Chemical Engineering May 2016 - 75

Solids Processing
NFPA 652: Standardizing
Combustible Dust Standards
The latest NFPA standard applies to many industry sectors, and aims to address the
fragmented nature of the industry-specific standards currently in place
Christopher Frendahl, Brian
Edwards and Jeff Davis
Conversion Technology, Inc.
O
n September 7, 2015,
the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA;
Quincy, Mass.; www.nfpa.
org) issued NFPA 652 (Standard on
the Fundamentals of Combustible
Dust) [1]. There were already several
industry-specific NFPA standards for
minimizing hazards associated with
the handling of potentially combustible
dust and fine particulate materials.
However, these individual
standards do not always align, and
the presence of numerous, competing
standards creates confusion
among operators, and increases
risk at chemical process industries
(CPI) facilities.
The publication of NFPA 652 is the
first step toward creating a single,
unified combustible-dust standard
that would apply to all facilities that
handle potentially explosive dusts
(Figure 1). In addition, NFPA has also
stated that, through its Combustible
Dust Correlation Committee, the
group plans to reformat some of the
current NFPA standards so they become
more aligned with NFPA 652.
NFPA 652 is still in its infancy, and
as with all NFPA standards, it will
continue to be improved and developed
during future revision cycles.
This article provides an update on
the ongoing activities by NFPA, and
discusses what is currently included
in the new NFPA 652 Standard.
Fundamentals of dust hazards
Flash fires and explosions resulting
from potentially combustible dust are
responsible for a significant number
of industrial accidents. However, the
potential for dust-related flash fires
or explosions is often overlooked.
74
How should my facility evaluate and address hazards from combustible dust?
Does your facility generate, handle
or store dust?
Yes
Do you have data on the
combustibility of the dust from the
safety data sheet (SDS) or laboratory
analysis?
Yes
is the dust
combustible?
Yes
Perform dust hazard analysis (DHA)
to determine where combustible dust
hazards exist
No
No
Conduct testing
of the dust
No
is explosion control/mitigation
equipment necessary?
More testing may be required
to determine the severity of the
hazard
Yes
No
Develop and implement hazard-management programs and install
equipment as necessary to mitigate/eliminate the combustible dust hazard
Train employees
Conduct reviews of programs and implement
management of change (MOC) procedures when
materials or processes change
No combustible dust
hazard is present
Figure 1. This decision-tree flowchart provides guidance for faciity operators, as they assess potential
hazards associated with the handling or production of powdered materials that could be potentially flammable
or hazardous under the right conditions
The serious hazards associated with
handling fine dusts and powdered
materials may be overlooked by
many plant personnel because they
are not fully understood.
The Occupational Health and
Safety Administration (OSHA; Washington,
D.C.; www.osha.gov) has
begun to increase awareness of the
hazards associated with cobustible
dust through its National Emphasis
Program (NEP) [2]. The NEP often
cites NFPA standards for combustible
dust, as the NFPA standards
have been written explicitly to both
reduce the risk of a combustible
dust incident, and minimize the hazards
in the event of a flash fire or explosion.
However, as noted, many
of NFPA's existing standards related
ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com may 2016
http://www.nfpa http://www.osha.gov http://www.Chemengonline.Com
Chemical Engineering May 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering May 2016
