 Isolationdevicesinaccordancewith 7.1.4areprovidedtopreventdeflagration
propagationbetweenconnectedequipment.Accordingto7.1.4,additionalprotectionis
indicatedwhentheintegrityofaphysicalbarriercouldbebreachedthroughductworkfailure
causedbyadeflagrationoutsidetheequipment.Insomecases,asingleequipmentisolation
devicecanprovideprotectioninbothscenariosifthatisolationdeviceisinstalledatthe
physicalbarrier.Inothercases,thisconcerncanbeaddressedbystrengtheningtheductand
supportstoprecludefailure.
A.7.8.2 Forinformationondeflagrationpressurerelief,seeA.7.1.2.1(2).
A.7.10 Itisrecommendedthatbucketelevatorsbelocatedoutsideofbuildingswherever
practicable.Althoughexplosionprotectionforbucketelevatorsisrequiredin 7.10.1,an
additionaldegreeofprotectiontobuildingoccupantsandcontentsisprovidedbylocating
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thebucketelevatoroutsideofthebuilding.
A.7.10.1 Deflagrationventsonbucketelevatorsshouldbedistributedalongthecasingside
inpairs,oppositeeachother,nexttotheendsofthebuckets.Eachdeflagrationventshould
beaminimumoftwothirdsofthecrosssectionalareaofthelegcasing,andthevents
shouldbelocatedapproximately20ft(6m)apart.Ventclosuresshouldbedesignedtoopen
ataninternalgaugepressureof0.5psito1.0psi(3.4kPato6.9kPa).Ventclosuredevices
shouldbesecuredtoeliminatethepossibilityof theclosuresbecomingmissiles.Vent
materialsshouldbeoflightweightconstructionandmeettheguidelinesgivenin NFPA68,
GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.
Bucketelevatorheadsectionsarerecommendedtohave5ft2 (0.5m2)ofventareaforeach
100ft3 (2.8m3)ofheadsectionvolume.
Ventsshouldnotbedirectedatworkplatforms,buildingopenings,orotherpotentially
occupiedareas.
Forbucketelevatorsinsidebuildings,ventductsshouldbedesignedwithacrosssectional
areaatleastaslargeasthevent,shouldbestructurallyasstrongasthebucketelevator
casing,andshouldbelimitedinlengthto10ft(3m).Sinceanybendscauseincreasesinthe
pressuredevelopedduringventing,ventductsshouldbeasstraightaspossible.Ifbendsare
unavoidable,theyshouldbeasshallowangled(i.e.,haveaslongaradius)aspracticable.
A.7.10.4.1 Methodsbywhichthiscutoffcanbeachievedincludesensingovercurrenttothe
drivemotororhighmotortemperature.
A.7.10.5.2 Whereconductivebucketsareusedonnonconductivebelts,bondingand
groundingshouldbeconsideredtoreducethehazardsofstaticelectricityaccumulation.See
NFPA77,RecommendedPracticeonStaticElectricity,formoreinformation.
A.7.10.7 Whereitisdesiredtopreventpropagationofanexplosionfromtheelevatorlegto
anotherpartofthefacility,anexplosionisolationsystemshouldbeprovidedatthehead,
boot,orbothlocations.
A.7.10.8.1 Themotorselectedshouldnotbelargerthanthesmalleststandardmotor
capableofmeetingthisrequirement.
A.7.11 Explosionprotectionshouldbeprovidedwhentheriskissignificant.Where
coveringsareprovidedoncleanout,inspection,orotheropenings,theyshouldbedesigned
towithstandtheexpecteddeflagrationpressure.(See7.1.2.)
A.7.11.2.1 Methodsbywhichthisshutoffcanbeachievedincludesensingovercurrentto
thedrivemotororhighmotortemperature.
A.7.12.2.2 Somesystemsaredesignedtooperateatsolidsconcentrationsthatposenofire
ordeflagrationrisk.Suchsystemsincludenuisancedustexhaustsystemsandthe
downstreamsideofthelastairmaterialseparatorinthepneumaticconveyingsystem.
Athresholdconcentrationlimitof1percentoftheMEChasbeenconservativelysetto
discriminatebetweensuchsystemsandothersystemsdesignedtooperateatasignificant
combustiblesolidloading.Thislimitensuresthatnormalvariationsinprocessingconditions
donotresultinthecombustibleparticulateorhybridmixtureconcentrationapproachingthe
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MEC.
Wheresignificantdeparturesfromnormalconditions,suchasequipmentfailure,couldresult
inacombustibleconcentrationapproachingorexceedingtheMEC,additionalprotection
shouldbeconsideredwheretheriskissignificant.Suchprotectioncouldincludeoneofthe
following:
(1) Secondaryfiltration(e.g.,highefficiencycartridgefilter)betweenthelast
airmaterialseparatorandtheairmovingdevice
(2) Bagfilterfailuredetectioninterlockedtoshutdowntheairmovingdevice
A.7.12.2.3 Thesesystemsincludepneumaticconveyingsystemsthatrequirerelay(booster)
fansandproductdryerswherethefanisanintegralpartofthedryer.
A.7.13.1.1.2 Wheredeflagrationventingisused,itsdesignshouldbebasedoninformation
containedin NFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.Fordeflagrationreliefventing
throughducts,considerationshouldbegiventothereductionindeflagrationventing
efficiencycausedbytheducts.Theductsshouldbedesignedwithacrosssectionalareaat
leastaslargeasthevent,shouldbestructurallyasstrongasthedustcollector,andshouldbe
limitedinlength.Becauseanybendscauseincreasesinthepressurethatdevelopsduring
venting,ventductsshouldbeasstraightaspossible.Ifbendsareunavoidable,theyshouldbe
asshallowangled(i.e.,haveaslongaradius)aspracticable.
A.7.13.1.5 Fordesignrequirementsforfastactingdampersandvalves,flamefront
diverters,andflamefrontextinguishingsystems,seeNFPA69,StandardonExplosion
PreventionSystems.
A.7.13.2.3.5 SeeNFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations.
A.7.14 Abortgatescannotbereliedupontomanagedeflagrations.SeealsoAnnex C.
A.7.15 Sizereductionmachineryincludesequipmentsuchasmills,grinders,andpulverizers.
A.7.16 Particleseparationdevicesincludescreens,sieves,aspirators,pneumaticseparators,
sifters,andsimilardevices.
A.7.16.3 Forinformationondesigningdeflagrationventing,seeNFPA68,Guidefor
VentingofDeflagrations.
A.7.16.3.2 Asapracticalmatter,screensaredifficulttoprotectagainstexplosionby
deflagrationventingorinerting.Therefore,itisimportantthatscreensbeisolatedfromthe
fireandexplosionhazardsoftheremainderoftheprocessandbeadequatelyprotected
againstelectrostaticignitionsources.Protectionshouldbeaccomplishedbybondingand
groundingofallconductivecomponents.
A.7.18 Dryersincludetray,drum,rotary,fluidizedbed,pneumatic,spray,ring,andvacuum
types.Dryersandtheiroperatingcontrolsshouldbedesigned,constructed,installed,and
monitoredsothatrequiredconditionsofsafetyforoperationoftheairheater,thedryer,and
theventilationequipmentaremaintained.
A.7.18.9 Themaximumsafeoperatingtemperatureofadryerisafunctionofthe
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timetemperatureignitioncharacteristicsoftheparticulatesolidbeingdriedaswellasofthe
dryertype.Forshorttimeexposuresofthematerialtotheheatingzone,theoperating
temperaturesofthedryercanapproachthedustcloudignitiontemperature.
However,ifparticulatesolidsaccumulateonthedryersurfaces,theoperatingtemperature
shouldbemaintainedbelowthedustlayerignitiontemperature.Thedustlayerignition
temperatureisafunctionoftime,temperature,andthethicknessofthelayer.Itcanbe
severalhundreddegreesbelowthedustcloudignitiontemperature.Theoperating
temperaturelimitofthedryershouldbebasedonanengineeringevaluation,takinginto
considerationtheprecedingfactors.
