GREENWICH, N.Y. — A recent compilation of nationwide grain dust bin explosions recorded nine incidents in 2022, up two from 2021. Over the past 10 years, there have been an average of 7.8 explosions annually in the U.S.
Kingsly Ambrose, a Purdue University professor and author of the study, states that despite the increase in explosions, no fatalities were reported.
Additionally, according to fireengineering.com, a study in 2006 from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board identified 261 dust-related fires from 1980-2005. The fires caused 119 fatalities and 718 injuries.
What causes these incidents? How do these dust explosions occur?
Fire needs four elements, known as the Fire Tetrahedron: Oxygen, Heat, Fuel, and a Chemical Chain Reaction.
For a dust event to occur there must be an ignition source such as oxygen and fuel (dust), and the dust must be suspended in the atmosphere and confined in a location where pressure exerts itself against the container.
“Often, five of the conditions needed for a grain dust explosion to occur are present in most grain feed, milling and processing facilities,” Ambrose said. “These conditions include dust, dispersed dust, confined space and oxygen. The presence of the fifth factor, an ignition source such as overheated bearing or mechanical friction, could lead to an explosion.”
OSHA states a wide variety of materials that can be explosible in dust form exist in many industries. Examples of these materials include: food (e.g., candy, sugar, spice, starch, flour, feed), grain, tobacco, plastics, wood, paper, pulp, rubber, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, coal, metals (e.g., aluminum, chromium, iron, magnesium, and zinc). These materials are used in a wide range of industries and processes, such as agriculture, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, furniture, textiles, fossil fuel power generation, recycling operations, and metal working and processing which includes additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
How to Prevent
According to Fire Engineering, most plants and processing facilities have dust collection systems which are designed to contain, capture, convey, and collect dust. Dust is collected from a blower or conveyed into an air material separator (AMS). The AMS is a collection device that filters out the dust.
The National Fire Protection Association suggests using the three C’s approach: Contain, Capture and Clean. First try to contain with equipment, and if you cannot contain it you want to capture it with a dust collection system. Lastly, clean the remaining dust so it does not present a hazard.
What to do to keep your farm or facility safe
What to do to prevent an event from happening? Make sure your prevention maintenance is up-to-date and everything is clean and operational.
Also reach out to your local fire department and set up a time to have them walk through your facility. That way they can preplan your facility and have an idea of what your layout looks like and where your systems are. It provides departments good training opportunities with the myriad hazards they may encounter during an emergency.
Patrick Moran graduated from Morrisville State College and completed his bachelor’s in Journalism and Sport Management at SUNY Brockport. Patrick worked in public relations as well as in the landscaping industry before becoming an editor with Morning Ag Clips. He is also a volunteer firefighter in Western New York.