When Dust Ignites: Why Dust Management Should Be A Priority

Insurance professionals are well aware that dust may contribute to losses. Consequently, many underwriters decline to write risks for industries such as woodworkers, furniture manufacturers, and grain mills due to the challenge of managing dust, which is a by-product of these trades.

Grain mills are particularly susceptible to fire and explosion hazards due to the presence of combustible dust generated during the handling and processing of grains. Ignition sources, such as sparks or heat, can ignite the dust, leading to severe property damage, injuries, and fatalities.

The presence of combustible dust suspended in the air is one of the primary reasons for explosions in grain mills. This microscopic particle of dust can be ignited by an ignition source if the flammable range is within the limits, and the resulting explosion, where ventilation is insufficient, can be devastating. Suspended dust can also quickly spread, causing a more extensive fire or explosion, particularly if ventilation is inadequate.

Compared to settled dust, suspended dust poses a much higher risk of fire and explosion due to its larger surface area, which makes it more prone to ignition. Perhaps you have seen some of the many experiments on YouTube where corn starch, among other combustible dust experiments, is placed in a small container. They attempt to ignite the corn starch with a lighter, but nothing happens. When a straw is introduced with a small hole in the container to blow air into, add the ignition source, and boom, an explosion occurs. So, the air introduced splits the dense batch of corn starch into suspended particles, which are then ignited.

A tragic real-life example of the extent of a dust explosion occurring in a leisure context is the color party at Formosa Fun Coast Water Park in Taiwan in June 2015, where a cornstarch dust explosion caused multiple fatalities and hundreds of injuries.

Proper management of ignition sources is essential. Friction is often a source of ignition, as it causes additional energy to be expended, which appears as heat. Once this happens, the fire triangle may be complete, as you already have air, heat, and your fuel dust suspended in the air. If ventilation is inadequate and the range is within the limits, a dust explosion may be on the cards.

The risk of a dust explosion applies not only to the agricultural industry but also to other industries where combustible dust is a by-product of the process, such as chemical, metal, and plastic manufacturing or processing trades.

In conclusion, regular cleaning and maintenance of equipment and facilities are necessary to reduce dust accumulation and control ignition sources such as static electricity and friction. It is equally important to install suitable and specific-to-the-operation systems to ensure proper ventilation, collection, extraction and suppression. These systems should work uniformly to maintain a safe work environment and protect both employees and property.