ThedustcloudignitiontemperaturecanbedeterminedbythemethodreferencedinU.S.
BureauofMinesRI8798,ThermalandElectricalIgnitabilityofDusts(modified
GodbertGreenwaldfurnace,BAMfurnace,orothermethods).Thedustlayerignition
temperaturecanbedeterminedbytheU.S.BureauofMinestestproceduregiveninLazzara
andMiron,HotSurfaceIgnitionTemperaturesofDustLayers.
A.8.2.1 SeeA.6.2.3.1.
A.8.2.2 FactoryMutualrecommendsthatsurfacesshouldbecleanedfrequentlyenoughto
preventhazardousaccumulations(FMDataSheet776,OperationsandMaintenance,
2.3.5).
A.9.1.1.3 Specificattentionshouldbepaidtocombustibleparticulatesolidswheretheyare
introducedintotheprocessstream.Somesourcesofparticulatecouldincludestone,tramp
iron,othermetalliccontaminants,andalreadyburningmaterial.Beforeariskmanagement
strategyisadopted,boththeparticulateandtheprocessequipmenthavetobecarefully
evaluated.
SeeFigureA.9.1.1.3(a)andFigureA.9.1.1.3(b)forexamplesofforeignmaterialremoval.
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FIGUREA.9.1.1.3(a)PneumaticSeparator.
FIGUREA.9.1.1.3(b)MagneticSeparator.
A.9.1.2 Iftheparticulateparticlesizerangeincludesduststhatcanattainconcentrations
capableofpropagatingaflamefrontthroughafuelairmixture,theriskmanagementoptions
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in 9.1.2areappropriate.Conversely,iftheanalysisindicatesthattheparticlesizeand
concentrationdonotpredictapropagatingflamefrontthroughthefuelairmixture,thefire
protectionmethodsinChapter10shouldbeconsidered.
A.9.1.3 Transmissionofpowerbydirectdriveshouldbeused,wherepossible,inpreference
tobeltorchaindrives.
A.9.1.4 Considerationshouldbegiventothepotentialforoverheatingcausedbydustentry
intobearings.Bearingsshouldbelocatedoutsidethecombustibleduststream,wherethey
arelessexposedtodustandmoreaccessibleforinspectionandservice.Wherebearingsare
incontactwiththeparticulatesolidsstream,sealedorpurgedbearingsarepreferred.
A.9.3 SeeNFPA77,RecommendedPracticeonStaticElectricity,forinformationonthis
subject.
A.9.3.1 Bondingminimizesthepotentialdifferencebetweenconductiveobjects.Grounding
minimizesthepotentialdifferencebetweenobjectsandground.
A.9.3.3.1 Forfurtherinformationregardingthehazardsandusesofflexibleandrigid
intermediatebulkcontainers,seethefollowingpublications:
(1) NFPA77,RecommendedPracticeonStaticElectricity,Section9.1
(2) Britton,AvoidingStaticIgnitionHazardsinChemicalOperations,pp.199204
A.9.3.3.1(2) MIEismeasuredinaccordancewithASTME2019,StandardTestMethodfor
MinimumIgnitionEnergyofaDustCloudinAir.
A.9.3.3.1(3) SuitabilityofTypeCFIBCsforspecificatmospheresshouldbedeterminedby
theFIBCmanufacturer(s).FailuretoprovidegroundingforaTypeCFIBCcancreatea
potentialstaticdischargehazardgreaterthanthatcreatedbyusingTypeAorTypeBFIBCs.
A.9.3.3.1(4) SuitabilityofTypeDFIBCsforspecificatmospheresshouldbedeterminedby
theFIBCmanufacturer(s).
A.9.3.3.1(5) Forexample,emptyingvelocitiesareslowenoughtopreventelectrostatic
accumulation,MIEsaresufficientlyhightoprecludeelectrostaticignition,orelectrostatic
chargegenerationissufficientlylow.
A.9.3.3.2 Certainfabricsthatposesignificantlylessriskofignitioninflammable
atmosphereshavebeendevelopedforuseinFIBCs.Onesuchfabricthathasbeentestedfor
useinatmosphereshavingaminimumignitionenergyof0.25mJorgreaterandthathasbeen
usedinFIBCsisdocumentedinthepaperforAIChEpresentedbyEbadatandMulligan,
TestingtheSuitabilityofFIBCsforUseinFlammableAtmospheres.
A.9.6.1 Heatingbyindirectmeansislesshazardousthanbydirectmeansandistherefore
preferred.Improvedprotectioncanbeprovidedfordirectfireddryersbyprovidingan
approvedautomaticsparkdetectionandextinguishingsystem.
A.9.7 Theignitiontemperatureofalayerofdustonhotsurfacescoulddecreaseovertimeif
thedustdehydratesorcarbonizes.Forthatreason,thehotsurfacesshouldnotexceedthe
loweroftheignitiontemperatureor329F(165C).Theignitiontemperaturesformany
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materialsareshownin NFPA499,RecommendedPracticefortheClassificationof
CombustibleDustsandofHazardous(Classified)LocationsforElectricalInstallationsin
ChemicalProcessAreas.
A.10.2.1 Pneumaticconveyingsystemsthatmovecombustibleparticulatesolidscanbe
classifiedaswatercompatible,waterincompatible,orwaterreactive.Inasmuchaswateris
universallythemosteffective,mostavailable,andmosteconomicalextinguishingmedium,it
ishelpfultocategorizecombustibleparticulatesolidsinrelationtotheapplicabilityofwater
astheagentofchoice.Fordetailsonuseofwaterasanextinguishingagent,seeAnnex F.
A.10.3.2 Extremecareshouldbeemployedintheuseofportablefireextinguishersin
facilitieswherecombustibledustsarepresent.Therapidflowoftheextinguishingagent
acrossoragainstaccumulationsofdustcanproduceadustcloud.Whenadustcloudis
produced,thereisalwaysadeflagrationhazard.Inthecaseofadustcloudproducedasa
resultoffirefighting,theignitionofthedustcloudandaresultingdeflagrationarevirtually
certain.
Consequently,whenportablefireextinguishersareusedinareasthatcontainaccumulated
combustibledusts(refertoA.6.2.3.1),theextinguishingagentshouldbeappliedinamanner
thatdoesnotdisturbordisperseaccumulateddust.Generally,fireextinguishersaredesigned
tomaximizethedeliveryrateoftheextinguishingagenttothefire.Specialtechniquesoffire
extinguisheruseshouldbeemployedtopreventthisinherentdesigncharacteristicofthefire
extinguisherfromproducinganunintendeddeflagrationhazard.
A.10.5 Automaticsprinklerprotectionindustcollectors,silos,andbucketelevatorsshould
beconsidered.Considerationsshouldincludethecombustibilityoftheequipment,the
combustibilityofthematerial,andtheamountofmaterialpresent.
A.10.5.1 Ariskevaluationshouldconsiderthepresenceofcombustiblesbothinthe
equipmentandintheareaaroundtheprocess.Considerationsshouldincludethe
combustibilityofthebuildingconstruction,theequipment,thequantityandcombustibility of
processmaterials,thecombustibilityofpackagingmaterials,opencontainersofflammable
liquids,andthepresenceofdusts.Automaticsprinklerprotectionindustcollectors,silos,
andbucketelevatorsshouldbeconsidered.
A.11.3.2(8) Allplantpersonnel,includingmanagement,supervisors,andmaintenanceand
operatingpersonnel,shouldbetrainedtoparticipateinplansforcontrollingplant
emergencies.Trainedplantfiresquadsorfirebrigadesshouldbemaintained.
