Mitigating Combustible Dust Hazards

You need to mitigate combustible dust hazards. If your plant has dust accumulating in receiving and loading facilities, plugged duct work, or accumulation above 0.031” in process enclosures, there is a substantial risk to your facility. NFPA 652 requires that the facility owner(s) complete a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) along with confirmation of the collection system performance, operation, and documented maintenance evaluation as part of their permanent onsite records.

At Schust™, we help industrial facility owners take it step-by-step as a third-party provider for assessment, confirmation, documentation, improvement, or replacement of ventilation systems. Schust has been helping facility owners and operators safely mitigate combustible dust hazards in their ventilation systems for decades. Learn how Schust can help mitigate combustible dust hazards and what to do with your process afterwards. We are your partners in success and can support you and your facility in reaching your ventilation compliance goals.

STEP 1: INSPECTION

Schust™ technicians visually inspect the current physical condition of dust collector(s), system components, and building areas containing potentially combustible dust.  Goals for preventive maintenance would be to confirm existing installation capacities, equipment condition, proper application, and performance.

  • Technicians document existing dust control systems air volume, static and velocity pressure, and filter pressure drop.
  • A process flow diagram is developed to illustrate all sources of potentially combustible dust.
  • Schust™ documents areas where combustible dust accumulation is an issue with your existing process.
  • If necessary, dust samples are collected and can be coordinated for testing to determine their combustion characteristics.

STEP 2: CONDUCT A DHA PER NFPA 652 STANDARDS

Schust™, with decades of internal experience and in coordination with external consultants, can help facility owners perform a DHA based on the results of the inspection.  The DHA will first identify which parts of the process and stages of operation (steady state, start up, shut down, emergency shut down) represent fire, flash fire, and explosion hazards.  Then, Schust™ will move through the process equipment and enclosures and identify safe operating ranges to eliminate those risks.  As risks are identified that may require additional mitigation, like mechanical isolation, venting, or chemical suppression,  Schust™ can help plant owners decide which technologies are the most cost-effective way to keep the facility safe because of our experience with all approved suppression and venting suppliers.  Schust™ will document mitigating steps and provide a plan to complete it.

STEP 3: IMPLEMENT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

Schust™ is a long-standing partner for a variety of industrial facilities and can assist owners in completing a DHA plan with combustible dust projects of all sizes, from minor hood adjustments to new complete dust collection systems with venting and chemical suppression.  In-house engineering, fabrication, and installation capabilities means plant owners have one partner in meeting NFPA requirements from start to finish.

Schust™ technicians have over 50 years of field and engineering experience in electrical and mechanical backgrounds versatile for your site assessment.  They know how to identify and assess operational conditions vs. problems, that’s the experience Schust™ brings to your site.

Please note: Per NFPA 652, the plant/facility owner(s) are responsible for combustible dust that may be present in their facilities.  The owner(s) should consult with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Haysville, KS, June 12, 1998. Explosion damage at grain elevator south end. Photo by Phil Kirk/FEMA News
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