On-demand Control System for Dust Collecting compatible with NFPA

NFPA 660: The New Standard for Combustible Dust Compliance

Introduction – Why NFPA 660 Matters

On December 6, 2024, NFPA 660: Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids (2025) was officially released, consolidating six previously separate standards into one comprehensive document. This major shift affects industries handling combustible dust, including woodworking, metalworking, food processing, and industrial ventilation.

For facilities managing dust collection systems, staying compliant with NFPA 660 is critical. This expert breakdown by Dust Safety Science provides additional insights on how the standard consolidates previous combustible dust regulations. The good news? If you were compliant with previous standards like NFPA 664 (Wood Processing Dust) or NFPA 652 (Dust Fundamentals), the core dust collection requirements remain the same.

However, the structure of the standard has changed, and businesses must ensure their documentation and Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) align with NFPA 660’s framework. In this article, we break down what’s changed, what it means for dust collection compliance, and how Ecogate’s smart ventilation solutions ensure you meet the new standard effortlessly.

What Changed? NFPA 660 vs. Previous Standards

Prior to NFPA 660, combustible dust compliance was spread across six different standards:

• NFPA 61 – Agricultural and Food Processing

• NFPA 484 – Combustible Metals

• NFPA 652 – Dust Fundamentals

• NFPA 654 – Chemical Dusts

• NFPA 655 – Sulfur

• NFPA 664 – Wood Processing Dust

NFPA 660 was designed to unify and streamline combustible dust regulations, ensuring a more consistent and enforceable approach across industries. It absorbs these standards, creating a single document that industries must follow.

However, instead of eliminating important industry-specific details, NFPA 660 retains them in dedicated chapters:

• Chapters 1-10 – Fundamental Requirements (replaces NFPA 652)

• Chapters 21-25 – Industry-Specific Requirements:

  • Chapter 21: Agriculture & Food (previously NFPA 61)

  • Chapter 22: Combustible Metals (previously NFPA 484)

  • Chapter 23: Sulfur (previously NFPA 655)

  • Chapter 24: Wood Processing & Woodworking (previously NFPA 664)

  • Chapter 25: Other Combustible Dusts (previously NFPA 654)

NFPA 660 & Dust Collection Compliance

Industry-Specific Compliance Under NFPA 660

NFPA 660 applies across multiple industries handling combustible dust, including wood processing, metalworking, food production, and chemical manufacturing. Each industry has unique dust collection needs, which are covered in dedicated chapters:

• Wood Processing & Woodworking (Chapter 24) – Facilities must maintain minimum transport air velocity, ensure explosion protection, and conduct routine DHAs to manage fine sawdust hazards.

• Metalworking (Chapter 22) – Operations generating fine aluminum, magnesium, and titanium dusts must follow stricter containment & filtration protocols to prevent ignition risks.

• Other Industries – NFPA 660 also covers agriculture (Chapter 21) and chemical dusts (Chapter 25), ensuring all combustible dust hazards are managed properly. Dust collection remains a central focus in NFPA 660, with key compliance requirements found in Chapter 9 (Hazard Management) and Chapter 24 (Wood Processing & Woodworking).

Key NFPA 660 Dust Collection Requirements:

1. Maintain proper air velocity & volume in ductwork

   • NFPA 660 emphasizes minimum transport air velocities to prevent dust accumulation.

   • Ecogate’s On-Demand Control System dynamically adjusts airflow to keep duct velocity within compliance.

2. Conduct a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA)

   • NFPA 660 mandates that all facilities perform a DHA to identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.

   • If your facility previously conducted a DHA under NFPA 652 or 664, it remains valid but must align with NFPA 660’s framework.

   • Chapter 7 of NFPA 660 mandates that all new and existing facilities handling combustible dust must conduct a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) and update it regularly to reflect any changes in operations.

3. Implement Proper Explosion Protection Measures

   • NFPA 660 reinforces NFPA 68 (Deflagration Venting) and NFPA 69 (Explosion Prevention).

   • Ecogate’s smart gates help prevent pressure buildup by adjusting airflow in real-time.

4. Housekeeping & Dust Control

   • Facilities must minimize dust accumulation through proper containment & cleaning protocols.

   • Centralized vacuum systems and on-demand ventilation improve compliance while reducing energy waste.

5. Equipment Design & Maintenance

   • NFPA 660 Chapter 9 outlines strict guidelines for dust containment, airflow regulation, and equipment maintenance to prevent dust accumulation and ensure system efficiency.

6. Emergency Planning & Response

   • For the first time, NFPA 660 introduces Chapter 10, requiring facilities to have a documented Emergency Planning and Response strategy for combustible dust incidents.

What Facilities Need to Do to Stay Compliant

With NFPA 660 now in effect, facilities must take proactive steps to ensure compliance and safety:

• ✅ Review your Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) – Ensure it aligns with NFPA 660’s new chapter structure.

• ✅ Verify dust collection system performance – Maintain minimum conveying velocities and containment standards.

• ✅ Ensure explosion protection is up to date – NFPA 660 strengthens venting & prevention requirements.

• ✅ Consider automation to simplify compliance – Automating dust collection with Ecogate’s On-Demand Control System reduces human error and ensures compliance with Minimum Conveying Velocities, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.

Conclusion & Next Steps

NFPA 660 simplifies combustible dust compliance by consolidating multiple standards, but the core dust collection requirements remain the same. The shift is mostly structural, but businesses must ensure they align with the new framework.

💡 Ecogate’s On-Demand Control System is designed to help facilities stay compliant with NFPA 660 by optimizing airflow, preventing dust accumulation, and reducing energy waste—all automatically.

👉 Want to ensure your dust collection system meets NFPA 660 standards? Contact our experts today to learn how Ecogate can help you stay compliant effortlessly.

Ales Litomisky

David Vera