Theemergencyplanshouldcontainthefollowingelements:
(1) Asignaloralarmsystem
(2) Identificationofmeansofegress
(3) Minimizationofeffectsonoperatingpersonnelandthecommunity
(4) Minimizationofpropertyandequipmentlosses
(5) Interdepartmentalandinterplantcooperation
(6) Cooperationofoutsideagencies
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(7) Thereleaseofaccurateinformationtothepublic
Emergencydrillsshouldbeperformedannuallybyplantpersonnel.Malfunctionsofthe
processshouldbesimulatedandemergencyactionsundertaken.Disasterdrillsthatsimulate
amajorcatastrophicsituationshouldbeundertakenperiodicallywiththecooperationand
participationofpublicfire,police,andotherlocalcommunityemergencyunitsandnearby
cooperatingplants.
A.12.1.2(5) Processinterlocksshouldbecalibratedandtestedinthemannerinwhichthey
areintendedtooperate,withwrittentestrecordsmaintainedforreviewbymanagement.
TestingfrequencyshouldbedeterminedinaccordancewiththeAIChEGuidelinesforSafe
AutomationofChemicalProcesses.
A.12.2.2.4 Periodiccleaningofcomponentsisespeciallyimportantiftheblowerorfanis
exposedtoheatedair.
A.12.2.2.5 Ifrustisallowedtoformontheinteriorsteelsurfaces,itisonlyamatteroftime
beforeanironoxide(rust)becomesdislodgedandistakendownstream,strikingagainstthe
ductwalls.Insomecases,thisconditioncouldcauseanignition ofcombustibleswithinthe
duct.Thesituationworsensifaluminumpaintisused.Ifthealuminumflakesofforisstruck
byaforeignobject,theheatofimpactcouldbesufficienttocausethealuminumparticleto
ignite,therebyinitiatingafiredownstream.
A.12.2.5.3 Forinformationonmaintenanceofdeflagrationventing,seeNFPA68,Guidefor
VentingofDeflagrations.
AnnexBExplosionProtection
ThisannexisnotapartoftherequirementsofthisNFPAdocumentbutisincludedfor
informationalpurposesonly.
B.1General.
Thisannexcoversthefollowingcommonmethodsofexplosionprotection:
(1) Containment
(2) Inerting
(3) Deflagrationventing
(4) Deflagrationsuppression
(5) Deflagrationisolation
B.2Containment.
Thebasisforthecontainmentmethodofprotectionisaprocessdesignedtowithstandthe
maximumdeflagrationpressureofthematerialbeinghandled.Theequipmentisdesignedin
accordancewith ASMEBoilerandPressureVesselCode,SectionVIII,Division 1.Thefinal
deformationpressuredependsonthemaximuminitialpressureinthevesselpriortothe
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deflagration.NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems,limitsthemaximum
initialgaugepressureto30psi(207kPa)forcontainmentvessels.
Theequipmentisdesignedeithertopreventpermanentdeformation(workingbelowitsyield
strength)ortopreventrupturewithsomepermanentdeformationallowable(workingabove
itsyieldstrengthbutbelowitsultimatestrength).Theshapeofthevessel shouldbe
considered.Tomaximizethestrengthofthevessel,itsdesignshouldavoidflatsurfacesand
rectangularshapes.Thestrengthofweldsandotherfasteningsshouldalsobeconsidered.
Themajoradvantageofcontainmentisthatitrequireslittlemaintenanceduetoitspassive
approachtoexplosionprotection.
Thedisadvantagesofcontainmentareasfollows:
(1) Highinitialcost
(2) Weightloadingonplantstructure
B.3Inerting.
Inertingprotectionisprovidedbyloweringtheoxygenconcentration,inanenclosedvolume,
belowthelevelrequiredforcombustion.Thatisachievedbyintroducinganinertgassuchas
nitrogenorcarbondioxide.Fluegasescanbeused,buttheycouldfirstrequirecleaningand
cooling.(SeeNFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems.)
Thepurgegasflowandoxygenconcentrationintheprocessshouldbedesignedreliablywith
appropriatesafetyfactorsinaccordancewith NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPrevention
Systems.Considerationshouldbegiventothepotentialforasphyxiationof personneldueto
purgegasorleakage.
Themajoradvantageofinertingispreventionofcombustion,therebyavoidingproductloss.
Thedisadvantagesofinertingareasfollows:
(1) Ongoingcostofinertgas
(2) Possibleasphyxiationhazardtopersonnel
(3) Highmaintenance
B.4DeflagrationVenting.
Deflagrationventingprovidesapanelordoor(ventclosure)torelievetheexpandinghot
gasesofadeflagrationfromaprocesscomponentorroom.
B.4.1HowDeflagrationVentingWorks.Exceptforanopenvent,whichallowsflammable
gasestodischargedirectlytotheatmosphere,deflagrationventsopenatapredetermined
pressurereferredtoasPstat.Theventiseitheraventpaneloraventdoor.Thepressurized
gasesaredischargedtotheatmosphereeitherdirectlyorviaaventduct,resultingina
reduceddeflagrationpressure,Pred.Thedeflagrationventarrangementisdesignedtoensure
thatpressure,Pred,isbelowtherupturepressureoftheprocessvesselorroom.Thisprocess
isillustratedin FigureB.4.1.
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FIGUREB.4.1PressureTimeGraphofaVentedDeflagration.
B.4.2DeflagrationVentPanel.Thedeflagrationventpanelisaflatorslightlydomedpanel
thatisboltedorotherwiseattachedtoanopeningontheprocesscomponenttobeprotected.
Thepanelcanbemadeofanymaterialandconstructionthatallowsthepaneltoeither
rupture,detach,orswingopenfromtheprotectedvolumematerialsthatcouldfragmentand
actasshrapnelshouldnotbeused.Flatventscouldrequireavacuumsupportarrangement
orasupportagainsthighwinds.Domedventsaredesignedtohaveagreaterresistance
againstwindpressure,processcycles,andprocessvacuums.Atypicalcommercially
availableventpanelisdetailedin FigureB.4.2.Suchventsareeitherrectangularorcircular.
FIGUREB.4.2DeflagrationVentPanelandSupportGrid.
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B.4.3DeflagrationVentDoor.Adeflagrationventdoorisahingeddoormountedonthe
processcomponenttobeprotected.Itisdesignedtoopenatapredeterminedpressurethatis
governedbyaspeciallatcharrangement.Generally,aventdoorhasagreaterinertiathana
ventpanel,reducingitsefficiency.
B.4.4Applications.Deflagrationventsareusedforapplicationsthathandlegases,dusts,or
hybridmixtures.Typicalapplicationsincludedustcollectors,silos,spraydryers,bucket
elevators,andmixers.FigureB.4.4showsatypicalventpanelinstallationonadust
collector.
FIGUREB.4.4VentedDustCollector.
Theadvantagesofdeflagrationventingareasfollows:
(1) Lowcost,iftheprocesscomponentislocatedoutside
(2) Lowmaintenanceduetouseofpassivedevice
Thedisadvantagesofdeflagrationventingareasfollows:
(1) Thepotentialforapostventingfirewithinthecomponent,particularlyifcombustible
materials,suchasfilterbags,arestillpresent
(2) Therecommendationthattheplantcomponentbenearanoutsidewallorlocated
outside
(3) Fireballexitingaventedcomponent,whichisaseverefirehazardtotheplantand
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personnellocatedinthevicinityofthedeflagrationventopening
(4) Contraindicationoftheprocessfortoxicorcorrosivematerial
B.4.5DesignConsiderations.Thefollowingpointsshouldbeconsideredinthedesignand
evaluationofthesuitabilityofdeflagrationventing:
(1) Reactionforces
(2) Postexplosionfires
(3) Materialtoxicityorcorrosiveness
(4) Goodmanufacturingpractices(GMP)(foodandpharmaceuticalapplications)
(5) Ventefficiency
(6) Connectionstootherprocessequipment
(7) Ventductbackpressure
(8) Thermalinsulation
(9) Safeventingarea
(10) Vacuumprotection
(11) Location
B.5DeflagrationSuppression.
Deflagrationsuppressioninvolvesahighspeedflameextinguishingsystemthatdetectsand
extinguishesadeflagrationbeforedestructivepressuresarecreated.
B.5.1HowDeflagrationSuppressionWorks.Anexplosionisnotaninstantaneousevent.
