Testing your plant or manufacturing facility for possible hazardous dust or combustible dust will seem perplexing until you understand simple terminology outlined by OSHA, NFPA and other regulating authorities. An effective facility safety plan will include periodic but regular Dust Hazards Analysis (DHA). The results of routinely updated testing will dictate types of vacuums, if needed, and when vacuums need to be altered. If your dust is found to be non-explosible and your processes do not change, then testing will be needed with less frequency.
First, here are some key terms to know for how your dust will be tested per US ASTM and European EN standards:
Minimum Autoignition Temperature of a Dust Cloud - (MIT)
- ASTM E1491 - Determines Safe Operating Temperatures at Which a Dust Cloud Will Not Autoignite
- EN50281-2-1:1999 - Electrical Apparatus for Use in the Presence of Combustible Dust - Part 2-1: Test Methods - Methods for Determining the Minimum Ignition Temperatures of Dust
Hot Surface Ignition Temperature of Dust Layers - (LIT)
- ASTM E2021 - Identifies Dangerous Operating Temperatures at Which a Dust Layer Will Self-Heat
- EN50281-2:1999 - Electrical Apparatus for Use in the Presence of Combustible Dust - Part 2-1: Test Methods - Methods for Determining the Minimum Ignition Temperatures of Dust
Minimum Ignition Energy - (MIE)
- ASTM E2019 - Standard Test Method for Minimum Ignition Energy of a Dust Cloud in Air
- EN13821:2002 - Potentially Explosive Atmospheres - Explosive Prevention and Protection - Determination of Minimum Ignition Energy of Dust/Air Mixture
Please enjoy our latest video to demonstrate these terms and tests. For more videos or help, please see below or contact: Mark Yukich at dustgroup@fauske.com, 630-321-4788
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