Explosion Protection & NFPA

Dust can be separated into two categories: combustible and non-combustible. Non-combustible dust, as its name implies, will not under predictable conditions ignite, burn, release flammable gases, or support combustion when subjected to fire or heat. Combustible dust on the other hand, when suspended in an oxidizing medium, will pose a fire or deflagration hazard, regardless of size or shape of the dust. Therefore, a potential dust explosion hazard exists wherever combustible dusts accumulate, are handled, or are processed. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international non-profit organization based out of the U.S. that is responsible for creating and maintaining the minimum standards for fire and other hazard prevention. The NFPA was established in 1896 by a group of insurance underwriters focused initially on establishing codes for automated fire sprinklers. Over the years, this organization has created and maintained over 300 consensus codes and standards that influence our lives and safety on a daily basis.

On September 7, 2015 the NFPA 652 Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust 2016 Edition became effective. This Standard will bring about a significant change to the dust collection industry by binding the various Guidelines and Standards from the NFPA related to dust collection together and become the overarching Standard for the industry. The following is a list of Guidelines and Standards from the NFPA related to the dust collection industry that will now be under the NFPA 652 umbrella:

• NFPA 61 Agricultural and Food Processing
• NFPA 68 Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting
• NFPA 69 Explosion Prevention Systems
• NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, Articles 501, 502, 503
• NFPA 91 Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying
• NFPA 484 Combustible Metals
• NFPA 499 Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations
• NFPA 654 Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids
• NFPA 655 Sulfur Fires and Explosions
• NFPA 664 Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities

At SDC, our Engineering Department stays current on all of the NFPA Standards and can ensure that your dust collection system is up-to-date with the latest requirements.