Thegrowingfireballhasameasurabletimetocreateitsdestructivepressures.Typicallythe
fireballexpandsatspeedsof30ft/sec(9m/sec),whereasthepressurewaveaheadofit
travelsat1100ft/sec(335m/sec).Thedeflagrationisdetectedeitherbyapressuredetector
oraflamedetector,andasignalpassestoacontrolunit,whichactuatesoneorseveral
highratedischargeextinguishers.Theextinguishersaremounteddirectlyontheprocessto
beprotected,rapidlysuppressingthefireball.Thewholeprocesstakesmilliseconds.The
sequencefordeflagrationsuppressionisshownin FigureB.5.1(a).
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FIGUREB.5.1(a)DeflagrationSuppressionSequenceofStarchina35ft3 (1m3)
Vessel.
Becausethefireballissuppressedatanearlystage,ruptureofthevesselisprevented.Figure
B.5.1(b)showsthepressuretimegraphofthesuppressionofastarchdeflagrationina67ft3
(1.9m3)vessel.Notethatthereduceddeflagrationgaugepressureisapproximately3.5psi
(24kPa)inthistest.
FIGUREB.5.1(b)PressureVersusTimeinaSuppressedDeflagration.
B.5.2Applications.Deflagrationsuppressionsystemsareusedforapplicationsthathandle
gases,dusts,orhybridmixtures.Typicalapplicationsincludedustcollectors,silos,spray
dryers,bucketelevators,andmixers.FigureB.5.2showsatypicalsuppressionsystem
installationonadustcollector.
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FIGUREB.5.2DustCollectorSuppressionSystem.
Theadvantagesofadeflagrationsuppressionsystemareasfollows:
(1) Eliminationofflameandreducedchanceofsubsequentfire
(2) Reducedriskofejectedtoxicorcorrosivematerial
(3) Flexibilityinprocesscomponentlocations
Thedisadvantagesofadeflagrationsuppressionsystemareasfollows:
(1) Generallyhighercostthanfordeflagrationventing
(2) Requirementforregularmaintenance
(3) Ineffectivenessforcertainmetaldusts,acetylene,andhydrogen
B.5.3DesignCriteria.Deflagrationsuppressionsystemsaredesignedinaccordancewith
NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems,andISO61844,Explosion
ProtectionSystemsPart4:DeterminationofEfficiencyofExplosionSuppression
Systems.Thefollowinginformationisrequiredfordesignofasuppressionsystem:
(1) Processmaterial
(2) KSt orKG valueinpsift/sec(barm/sec)
(3) Vesselstrength
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(4) Vesseldimensionsandvolume
(5) Maximumandminimumoperatingpressuresandtemperatures
(6) Connectionstootherprocessequipment
B.6DeflagrationIsolation.
Aprocesscomponentsuchasadustcollectororsilocouldbeprotectedfromanexplosion
byventing,suppression,orcontainment.However,itsconnectionstootherprocess
componentsbypipesandductsposethethreatofdeflagrationpropagation.Adeflagration
ventonadustcollectorcouldsaveitfromdestruction,buttheinletductcouldstill
propagateflametootherpartsoftheplant.Suchpropagationcanresultindevastating
secondaryexplosions.Theimportanceofductsisstatedin NFPA68,GuideforVentingof
Deflagrations,whichsays:
Interconnectionsbetweenseparatepiecesofequipmentpresentaspecialhazard. Where
suchinterconnectionsarenecessary,deflagrationisolationdevicesshouldbeconsidered,or
theinterconnectionsshouldbevented.[68:5.6.7]
Although NFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations,indicatesventingasanoptionfor
interconnections,ventingisvalidonlywheninterconnectedequipmentisprotectedfrom
explosions.
Theneedforisolationisfurthersupportedbyresearchthatshowsthatinterconnecting
vesselscanresultinprecompressionofgasesinconnectedvesselscausedbyadeflagration.
Theresultisthatadeflagrationinonevesselcanproduceconsiderablyhigherpressuresin
theconnectedvessel.Mechanicalorchemicalisolationmethodsshouldthereforebe
consideredwhereinterconnectionsbetweenvesselsarepresent.
B.6.1MechanicalIsolation.Mechanicaldeflagrationisolationcanbeprovidedbyrotary
airlockvalvesofsuitableconstruction.Anexampleoftheiruseisatthedischargeofdust
collectorhoppers.Tobeeffectiveandtopreventthetransmissionofflameandburning
materials,rotaryairlockvalvesshouldbestoppedatthemomentadeflagrationisdetected.
Tobetrulyeffective,rotaryairlockvalvesshouldbeintegratedintoanexplosion
detection/protectionsystemforthepieceofequipmentbeingprotected.
Rotaryairlockvalvesfordeflagrationisolationshouldbeofruggedconstructionandsuitable
design.Suchdesignisparticularlyimportantforpiecesofequipmentprotectedby
deflagrationventingandcontainment.Thisapplicationputsmoredemandontheintegrityof
rotaryairlockvalvesthanonthecomponentsprotectedbysuppression.Thereasonisthat
suppressionextinguishestheflameinadditiontomitigatingthepressure.
Anotherexampleofmechanicalisolationisthehighspeedknifegatevalve.Highspeedgate
valvesshouldbecapableofwithstandingthemaximumdeflagrationpressure.Typically,
valvesareratedforgaugepressuresupto150psi(1035kPa)andshouldbecapableof
closinginmilliseconds.Thepipeworkalsoneedstowithstandthemaximumdeflagration
pressure,Pmax.FigureB.6.1showsatypicalarrangementforahighspeedgatevalve.A
detector,whichcouldbeapressureswitchoranopticaldetector,detectsthedeflagration
pressureorflamefront.Thetriggertheninitiatestherapidvalveclosuretopreventthe
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propagationofflameandpressure.Iftheconnectedpieceofequipmentisprotectedby
deflagrationventingordeflagrationsuppression,thenlittlepressurecanbeexpected.Insuch
cases,thevalvethatisolatesaconnectedpipecanbereplacedbyachemicalisolationbarrier.
FIGUREB.6.1MechanicalIsolationUsingaHighSpeedGateValve.
B.6.2ChemicalIsolation.Chemicalisolationisachievedbytherapiddischargeofa
chemicalextinguishingagentintotheinterconnectingpipeorduct.FigureB.6.2showsa
typicalarrangementforchemicalisolation.Adeflagrationdetector,whichcouldbea
pressureswitchoranopticaldetector,detectsthedeflagrationpressureorflamefront.The
triggertheninitiatestherapiddischargeofextinguishingagentfromahighspeed
extinguisherbottle,thuspreventingthepropagationofflameandburningmaterials.
FIGUREB.6.2TypicalArrangementofChemicalIsolation.
Chemicaldeflagrationisolationshouldnotbeconfusedwithignitionsource(spark)
suppressionsystems.Suchsystemsareintendedtodetectburningparticlestravelingdowna
ductandextinguishthemwithadownstreamsprayofwater.Theyarenotdesignedtostop
deflagrationsoncetheyhavestartedandareineffectiveforpreventingdeflagration
propagationthroughinterconnectedequipment.
B.7LimitationsofFlameFrontDiverters.
Flamefrontdiverterscandivertdeflagrationflamesbydirectingthemtotheatmosphere.
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However,thesedevicesdohavelimitations.Iftheairmovingdeviceislocateddownstream
oftheflamefrontdiverter,anexplosionoriginatingupstreamofthedivertercanpropagate
pastitbecauseofthedeflagrationflamesbeingsuckedintothedownstreamside,despitethe
opendivertercover.Also,testssuggestthatsomediverterscouldbeineffectivein
completelydivertingadeflagrationinvolvingahybridmixturewhosevaporsexceedtheLFL,
regardlessofthelocationoftheairmovingdevice.Nevertheless,inbothsituationswherea
flamefrontdiverterallowspropagation,thedeflagrationseverityinthesystemisexpectedto
bereduced.
