Important Notes

1) If left electrically ungrounded, type C FIBCs

(groundable bags) can give rise to a higher
explosion risk than type A and B (insulating)
FIBCs.
2) It is not possible to make general
recommendations for the safe use of type D
FIBCs under all operating conditions. In
particular:
The existing type D FIBCs that incorporate
antistatic yarns and an antistatic coating
can still create a localized electrostatic
field around the FIBC. Ungrounded
conductive objects that may be present in
the close proximity of such charged FIBC
could become polarized and become
charged by the process of induction. Such
charged objects could give rise to
subsequent spark discharges which could
be a potential ignition source. Hence it is
recommended that conductive objects in
close proximity of type D FIBC need to be
electrically grounded.
3) Incendive sparks may occur during filling and
emptying of type D FIBCs if the surface of the
FIBC is partially covered by an electrically
conductive substance (e.g. a wet patch)
4) Irrespective of the type of FIBC used, and
depending on the electrostatic properties of
the powder and the powder handling
equipment (for example, whether the plant is
conductive or insulating, grounded or
ungrounded) other electrostatic ignition
sources may still exist.
5) Conductive powders (having volume
resistivity < 106Ohm.m) could accumulate
electrostatic charges in type A, B, or even D
FIBCs (in the absence of direct ground
connection), it is recommended to use only
type C FIBC with conductive powders to avoid
spark discharges from the powder material
 When to use Antistatic FIBCs:

Type C FIBC
Electrically Conductive)
(groundable&

Bulk Product: MIE

Non-Flamable Explosive Dust Explosive Gas and
(Minimum Ignition
Atmosphere Atmosphere Vapor Atmosphere
Engergy) of Dust
MIE > 1000 mj A,B.C,D B,C,D C,D
1000 mJ > MIE 3 mj B,C,D B,C,D C,D
MIE < 3 mj C,D C,D C,D
FIBC Type C Bag Grounding and
Monitoring
 Both IEC 60079-32-1 (13.4.1) and NFPA 77
(7.4.1.6) & (7.4.1.4) state:
Temporary connections can be made using bolts,
pressure-type earth(ground) clamps, or other
special clamps. Pressure-type clamps should
havesufficient pressure to penetrate any
protective coating, rust, or spilled materialto
ensure contact with the base metal with an
interface resistance of less than 10 .

Atminimum a groundingclamp with FM/ATEXapprovals