Chapter 22 Combustible Dust-Producing Operations

This chapter shall govern combustible dust-producing operations, and the equipment and processes utilized in connection with such operations in order to minimize and mitigate dust explosion hazards.

Permits shall be required as set forth in FC105.6.

Combustible dust-producing operations, including manufacturing, processing and handling operations, shall be conducted in accordance with this chapter. All devices, equipment, systems and processes utilized in connection with such operations shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with this chapter.

The following terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings set forth in FC202.

COMBUSTIBLE DUST.

DEFLAGRABLE WOOD DUST.

It shall be unlawful to smoke, or use heating or other devices employing an open flame or spark-producing equipment, in areas where combustible dust is generated, processed or otherwise stored, handled or used.

Accumulation of combustible dust shall be kept to a minimum indoors. Accumulated combustible dust shall be collected by vacuum cleaning or other means that will not place combustible dust into suspension in air. Forced air or similar methods shall not be used to remove dust from surfaces. When a normally inaccessible area such as a duct or cockloft is made accessible for purposes of an alteration, repair or other reason, any accumulation of combustible dust shall be removed from such area.

An approved dust collection system shall be installed and/or other measures taken to collect and otherwise manage combustible dust generated by combustible dust-producing operations in order to prevent or mitigate combustible dust explosions. Facilities in which combustible dust-producing operations are to be conducted shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the industry or product-specific standards set forth in FC Table 2204.1.

FC TABLE 2204.1
EXPLOSION PROTECTION STANDARDS

STANDARD	SUBJECT
NFPA 61	Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities
NFPA 69	Explosion Prevention Systems
NFPA 85	Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code
NFPA 120	Fire Prevention and Control in Coal Mines
NFPA 484	Combustible Metals
NFPA 652	Fundamentals of Combustible Dust
NFPA 654	Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids
NFPA 655	Prevention of Sulfur Fires and Explosions
NFPA 664	Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
Electrical Code	Electrical Installations

A dust hazard analysis shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA 652 upon commencement of combustible dust-producing operations for any operation generating visible atmospheric dust and/or dust accumulations at locations other than the point of dust generation, to determine whether:

1. the equipment designed and installed to collect combustible dust and other mitigation measures is effective in achieving its design objectives and is preventing fugitive dust; or
2. the operation is generating an amount of combustible dust as to require the installation of combustible dust collection equipment and other mitigation measures.