Preventing Combustible Explosions in Factories

The Dangers of Combustible Dust Explosions

What happens to you in an explosion?

First your ears blow out, at about 3.4 PSI, then your eyes…then your lungs and other organs rupture at around 40 PSI. Quora

This graphic explanation reveals the harsh reality of fiery explosions. As shown in the image above, four workers lost their lives, and 42 more sustained injuries due to explosions caused by combustible dust.

WoodIndustry.ca

You might think that gas explosions, which can demolish entire neighborhoods, are far more potent than those caused by wood dust. However, according to the Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology:

unlike gas explosions having maximum explosion pressure at near chemical stoichiometric concentration, both the maximum explosion pressure and the maximum rate of explosion pressure of wood dusts appeared at three times or much higher equivalence ratio. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology

Understanding Combustible Wood Dust Explosions

Fires can ignite explosions in dirty workplaces. Such explosions can be extremely dangerous! The video below explains why settled dust poses a significant hazard in sawmills and wood shops, increasing the risk of fires and explosions that can cause catastrophic injuries, loss of life, and destruction of buildings.

WorkSafeBC

Factories are designed to be productive environments, where everyone works together toward a common goal. Workplaces should not be explosive traps that put lives at risk. Maintaining a clean and safe workplace not only protects employees but also ensures the continuity of the business.

Reducing Fires and Explosions in Factories

Modern technology offers solutions that can greatly reduce the risk of fires and explosions in factories. It's essential to explore how today's technologies can help you maintain a safe working environment. Spark detection systems, backdraft valves, and various fire suppression methods play crucial roles in keeping factories safer.

Is your workplace adequately equipped? Intelligent controllers have proven to make the workplace cleaner, quieter, and safer by controlling airflow and exhausting particulates when and where they are produced. This eliminates settling in the main duct, greatly reduces in-factory dust accumulation, and, when programmed correctly, works in harmony with all fire suppression elements.

Dust Collector Causes Fire

KCEN News

PSA: Stay out of the news…

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If you would like to learn more about workplace compliance or need assistance with ensuring a safe environment, feel free to reach out to us for a free system analysis.