Chemical Engineering May 2016 - 79

(PPE) to be worn during housekeeping
operations, as well as instructions
and training on how to properly use
all equipment. In addition, the facility
should ensure that all hot work being
done onsite complies with NFPA 51B.
The areas where hot work is being
done must be cleaned before beginning
the hot work, and all equipment in
the area should be shut down.
NFPA 652 also states that facilities
should conduct an assessment
of workplace hazards, according to
NFPA 2113, in order to determine
if flame-resistant (FR) clothing is required.
FR clothing is designed to
not ignite when it comes into contact
with a flame. If the assessment
indicates that FR clothing is required,
the facility must offer appropriate FR
clothing to all affected employees.
Closing thoughts
NFPA 652 is the first step of many
to consolidate and integrate a variety
of NFPA standards that are intended
to help reduce the risks for facilities
producing or handling potentially
combustible dusts and fine powdered
materials. This new standard
requires that all facilities create a
sampling plan to test fine powdered
materials from different locations and
equipment, in order to determine if
it is combustible or potentially explosive.
If any of the dust samples pose
a combustible dust hazard, a qualified
person must conduct a DHA
to determine how likely it is that a
combustible dust incident will occur
in a room or piece of equipment by
evaluating the dust. Hazards assessments
such as this are carried out by
identifying any ignition sources, and
evaluating any protection or suppression
systems that have been
implemented. Once the DHA has
been completed, the facility should
work to prevent or minimize the hazards.
The facility should repair any
leaks in equipment where fugitive
dust is released into the work environment,
and deflagration protection
or suppression systems should be
installed on at-risk equipment. Safe
housekeeping procedures should be
developed, and the facility should
ensure that all employees and contractors
have been trained.
While there is still a lot of work to
be done by the NFPA dust standards
committees, facilities throughout the
CPI should begin to familiarize themselves
with the new NFPA 652 standard,
to be in compliance with the
new standard. It cannot be stated
strongly enough that CPI facilities
must work aggressively and consistently
toward minimizing the risk of
combustible dust fires and explosions
wherever fine, powdered materials
are produced or handled.n
Edited by Suzanne Shelley
References
1. National Fire Protection Association, " NFPA 652: Standard on the
Fundamentals of Combustible Dust - 2016 Ed., " Sept. 7, 2015;
Accessed at: www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/documentinformation-pages?mode=code&code=652
2.
Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), " Combustible
Dust National Emphasis Program (Reissued), " March 11,
2008; Accessed at: www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/
CPL_03-00-008.pdf
Authors
Christopher Frendahl is an environmental
engineer with Conversion
Technology, Inc. (2190 N.
Norcross Tucker Rd, Norcross, GA
30071; Email: cfrendahl@
conversiontechnology.com). His
professional work involves carrying
out combustible dust hazard
evaluations, implementing hearing-conservation
and noise-study
Content Licensing for
Every Marketing Strategy
Marketing solutions fit for:
* Outdoor
* Direct Mail
* Print Advertising
* Tradeshow/POP Displays
* Social Media
* Radio & Television
Logo Licensing |
Reprints |
Eprints | Plaques
Leverage branded content from Chemical Engineering to create a more
powerful and sophisticated statement about your product, service, or
company in your next marketing campaign. Contact Wright's Media to
find out more about how we can customize your acknowledgements and
recognitions to enhance your marketing strategies.
For more information, call Wright's Media at 877.652.5295 or visit our
website at www.wrightsmedia.com
programs, and implementing industrial hygiene and industrial
safety programs. Frendahl holds a B.S. in mechanical
engineering from Georgia Tech.
Brian Edwards, P.E., is director of
engineering for Conversion Technology,
Inc. (Same address as
above; Phone: (770) 263-6330,
ext. 103; Email: bedwards@
conversiontechnology.com). Edwards
holds a B.S. in in civil and
environmental engineering from
Georgia Tech. He is a licensed
professional engineer with more
than 15 years of experience as a consultant to industry.
As a member of the National Fire Protection Association,
he is a Principal on the committee for NFPA 61, the
standard for dust fire and explosion prevention in the
agricultural and food processing industries. He has also
worked with the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust
technical committee on NFPA 652 - the overarching
Standard on Combustible Dust.
Jeff Davis, P.E., is senior engineering
manager for Conversion
Technology, Inc. (Same address as
above; Phone: (770) 263-6330,
ext. 116; Email: jdavis@
conversiontechnology.com). Davis
holds a B.S. in chemical and
biomolecular engineering from
Georgia Tech. He is a licensed
professional engineer with more
than 10 years of experience as a consultant to industry.
He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical
Engineers (AIChE), and the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA). He has extensive experience conducting
combustible dust hazard analyses (DHAs), process
hazard analyses (PHAs), and designing fire- and explosion-protection
systems at diverse facilities in a number
of industries, including: chemical manufacturing, food
processing, lumber and wood products, metal forming,
and automotive and aviation parts.
78
ChemiCal engineering www.Chemengonline.Com may 2016

http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/ http://www.wrightsmedia.com http://www.Chemengonline.Com

Chemical Engineering May 2016

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