DSEAR Assessment | Sigma-HSE | Flammability

1. Technical Expert Insight ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratory Dust Collectors: Questions on the risk of fires and explosions Combustible dust explosions are a risk in many areas of a facility, but one of the most common locations is the dust collection system. Dust collectors are used both as collection and receiving vessels for solid dust. They separate dust from an air stream by using an array of filter bags or filter cartridges. These usually collect the finest and therefore the most easily ignited dust in a process. According to FM Global, about 50% of dust explosions occur in the dust collector. For this reason, dust collectors are typically the most commonly protected equipment in a facility. Questions on the Explosion Protection System: 4. Is there an explosion protection system on your dust collector? Is there an containment and suppression system? adequate isolation, 5. Is there a system to detect overpressure due to blockages and or on the onset of explosion? How often are instrumentation for this safety system maintained and tested? 6. Are explosion panels present on your dust collectors? Is it correctly sized based on the flammability data of the finest powders collected? Many collectors handle dust loadings that are below the explosible limit. However, when filter components are cleaned, either by reverse jet or by shaking, explosible concentrations can be reached. In these conditions, an ignition source can be present and thus trigger an explosion. An ignition source may come through: static electricity, mechanical sparking or by incoming burning dust from upstream equipment such as mills or dryers. 7. Where is the explosion relief material being discharged to? Is it in a safe location away from personnel and building structures? In any hazardous area, special precautions have to be taken to ensure that ignition sources are not present and to ensure compliance with ATEX & DSEAR regulations. This includes installation of appropriate electrical equipment, which should only be undertaken by competent personnel, e.g. CompEx certified electricians. Dust Collectors outside of a facility, with explosion relief panels facing a building wall Questions About Your Dust Collection System: Questions on the Control of Electrostatic Discharges: General Process Questions: 8. Is the dust collection equipment and associated pipework suitably grounded to earth? 1. Is there a possibility of flammable vapours entering the dust collectors? i.e. Wet solvent layered dust – if so, is the dust collection system suitably ATEX rated? 9. Is there a maintenance schedule to check at regular intervals to ensure electrostatic continuity to earth is maintained? 10.Are operators given proper DSEAR training and are aware of the importance of controlling potential ignition sources for the dust collection system? 2. Is there any potential for toxic and hazardous emissions being released at the outlet of the dust collector? 3. Are there regular inspection hatches across piping and ductwork to allow for cleaning of dusts? Is there a robust formal housekeeping and monitoring regime for dusts in your collection system? To discuss the above in more detail, or for any other enquiries related to process safety, including ATEX / DSEAR Assessment & flammability testing, please contact our Technical team on info@sigma-hse.com or call on +44 (0)1962 840570 Sigma-HSE (UK) Ltd, Unit 2 Moorside Point, Moorside Road, Winchester, Hants. SO23 7RX

2. Serving Clients Globally from our Offices in Europe, Asia and the Middle East Benefits of Sigma-HSE Services The service offered by our experienced team at Sigma-HSE, is much more than a standalone test result. Functional Safety • Safety Instrumented Systems • Safety Integrity Level (SIL) • Over 100 years of combined testing and consultancy experience to ensure that our accurate and methodically generated test data is applied to your process safety applications correctly to protect your staff, your site, the environment and your brand reputation. Health & Safety • Occupational Safety • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) • Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) • Free technical advice to ensure the correct solution is selected for your needs. Specialist Services • Expert Audit Support • Expert Witness • Incident Investigation • Complementary after sales support, to ensure you are happy with the data and understand the implications for you project. Practical and cost-effective interpretation is where Sigma- HSE Consulting Engineers can also bring a wealth of expertise from many years’ experience providing process safety solutions to national and multi-national companies. Our range of Process Safety Consultancy services extends to: Technical Training Bespoke in-house training covering: • • • • • • • • • • • • Dust Explosion Hazards Fire & Explosion Hazards Electrostatic Hazards Establishing a Basis of Safety ATEX / DSEAR Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) Process Safety in your Plant Identifying Process Hazards COMAH / Seveso III HAZOP LOPA / QRA Incident / Near Miss Investigation ATEX / DSEAR • Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) • Hazard & Risk Assessment • Basis of Safety Definition • Electrostatic hazards • Data Interpretation • Dust Vent Calculations • Vapour Calculations • EPD • Mechanical & Electrical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessment For further information on how Sigma-HSE can solve your process safety issues and become an active partner in safety call our Technical Manager on +44 (0)1962 840570 or email your enquiry to info@sigma-hse.com. Seveso III / COMAH • Major Accident Prevention Policy (MAPP) • Occupied Building Risk Assessment (OBRA) • Safety Management Systems (SMS) • Environmental Assessment • Emergency Response • Safety Report Assessment Manual (SRAM) Contact Details Sigma-HSE (UK) Ltd, Unit 2 Moorside Point, Moorside Road, Winchester, Hants., SO23 7RX, UK Specialist Safety • Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) • Hazards & Operability Study (HAZOP) • Process Hazard Assessment (PHA) • Hazard Identification Study (HAZID) • Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) Tel: +44 (0)1962 840570 Email: info@sigma-hse.com, Web: www.sigma-hse.com www.sigma-hse.com ©2019 Sigma-HSE (UK) Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1962 840570