AnnexCInformationalPrimeronSparkDetectionand
ExtinguishingSystems
C.1PrimerDesignConceptsforSparkDetectionandExtinguishingSystems.
C.1.1Spark/EmberDetectors.Spark/emberdetectorsareradiantenergysensingfire
detectors.Thedesign,installation,andmaintenanceofradiantenergysensingfiredetectors
arecoveredinChapter5of NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode.Whererequiredby NFPA
654,sparkdetectorsareusedtoactuateanabortgatetodivertfuel,flames,andcombustion
gasestoasafelocation.
However,sparkdetectorsaremorecommonlyintegratedintoasparkdetectionand
extinguishingsystem.Inthissecondcase,theextinguishmentisusuallyanintermittentwater
spraydesignedandinstalledpursuanttoNFPA15,StandardforWaterSprayFixedSystems
forFireProtection,andmaintainedpursuanttoNFPA25,StandardfortheInspection,
Testing,andMaintenanceofWaterBasedFireProtectionSystems.Becausethe
overwhelmingmajorityoftheapplicationsthatemployspark/emberdetectorsarepneumatic
conveyingsystems,itisappropriatetoprovideaprimeronthesedevicesaspartofthis
standard.
C.1.1.1ActuationofAbortGate.Whensparkdetectorsareusedtoactuateanabortgate,
thedesignconceptsarefairlystraightforward.Thedetectorsaremountedontheduct
upstreamfromtheabortgateandarewiredtoacontrolpanellistedandapprovedforthat
purpose.Whenadetectorsensesaspark,thesignalcausesthecontrolpaneltoalarm,and
thesolenoidorotherreleasingdeviceontheabortgateisenergized.Thistypeofsystemis
shownin FigureC.1.1.1.
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FIGUREC.1.1.1SparkDetectorsandAbortGate.
C.1.1.2SparkDetectionandExtinguishingSystems.Sparkdetectionandextinguishing
systemsusuallyconsistofagroupofdetectorsthatarelocatedontheconveyingduct,a
controlpanelinasafeaccessiblelocation,andanextinguishmentsolenoidvalveandnozzle
setlocatedontheductdownstreamfromthedetectors.Suchasystemisshownin Figure
C.1.1.2.
FIGUREC.1.1.2TypicalSparkDetectionandExtinguishingSystem.
Whenasparkoremberentersthedetector(s),thedetectorrespondswithanalarmsignal
thatactuatestheextinguishingsystemvalve,establishinganextinguishingconcentrationof
waterbeforethesparkarrives.Thewatersprayismaintainedforatimeperiodlongenough
toensureextinguishmentandisthenturnedoff.Thisfeatureminimizesthequantityofwater
injectedintotheduct.Thepneumaticconveyingsystemisnotshutdownitcontinuestorun.
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Eachtimeasparkcomesdowntheduct,itisquenched.
C.1.2CriticalDesignConcepts.Forbothsystemdesignconcepts,severalcriticalfactors
shouldbeaddressediftheyaretowork.First,thedetectorshouldbeabletoreliablydetecta
spark,anember,oraflame.Second,thealarmsignalshouldbeprocessedquickly.The
timingshouldbepredictableenoughtoallowtheabortgatetooperateortoallowthe
extinguishingsystemsufficienttimetoestablishthewaterspray.Finally,inthecaseofthe
extinguishingsystem,thereshouldbeaprovisiontoreapplythewatersprayextinguishment
repetitively.Theoccurrenceofanindividual,isolatedsparkisrareusuallysparksare
producedinaburstorstream.Theextinguishingsystemshouldbeabletoreactivateaseach
successivesparkisdetected.Unlessalltheseconcernsareaddressed,spark/emberdetection
andextinguishmentcannotbeusedasusuallysupplied.
C.1.2.1SparkDetectorReliability.Thefirstconcernregardingaspark/emberdetectoris
itsabilitytodetectaspark,ember,orfire.NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode,definesa
sparkasamovingemberanddefinesanemberasaparticleofsolidmaterialthatemits
radiantenergydueeithertoitstemperatureortheprocessofcombustiononitssurface.
FigureC.1.2.1showstheradiationintensityasafunctionofwavelengthforanoakember
andagasolineflame.
FIGUREC.1.2.1EmissionsofanOakEmberandGasolineFlameComparedtothe
SpectralSensitivityofaSpark/EmberDetector.
Thespectralsensitivityofthetypicalspark/emberdetectorissuperimposedonthegraphin
FigureC.1.2.1.Onecanseethatthespark/emberdetectorwillsensetheradiationfromboth
anember(spark)andaflame.
C.1.2.2DetectorSensitivityandSpeed.Thesecondconcernregardingthedetectabilityof
asparkorflameinaductisthesensitivityandspeedofthedetector.Becausethedetectoris
designedtobemountedonaductthatisdark,siliconphotodiodesensorscanbeused,and
therewillbefew,ifany,sourcesofspuriousalarmwithintheduct.Thesensorsallowthe
detectorstobemadebothextremelysensitiveandextremelyfast.Sensitivitiesof1.0 W
andspeedsof100microsecondsarecommon.Theresultisadetectorthatcandetectaspark
thesizeofapinheadmovingfasterthanthespeedofsound.Theoutcomeisthatbothsparks
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andflamesareeasilydetectedinpneumaticconveyingsystemswithmodernspark/ember
detectors.
CAUTION: Spark/emberdetectorsaremotionsensitive.Ifthefireis
movingtooslowly,thetypicalspark/emberdetectormightnotdetectit.
Ingeneral,spark/emberdetectorsdonotdetectastationaryemberor
flame.
Anotherconsiderationistheabsolutenecessityforapredictableamountoftimebetweenthe
detectionofthesparkandtheactuationoftheabortgateortheestablishmentofthewater
sprayextinguishingconcentration.Theresponsetimesofthedetector,controlpanel,and
solenoidvalveareknown,verified,andextremelyreliable.However,unlessthearrivaltime
ofthesparkattheabortgateorextinguishingwatersprayisequallypredictable,these
systemsarenotappropriate.
Thearrivaltimeofthesparkisafunctionoftheconveyingsystemairspeedandthedistance
betweenthedetectorandtheextinguishingsystem.Mostsparkdetectionandextinguishing
systemsprovidedesignersaformulatocomputetherequireddistancebetweenthedetectors
andtheabortgateorextinguishment.Generally,itisinthefollowingform:
Theairspeedandhencetheemberspeedshouldbebothconstantandcontrolled.Itisthis
necessitythatestablishedtherequirementthatthecombustibleconcentrationbelessthan
onehalftheLFLorMEC.IfthecombustibleconcentrationexceedstheLFL orMEC,a
deflagrationcanresultfromtheintroductionofaspark.Thespeedoftheflamefrontequals
thesumoftheflamefrontvelocityforthatcombustibleatthatconcentrationplusthe
nominalairvelocityoftheconveyingsystem.Thedeflagrationflamefrontwouldpassthe
abortgatebeforeithadopenedorwouldpasstheextinguishmentbeforethevalvehad
openedandestablishedaspraypattern.Thatiswhythecriteriaregardingcombustible
concentrationaresoimportant.Asparkdetectionsystem onaconveyinglinewherethe
concentrationsareabovetheLFLorMECcannotbeexpectedtomakeameaningful
contributiontothesurvivalofthesiteoritsoccupantsshouldadeflagrationoccur.
C.1.2.3ControlPanelDesign.Thethirdconcernregardingthesesystemsinvolvesthe
extinguishingcomponent.Becausethecauseofthefirstsparkusuallycausesadditional
sparks,thecontrolpanelshouldbedesignedforthesuccessiveandrepetitivereapplicationof
theextinguishingagent.Thistypeoffunctionisnotfoundintheaveragefirealarmcontrol
panel.Speciallydesignedcontrolpanelsforsparkdetectionandextinguishmentarethe
norm.
C.2SystemBasics.
