Dust collectors are essential in controlling dust, but they themselves present certain hazards unless properly operated and protected. Standards & Regulations that apply to dust collectors include: S.5.10 of the Ontario Fire Code, S.18 of the Ontario Electrical Code, NFPA 654, NFPA 664, NFPA 91, NFPA 68, NFPA 69, and various FM Global Standards for combustible dust. The first step in determining whether there is a combustible dust hazard is to look at the dust particle size, the humidity level and/or have the dust tested by a company such as FIKE Canada.
The use of a dust collector involves a risk of ignition or explosion that creates a condition of imminent hazard to a person’s health or safety. A dust collector that collects aluminium, magnesium or other fine dust easily ignitable nature must be located:
a) Outdoors
b) In a room used solely for the housing of dust-collecting equipment and which is:
i.) Separated from the rest of the building by a dust-tight partition having a minimum fire resistance rating of one hour.
ii.) Constructed to provide explosion venting to the outdoors.
HITE Engineering regularly provides the following services to facilities that process combustible dusts:
