Dust

Explosions
Presented by:

R.Sathishbabu.IDipNEBOSH
sathishrbabu@asia.com

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 Dust Explosions
Topics for Trainings
1.What is dust?
2.Why does dust explode?
3.What are the effects of dust explosions?
4.Where can dust explosion atmosphere be formed ?
5.Area classifications
6.How to prevent or mitigate the effect of a dust explosion?
7.Types of Equipment's to be used in Dust Explosion areas ?
8.Incidents
9.Further knowledge ( Reference Guides )

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 Dust Explosions
1) What is dust?
Dust is tiny, dry particles in the air and can be produced when materials are cut, drilled,
demolished, sanded, shoveled, etc. This means many work activities can create dust .
Examples includes :
a) Silica dust generated during the time of its extractions.
b) Wood dust also known as sawdust , generated during woods processing
c) Coal dust – experienced by coal miners or process operators during the time of processing.
d) Asbestos , flour and Grains are also considered as dust.

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2. Why does dust explode?

Explosive atmospheres can be caused by flammable gases, mists or

vapors or by combustible dusts. If there is enough of the substance,
mixed with air, then all it needs is a source of ignition to cause
an explosion

Explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture of dangerous substances

with air, under atmospheric conditions (Temp of –20°C to 40°C
and pressures of 0.8 to 1.1 bar ) in the form of gases, vapors,
mist or dust in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads

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3. What are the effects of dust explosions?
Dust explosions can result in
 Deaths or serious injury
 Damages to plant and machinery’s
 a large fireball
 Secondary explosions
 Fire etc.….

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4. Where can be Dust Explosive atmosphere be formed?

Many workplaces may contain, or have activities that produce, explosive or potentially explosive
atmospheres. Examples include places where work activities create or release flammable gases or vapors,
such as vehicle paint spraying, or in workplaces handling fine organic dusts such as grain flour or wood .

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ) warns that more than 1 / 32 of an inch of dust over five
percent of a room's surface area presents a significant explosion hazard.

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1995 – 2006 CsB Data
Wood Grains Synthetics Coal Metals Paper Others

2% 6%
Total No of Explosions: 106
9%

39%
9%

13%

22%

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5 Area Classifications .

• A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is
Zone 20 present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.

• A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is
Zone 21 likely to occur in normal operation occasionally

• A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is
Zone 22 not likely to occur in normal operation, but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only

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Although a cloud of flammable dust in air may explode violently, not all mixtures will do so. The
concentration of dust and air must be within the upper and lower explosive limits for the dust involved

NAME Upper explosive Limit ( UEL) Lower Explosive limit ( LEL)

Acetylene 100 2.5

Carbon monoxide 74 12.5

Methane 17 5

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6. How to prevent or mitigate the effect of a dust explosion?

A simple way of assessing the risk of fire or explosion is to start with Risk assessment ( RA) , which must to consider :

 Can my dust explode?

 Where could dense dust clouds form?
 What is the source of sparks ?
 How often is this ( Likelihood)
 What is likely to be effected (Severity) ?
 What is the present control and further controls ( if any ) is required ?
 Who is responsible for control and its maintenance

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7) Types of Equipment's to be used in Dust Explosion areas ?
Electrical and non electrical equipment

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8) Incidents

a) Imperial sugar factory Explosion , US due to sugar grain dust – 13 Died - 2007
b) CTA Acoustics Unit – US – due to combustible resin dust – 7 Workers died – 2003.
c) Hayes Lemmerz International – US , due to aluminum dust - 1 Died – 2003

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9) For Further Knowledge – Reference Materials
9) https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg103.pdf
 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) – Regulations
 www.csb.gov

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