C.2.1General.Thisstandardrequirestheuseofsparkdetectionsystemsinthose
installationsinwhichconveyingairisbeingreturnedtothebuilding.Itrequiresthatthe
sparkdetectionbeusedtoactivateanabortgate,divertingtheairstreamtooutsideambient
air.Thisrequirementisacriticallifesafetyandpropertyconservationmeasure.Sparks
enteringadustcollectorareapttoinitiateadeflagration.Iftheabortgateisnotactivated,
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theflamesandcombustiongaseswouldbeconveyedbackintothefacility,ignitingsecondary
firesandposingaseriousthreattotheoccupants.FigureC.2.1isadiagramofthistypeof
system.
FIGUREC.2.1MinimumComplianceSparkDetectionSystem.
C.2.2DualDetectors.Becausesparkdetectorshavelimitedfieldsofview,mostsystems
requiretwodetectorstocoveraroundduct.Thedetectorsareusuallysituatedontheinletto
thecollector,asshownin FigureC.2.1.Thissystemistheonlytypeof sparkdetection
systemrequiredbythisstandard.However,becauseitisaminimumcompliancestandard,
additionalmeasuresareallowed.
C.2.3LimitationsofMinimumComplianceApproach.Theproblemwiththeminimum
complianceapproachisthatitcanoftenreducetheproductivityofthesite.Whenasparkis
detected,theabortgatetransfers.Theairhandlingsystemthenshouldbeshutdownto
restoretheabortgatetothenormalposition.Thisshutdowncouldrequireanhourof
productiontime.Ifasparkisarareoccurrence,thisisnotaseriousproblem.However,in
manysystems,sparksareacommonoccurrence.Forexample,inawoodworkingfacility,
onecouldexpectseveralsparksperday.Obviously,asystemthatshutsdownthefacilityfor
anhourseveraltimesadayisnotaviablesystem.
C.2.4ApproachtoMinimizeShutdowns.Theuseofasparkdetectionandextinguishing
systemontheinlettothedustcollectorisanextremelyeffectivewayofpreventing
productionstoppages.Thistypeofsystemmountsasecondzoneofsparkdetectorson the
pneumaticconveyingductfarenoughupstreamtoallowtheinstallationofanintermittent
watersprayextinguishingsystemontheinletductpriortoentryintotheprimarydust
collector(airmaterialseparator).Thissparkdetectionandextinguishingsystemquenches
eachsparkasitcomesdowntheduct,beforeitreachestheairmaterialseparator.A
properlydesignedandinstalledsparkdetectionandextinguishingsystemisveryeffectivein
preventingignitionsintheairmaterialseparator.Thesparkdetectorthatactuatestheabort
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gateismovedtotheoutletoftheairmaterialseparator,providingasecondarydetection.
Thistypeofsystemisshownin FigureC.2.4.
FIGUREC.2.4BasicSparkDetectionandExtinguishingSystemforaSingle
AirMaterialSeparator.
C.2.5AdditionalSystemFeatures.Thesparkdetectionandextinguishingsysteminvolves
morethanjustdetectorsandawaterspray.Toprovidethedegreeofperformance
necessitatedbytheapplication,thesystemshouldrequireanumberofadditionalsystem
attributes.
First,thedetectorsshouldbelistedandapprovedtooperateinconjunctionwiththecontrol
panelandthewatersprayextinguishingunit.Allthreecomponentsshouldbelistedasa
system.Thenozzlesthatareusedarespecificallydesignedforthistypeofservicetheyare
notofftheshelfsprinklerheads.Thesolenoidvalveisspecificallymatchedtothecontrol
paneltoensureauniform,predictableresponsetime.
Theoperatingrequirementsofasparkdetectionandextinguishingsystemcallforadditional
features.Thewindowsorlensesofdetectorscanbecomescratched,broken,orcoatedwith
material,reducingtheirsensitivity.Consequently,ameansshouldbeprovidedtomeasurethe
sensitivityofthedetectorstoensurethattheyarecapableofdetectingsparksaftertheinitial
installationtests.Thesensitivitymeasurementcapabilityisrequiredby NFPA72,National
FireAlarmCode.Ifthematerialisdiscoveredtoclingtotheinteriorsurfacesoftheduct,a
meanstokeepthedetectorwindow/lenscleanisrequiredby NFPA72.Thisusuallyinvolves
anairpurgingoptionthatbathesthedetectorwindow/lenswithcleanair.
Toworkreliably,theextinguishingsystemshouldhaveastrainer(requiredby NFPA15,
StandardforWaterSprayFixedSystemsforFireProtection)topreventpipescalefrom
cloggingthenozzle.Thewatersupplyshouldbereliableandsupervisedwithapressure
switch.Becausetheextinguishingsystemcomponentsaremountedonaductthatcouldbe
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outdoors,freezepreventionmeasuresshouldbeimplemented.Antifreezesolutionsarenota
viableoptiononextinguishingsystemsthatareexpectedtooperateregularly.Consequently,
heattracingshouldbethoughtofasamandatoryconstituentofthesystemalongwith
thermostatstoturntheheattraceonandtowarnofimpendingfreezeup.
Finally,desirablesystemcomponentssuchassystemtesting,eventrecording,andflow
indicatorsshouldbeconsideredaspartofanysystem.
AnnexDDustLayerCharacterizationandPrecautions
D.1
Usingabulkdensityof75lb/ft3 (1200kg/m3)andanassumedconcentrationof0.35oz/ft3
(350g/m3),ithasbeencalculatedthatadustlayeraveraging in.(0.8mm)thickand
coveringthefloorofabuildingissufficienttoproduceauniformdustcloudofoptimum
concentration,10ft(3m)high,throughoutthebuilding.Thissituationisidealizedseveral
factorsshouldbeconsidered.
First,thelayerwillrarelybeuniformorcoverallsurfaces,andsecond,thelayerofdustwill
probablynotbedispersedcompletelybytheturbulenceofthepressurewavefromtheinitial
explosion.However,ifonly50percentofthe in.(0.8mm)thicklayerissuspended,this
materialisstillsufficienttocreateanatmospherewithintheexplosiblerangeofmostdusts.
Considerationshouldbegiventotheproportionofbuildingvolumethatcouldbefilledwith
acombustibledustconcentration.Thepercentageoffloorareacoveredcanbeusedasa
measureofthehazard.Forexample,a10ft10ft(3m 3m)roomwitha in.(0.8mm)
layerofdustonthefloorisobviouslyhazardousandshouldbecleaned.Thesame100ft2
(9.3m2)areaina2025ft2 (188m2)buildingisamoderatehazard.Thehazardousarea
representsabout5percentofafloorareaandisaboutasmuch coverageasshouldbe
allowedinanyplant.Togainproperperspective,theoverheadbeamsandledgesshouldalso
beconsidered.Roughcalculationsshowthattheavailablesurfaceareaofthebarjoistis
about5percentofthefloorarea.Forsteelbeams,theequivalentsurfaceareacanbeashigh
as10percent.
D.2
FromtheinformationinSection D.1,thefollowingguidelinescanbeusedtoestablisha
cleaningfrequency:
(1) Dustlayers in.(0.8mm)thickcanbesufficienttowarrantimmediatecleaningof

thearea[ in.(0.8mm)isaboutthediameterofapaperclipwireorthethickness
oftheleadinamechanicalpencil].
(2) Thedustlayeriscapableofcreatingahazardousconditionifitexceeds5percentof
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thebuildingfloorarea.
(3) Dustaccumulationonoverheadbeamsandjoistscontributessignificantlytothe
secondarydustcloudandisapproximatelyequivalentto5percentofthefloorarea.
Othersurfaces,suchasthetopsofductsandlargeequipment,canalsocontribute
significantlytothedustcloudpotential.
(4) The5percentfactorshouldnotbeusedifthefloorareaexceeds20,000ft2 (1860
m2).Insuchcases,a1000ft2 (93m2)layerofdustistheupperlimit.
(5) Dueconsiderationshouldbegiventodustthatadherestowalls,sinceitiseasily
dislodged.
(6) Attentionandconsiderationshouldalsobegiventootherprojectionssuchaslight
fixtures,whichcanprovidesurfacesfordustaccumulation.
