Mitigating Combustible Dust Hazards

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.

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.

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.