There are different kinds of dust so it is important to recognize what type of dust is found in your facility and whether it is listed as an explosive dust by OSHA.  There are agricultural, carbonaceous, metal, chemical and plastic dusts.  Some require more serious management than others.   Here is a listing provided by OSHA.

How does dust cause explosions?

Dust Explosion Pentagon

You may wonder how dust can cause explosions.  For a fire to start there must be three elements – oxygen, heat and fuel.  A simple spark in a confined area like a building, room, vessel or process equipment where explosive dust particles are dispersed in sufficient quantity and concentration can lead to rapid combustion.  “These five factors (oxygen, heat, fuel, dispersion, and confinement) are known as the “Dust Explosion Pentagon”. If one element of the pentagon is missing, an explosion cannot occur.” – OSHA Fact Sheet, March, 2008.

An initial explosion may dislodge additional dust and lead to larger, more destructive explosions.  Activated sprinkler systems may also stir up additional dust and carry the particles to other areas, thus actually spreading the threat of further explosions.

How much dust is too much?

This is a tough question to answer and currently being considered by OSHA.  Currently they state, “The amount of dust accumulation necessary to cause an explosive concentration can vary greatly. This is because there are so many variables – the particle size of the dust, the method of dispersion, ventilation system modes, air currents, physical barriers, and the volume of the area in which the dust cloud exists or may exist. As a result, simple rules of thumb regarding accumulation (such as writing in the dust or visibility in a dust cloud) can be subjective and misleading. The hazard analysis should be tailored to the specific circumstances in each facility and the full range of variables affecting the hazard.” – OSHA. (July 31, 2005). Combustible dust in industry: preventing and mitigating the effects of fire and explosions.

It’s hiding from you

Some of the explosive dust located in your facility may not be easily visible to you.  One deadly pharmaceutical plant explosion was contributed to a build up of explosive dust above a suspended ceiling.  It is important to identify the areas in you facility that dust may accumulate and hide.

NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, also recommends:

• Minimize the escape of dust from process equipment or ventilation systems;
• Use dust collection systems and filters;
• Utilize surfaces that minimize dust accumulation and facilitate cleaning;
• Provide access to all hidden areas to permit inspection;
• Inspect for dust residues in open and hidden areas, at regular intervals;
• Clean dust residues at regular intervals;
• Use cleaning methods that do not generate dust clouds, if ignition sources are present;
• Only use vacuum cleaners approved for dust collection;
• Locate relief valves away from dust hazard areas; and
• Develop and implement a hazardous dust inspection, testing, housekeeping, and control program (preferably in writing with established frequency and methods).

Ruwac is here to help

Ruwac appreciates the seriousness of the potential deadly hazard found in explosive dust and offers a complete line of vacuums ETL Certified to UL and CSA standards for Class I, Div 1, 2, Group D and Class II, Div 1, 2, Group F & G.  Our vacuum systems are made in America from the highest quality materials and custom fit to your needs.  Let’s discuss your explosive dust situation to discern how we can help create a safer environment for your employees and your business.

Is an inexpensive shop vac right for your business?

Home Depot recently advertised an everyday shop-vac for $19.00.  You may have a few lying around your manufacturing plant to suck up that pesky dust that is produced during manufacturing.  They don’t cost much and they do the job, right?

That is probably what Geneva Wood Fuels LLC thought, because they were using “an unapproved spark-producing shop vacuum in a Class II, Division 2 location” (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, (March 9, 2010), Region 1 News Release: 10-205-BOS/BOS 2010-102) to pick up the dust generated during the manufacture of wood pellets.  That $19.00 shop-vac, along with 5 other violations, cost Geneva Wood Fuels, $27,000.

That is cheap, though.  It could have cost a human life – and we can’t put a price on that.  Since 1980, more than 130 workers have been killed and 780 injured in combustible dust explosions in a variety of industries across the nation.

Of course, you could be like Fibrelite and not invest in a vacuum at all.  They got slapped with a proposed $90,500 fine “for fire and explosion hazards at Pawcatuck, Conn., plant” – OSHA, (January 26, 2010), Region 1 News Release: 10-38-BOS/BOS 2010-046.

FRV110 Explosion Proof Vacuum

So – how much is your shop-vac worth?  Investment in a legally certified, explosion proof vacuum cleaner is a small cost to pay to increase safety, life and ultimately your business growth.   Ruwac has been manufacturing explosion proof vacuums for over 30 years.  They are equipped to suggest the right vacuum for your hazardous location and application.

For example, Ruwac’s FRV110 and FRV110H (upgraded to a HEPA filter system) are the only certified explosion proof vacuums on the market that incorporate a TEFC explosion proof motors rated for continuous duty,  while operating on a standard 20 amp service.  The state-of-the-art multi-stage turbine delivers years of maintenance free performance and produces the most CFM available in their class.

With features and guarantees exclusive only to Ruwac’s explosion proof vacuums the FRV110 series of explosion proof vacuum cleaners provides years of maximum safety, high performance cleaning, low maintenance costs, and easy operation. ­

Call Ruwac today (800.736.6288) to insure that you are meeting the OSHA Standards and are keeping your business free from accusation.  The investment in the right explosion proof vacuum cleaner is nothing compared to loss of life.

Spraying powder paint has several advantages that enhance the finish, quality, and longevity of products. The disadvantage of spraying powder is finding the proper equipment to capture the fine material. Recovering powder paint introduces the threat of environmental damages as well as dangerous health issues when inhaled. Choosing a vacuum that is environmentally friendly, and safeguards your workforce- is a very important responsibility.

>Ruwac manufacturers top-quality, long lasting portable and central industrial vacuums that are ideal for picking up powder paint. Our filtration is what separates us from the rest. While vacuuming with a Ruwac Industrial Vacuum, you will never see material discharged into the air stream; we only return clean air back to the environment.

People in the industry realize that conventional shop vacuums fail quickly due to lack of filtration and motor quality. Some vacuums even produce a static shock that could injure the operator. With Ruwac, you get the benefit of a superior filtration system that contains all of the dust within the vacuum and all of our vacuum systems are completely grounded eliminating the risk of static charge.

At last a series of industrial vacuums that powder paint cannot burn out.

Ruwac Industrial Vacuums will increase your productivity; create a healthier work environment- all while saving you money. It’s that simple.