(7) Dustcollectionequipmentshouldbemonitoredtoensureitisoperatingeffectively.
Forexample,dustcollectorsusingbagsoperatemosteffectivelybetweenlimited
pressuredropsof3in.to5in.ofwater(0.74kPato1.24kPa).Anexcessive
decreaseorlowdropinpressureindicatesinsufficientcoatingtotrapdust.
AnnexEDeflagrationPropagationIsolationMethods
E.1
Flamefrontsfromadeflagrationcanpropagatethroughconnectingductworktoother
unprotectedprocessequipmentandtothebuildingfromoutsideprocessequipment.Figure
E.1showsanexampleofhowsuchpropagationcouldoccur.Isolationtechniquesasshown
in FigureA.7.1.4.2(3),FigureA.7.1.4.2(4),andFigureA.7.1.4.2(5)canbeusedtoprevent
thepropagationofthedeflagrationbyarrestingtheflamefront.
FIGUREE.1DeflagrationPropagationWithoutIsolation.
Boththedirectionandtheextentofpotentialdeflagrationpropagationshouldbeconsidered.
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Usually,adustdeflagrationoccursinafuelrichregime(i.e.,abovethestoichiometric
fuelairratio),makingitlikelythattheinitialdeflagrationwillexpandintovolumesmany
timesgreaterthantheinitialdeflagrationvolume.
E.2
Thedynamicsofadustexplosionaresuchthatunburneddustispushedaheadoftheflame
frontbytheexpandingproductsofcombustion.Theunburneddustisexpelledfromthe
containmentvesselviaeveryavailableexitpath,inallpossibledirectionsof flow,including
flowviaallconnectingducts,andoutthroughanyprovidedexplosionventing.Thedriving
forcepushingthedustawayfromthepointofinitiation[which,underventedconditions,
couldbeintherangeofonlyafewpoundspersquareinch (kilopascals)]caneasily
overcometheforceofnormalsystemflow(whichtypicallycouldbeoftheorderofafew
incheswatercolumn).Furthermore,thevelocitiesproducedbythedeflagrationusually
greatlyexceedthoseofthepneumaticconveyingsystem undernormaldesignconditions.
Consequently,unburneddustandthedeflagrationflamefrontcanbeexpectedtopropagate
upstreamthroughductworkfromthelocusoftheinitialdeflagration.
E.3
Theconveyanceoftheflamefrontviaboththeinfeedandoutflowductsshouldbeevaluated.
Inmostcases,themovementofdustandpropagatingflamefrontcommutesthedeflagration
totheconnectedequipmentviaductwork.Whereequipmentandductsareadequately
protectedpursuanttothisstandardandNFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations(when
explosionventingisused),theconsequencesofexplosionpropagationmightnotincreasethe
lifesafetyhazardorsignificantlyincreasepropertydamage.In othercases,however,the
transitofadeflagrationflamefrontdoesresultinsubstantialincreasesintheseverityofan
event.
E.3.1 Inthecaseofseveralpiecesofequipmentconnectedviaductwork,whereeachpiece
ofequipmentandtheductworkareprovidedwithexplosionventing,thedustexplosioncan
neverthelesspropagatethroughoutthesystem.Explosionventingontheequipmentof
deflagrationoriginpreventsoverpressuredamagetothatvessel.Iftheconcentrationwithin
theconnectingductworkisbelowtheMECpriortothedeflagration,thedeflagrationcan
stillspreadtothenextvessel,buttheexplosionventingthereshouldprotectthatsecond
vesselfromoverpressuredamage.Insuchacase,theprovisionofexplosionisolationwould
notprovideanysignificantreductionineitherthepropertydamageorlifesafetyhazard.
E.3.2 IftheconcentrationwithinaconnectingductisabovetheMECpriortothe
deflagration,thenthepropagationthroughthatductresultsinanacceleratingflamefront.
Withoutexplosionventingontheductwork,theacceleratingflamefrontresultsina
significantprepressurizationoftheequipmentattheotherendoftheductandinapowerful
jetflameignitionofadustdeflagrationinthatsecondvessel.Suchadeflagrationcan
overwhelmtheexplosionventingonthatvessel,evenifthedesignisbasedoninformationin
NFPA68,GuideforVentingofDeflagrations,resultinginthecatastrophicruptureofthe
vessel.Inthatcase,theexplosionpropagationresultsinasignificantincreaseinproperty
damageand,quitepossibly,inanincreasein lifesafetyhazardduetothevesselrupture.
Consequently,explosionisolationisacriticalcomponenttothemanagementofthefireand
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explosionrisk.
E.3.3 Inthecaseofadustcollectorservingalargenumberofstoragesilos,anexplosion
originatinginthedustcollectorcanproduceanacceptablelevelofdamagetothecollectorif
itisprovidedwithadequateexplosionventingperNFPA68,GuideforVentingof
Deflagrations.However,thepropagationofthatexplosionupstreamtoalltheconnected
siloscouldcauseignitionofthematerialstoredinallthosesilos.Theinitiationofsuch
storagefirescansignificantlyescalatethemagnitudeoftheincident,intermsofproperty
damage,interruptiontooperations,andlifesafetyhazard.Aswiththeexamplein E.3.2,
explosionisolationwouldbewarrantedinthiscase.
AnnexFUseofWaterasExtinguishingAgentforCombustible
ParticulateSolids
F.1
Asnotedin A.10.2.1,theclassificationofcombustibleparticulatesolidsaccordingtotheir
behaviorwithwateraffectstheeffectivenessofwaterasanextinguishingmedium.
Watercompatibleparticulatesolidsarethosecombustiblesthatcanbeextinguishedwith
waterandthatneitherreactwithnorformmixtureswithit.Thesesolidsincludethe
followingmaterials:
(1) Wooddusts,fibers,chips,shavings,andflakes
(2) Somepaperdusts,dependingonultimateuse
(3) Municipalsolidwastes(MSWs),includingrefusederivedfuels(RDFs)
(4) Coalchunks,pellets,anddusts
(5) Shreddedplasticandpapersatrecyclingfacilities
(6) Manyplasticpowdersandpellets
(7) Pulverizedcorkusedinaflooringproduct'smanufacturingprocess
(8) Conveyedagriculturalcommoditiessuchasoilseeds,walnutshells,andcocoabeans
inadeshellingoperation
(9) Choppedfeathersinadryer
Thechemicalandphysicalproperties,rangeofparticlesizes,andtypesofprocessequipment
usedwiththesecombustiblesusuallyallowtheseapplicationstobeconsideredwater
compatible.Aprincipalconcernistheignitionofadustcloudintheairmaterialseparatoror
thestoragevessel.Whenthesourceofignitionisgeneratedupstream,thisriskcanoftenbe
reducedifthesparkoremberisdetectedandextinguishedpriortoitsentryintothe
airmaterialseparatororthestoragevessel.Insomeapplications,sparkdetectionand
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intermittentwatersprayextinguishingsystemscanbeeffectivelyusedbecausetheultimate
usefulnessoftheparticulatematerialisnotaffectedifitiswet.
Innumerousdrying,chopping,crushing,andgrindingoperations,theintroductionofwater
doesnotrepresentaseriousthreattothetransportedmaterialortotheprocessequipment.
Forexample,inwoodworkingplants,thewoodwasteisusuallysoldasrawmaterialfor
particleboardorisusedasfueltoheatthefacility.Themoisturefromtheoperationofan
extinguishingsystemisofnoconsequence.Thatallowstheuseofsparkdetectionand
intermittentwatersprayasthefireprotectionstrategy.Forotherapplications,awaterdeluge
systemisamoreappropriatefireprotectionstrategyeventhoughitcoulddisruptthenormal
flowofmaterialorinterrupttheprocessoperation.
