Fire Risks - Risk Assessment

Risks, Assessment, & Solutions

/
/
Risk Assessment

How Dangerous is Your Process?

IF YOU HANDLE COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL, AS FOR EXAMPLE COMBUSTIBLE DUST, THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION:

  • Identify your risk zones.
    Examples of risk zones:
  • Identify your Ignition Source Generators (ISG)
    Examples of ISGs
  • What is the oxygen level? The oxygen content needs to be above 11% for combustion to take place.
  • Turbulence; if there is less turbulence in the environment, the fire risk is higher.
  • Find the Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT) for the material in your process. (see table)
  • Find the Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) for the material in your process. (see table)
  • Is the dust concentrated in a layer or in a cloud? In general, dust in a layer ignites at lower temperatures than in a cloud. (see table)

Minimum Ignition Temperature and Energy Level

Cloud temperature (celsius)
Cloud temperature (fahrenheit)
Layer temperature (celsius)
Layer temperature (fahrenheit)
Min. Cloud Ignition Energy
Wood
470
878
260
500
0,04
Wheat Flour
440
824
440
824
0,06
Cellulose
480
896
270
518
0,08
Sugar
370
698
400
608
0,03
Cocoa
510
950
240
464
0,10
Aluminum
610
1130
326
619
0,01
Coffee
720
1328
270
518
0,16

Source: NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

  • What is the particle size and shape? In general, smaller particles ignite more easily and are more explosive.
  • What is the moisture content of the material in your process? In general, a dryer material means a higher risk of fire.
  • What are your process-specific parameters, i.e. amount of material, transport speed, duct diameter, chute size, etc.?
  • Do you have high-risk machinery that need protection (flame detection and water mist suppression)?