F.2
Incontrast,inwaterincompatiblesystems,theintroductionofwatercausesunacceptable
damagetotheequipmentortothematerialbeingprocessed.Inthesesystems,theparticulate
solidsarecombustiblesthatcanbeextinguishedwithwaterbutdissolveinwaterorforma
mixturewithitthatrendersthemnolongerprocessable,ortheprocessequipmentcannot
toleratetheintroductionofwater.Waterincompatiblesolidsincludethefollowingmaterials:
(1) Cottonfibers(duetotheresultantequipmentdamagefromwaterdischarge)
(2) Manyfoodstuffssuchassugar,flour,spices,cornstarch,andyeasts
(3) Grainsandcereals
(4) Tobacco
(5) Manypharmaceuticals
(6) Manychemicals
Becausetheconveyedmaterialortheprocessequipmentisirreparablydegradedwhenwater
isaddedtothesematerials,thefirstlineofdefenseisanextinguishingsystemthatutilizes
someotheragent.Examplesofagentsusedinthesesystemsincludecarbondioxide,sodium
bicarbonate,monoammoniumphosphate,nitrogen,andcleanagents.However,a
waterbasedextinguishingsystemcanbeemployedasabackuptothespecialagent
extinguishingsystems.
Anexampleofawaterincompatiblesystemisoneinvolvingflour.Asprayofwaterintoa
pneumaticconveyingductthattransportsflourcanextinguishaspark,butthewaterwill
combinewiththeflourtoformapastethatcanclogthesystemandpromotefermentation.
Consequently,thereisanoperationsbasedincentivetoconsideralternativestowaterbased
extinguishingsystems.
F.3
Waterreactivematerialschemicallyreactwithwatertoproducesomeothermaterialthat
couldrepresentadifferentsetoffireprotectionproblems.Themostnotablewaterreactive
materialsarethepowderedmetals.Manypowderedmetals,includingaluminum,magnesium,
titanium,zirconium,andlithium,reactviolentlywithwatertoformanoxide,liberating
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hydrogengasasabyproduct.Thesematerialscanstartafirewhenexposedtowaterifthey
areofasufficientlysmallparticlesize.Consequently,waterisnotusuallyanoptionasan
extinguishingagentforanestablishedfireinvolvingthesematerials.
Othermetalsreactlessviolentlywithwaterandonlyundercertaincircumstances.Theuseof
wateronthesematerialsoncetheyhaveachievedignitiontemperaturecanalsoproduce
hydrogen.However,ifusedincopiousquantities,watercanbeaneffectiveextinguishing
strategy.Nevertheless,allmetalsshouldbehandledwithcare,giventhattheirreactivityis
highlydependentontheparticularmetal,particlesize,andtemperature.
Thelistofwaterreactivecombustiblesisnotlimitedtocombustiblemetalsbutalsoincludes
somepharmaceuticalsandchemicals.Thesechemicalsproduceeitherafireoratoxicor
corrosivebyproductwhenmixedwithwater.
Oftenaninertedsystemisusedbecauseofthedifficultiesencounteredinextinguishingthese
materials.However,itshouldbenotedthatsomecommonlyconsideredinertingagents,such
asCO2 ornitrogen,couldbeincompatiblewithcertainmetalsathigh temperatures.
F.4
Insummary,acombustibleparticulatesolidshouldbeclassifiedonlyafterathoroughreview
ofthechemistryandphysicalformoftheparticulate,thetypeofprocessequipment,the
subsequentuseorprocesses,therelevantliteratureregardinglosshistoryinsimilarprocesses
andproducts,otherhazardsassociatedwiththeprocessmaterial,andtheresponse
capabilitiesofthefireservice.
AnnexGInformationalReferences
G.1ReferencedPublications.
Thefollowingdocumentsorportionsthereofarereferencedwithinthisstandardfor
informationalpurposesonlyandarethusnotpartoftherequirementsofthisdocument
unlessalsolistedinChapter2.
G.1.1NFPAPublications.NationalFireProtectionAssociation,1BatterymarchPark,
Quincy,MA021697471.
NFPA15,StandardforWaterSprayFixedSystemsforFireProtection,2001edition.
NFPA25,StandardfortheInspection,Testing,andMaintenanceofWaterBasedFire
ProtectionSystems,2002edition.
NFPA69,StandardonExplosionPreventionSystems,2002edition.
NFPA72,NationalFireAlarmCode,2002edition.
NFPA77,RecommendedPracticeonStaticElectricity,2000edition.
NFPA 101,LifeSafetyCode,2006edition.
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NFPA499,RecommendedPracticefortheClassificationofCombustibleDustsandof
Hazardous(Classified)LocationsforElectricalInstallationsinChemicalProcessAreas,
2004edition.
SFPEEngineeringGuidetoPerformanceBasedFireProtectionAnalysisandDesignof
Buildings,2000edition.
G.1.2OtherPublications.
G.1.2.1ACGIHPublication.AmericanConferenceofGovernmentalIndustrialHygienists,
1330KemperMeadowDrive,Cincinnati,OH452401634.
IndustrialVentilationaManualofRecommendedPractice,25thedition,2004.
G.1.2.2AIChEPublications.AmericanInstituteofChemicalEngineers,345East47th
Street,NewYork,NY10017.
AIChECenterforChemicalProcessSafety,GuidelinesforHazardEvaluationProcedures,
2ndeditionwithWorkedExamples,1992.
AIChECenterforChemicalProcessSafety,GuidelinesforSafeAutomationofChemical
Processes,1993.
Ebadat,V.,andJ.C.Mulligan.TestingtheSuitabilityofFIBCsforUseinFlammable
Atmospheres.Paper10a,30thAnnualLossPreventionSymposium,AIChE,1996Spring
NationalMeeting,NewOrleans,LA,February2628,1996.
G.1.2.3ASMEPublication.AmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers,ThreePark
Avenue,NewYork,NY100165990.
ASMEBoilerandPressureVesselCode,SectionVIII,Division1,2001.
G.1.2.4ASTMPublications.AmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials,100BarrHarbor
Drive,WestConshohocken,PA194282959.
ASTME136,StandardTestMethodforBehaviorofMaterialsinaVerticalTubeFurnace
at750C,2003.
ASTME1226,TestMethodforPressureandRateofPressureRiseforCombustibleDusts,
1994.
ASTME1515,StandardTestMethodforMinimumExplosibleConcentrationof
CombustibleDusts,2003.
ASTME2012,StandardGuideforthePreparationofaBinaryChemicalCompatibility
Chart,2000.
ASTME2019,StandardTestMethodforMinimumIgnitionEnergyofaDustCloudinAir,
2003.
G.1.2.5FMGRPublication.FMGlobalResearch,FMGlobal,1301AtwoodAvenue,P.O.
Box7500,Johnston,RI02919.
FMDataSheet776,PreventionandMitigationofCombustibleDustExplosionsandFire,
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January2005.
G.1.2.6ISOPublication.InternationalStandardsOrganization,1ruedeVaremb,Case
Postale56,CH1211Gen ve20,Switzerland.
ISO61844,ExplosionProtectionSystemsPart4:DeterminationofEfficiencyof
ExplosionSuppressionSystems,1985.
G.1.2.7USBMPublication.U.S.BureauofMinesPublications,NationalTechnical
InformationService(NTIS),5285PortRoyalRoad,Springfield,VA22161.
Conti,R.S.,K.L.Cashdollar,M.Hertzberg,andI.Liebman.1983.ThermalandElectrical
IgnitabilityofDusts.U.S.BureauofMines,ReportofInvestigations,RI8798.
G.1.2.8U.S.GovernmentPublication.U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice,Washington,DC
20402.
Title29,CodeofFederalRegulations,Part1910.146,PermitRequiredConfinedSpace.
G.1.2.9OtherPublications.
Britton.1999.AvoidingStaticIgnitionHazardsinChemicalOperations.NewYork:CCPS,
pp.199204.
Lazzara,C.,andY.Miron.1988.HotSurfaceIgnitionTemperaturesofDustLayers.Fire
andMaterialsJournal12:115126.
G.2InformationalReferences.(Reserved)
G.3ReferencesforExtractsinInformationalSections.
FormalInterpretation
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