Technician doing in-plant Dust Hazard Analysis | AST EngineeringDHA Helps to Make the Decisions

Combustible Dust Hazards are a concern for every industry and plant – in particular, pharmaceutical, food/agriculture, plastics/polymers, metal, wood, cosmetic, and manufacturing. A DHA helps to form a plan to mitigate the possibility of an explosion. A DHA is necessary for all existing facilities where combustible dust is present and should also be completed whenever processes are enlarged or added to a facility.

Simple Go/No-Go Tests

A Simple Go/No-Go dust tests can be done by collecting dust samples and sending them to us for analysis. These tests are inexpensive and can determine if an explosive dust hazard exists in your plant. This can help save a lot of time and heartache.

These simple tests help to make proper design decisions, meet safety standards and stay ahead of the game when it comes to combustible dust hazards.

Comprehensive In-plant Analysis of Dust Hazards

A Combustible Dust Hazard Analysis or Assessment (DHA) is a comprehensive look at your dust within the complete framework of your workplace, its operations and equipment. AST Engineering offers a wide range of services related to Dust Hazards Analysis including characterizing, preventing and mitigating combustible dust explosions and fire hazards.

Mitigation of Combustible Dust Hazards

If a combustible dust hazard exists AST Engineering can design systems using components like rupture discs, flameless venting, pressure relief valves and other explosion safety products to make your plant safe for employees and to prevent catastrophic explosions that will destroy equipment and other capital assets.

How Dust Hazard Analysis Works

AST Engineering combustible dust experts visit your facility to evaluate your receiving, storage, use, processing and disposal of all “powder” materials.  They will evaluate existing dust management programs, handling practices, equipment, fire/explosion suppression systems, warning devices and onsite extinguishing capabilities.  Possibilities for fugitive dust control will also be identified where appropriate.

Complete Dust Hazard Mitigation Design Services

AST Engineering offers complete system design services for new installations and retrofitting existing machinery. Through a combination of dust collection equipment and explosion mitigation products, we can design a system that will keep your people and assets safe from fire and explosion.

AST Engineering also provides the following services:

  • Incident investigation for dust explosions and fires
  • Evaluate compliance with relevant national, local and industry standards
  • Electrostatic hazards assessment – e.g. grounding and bonding issues
  • Recommendations for explosion hazard risk reduction
  • Identify dust sampling points and collect samples for dust explosibility testing

NFPA and M.O.L. Combustible Dust Compliance

  • Preparation for an M.O.L. Combustible Dust inspection, including appropriate responses to inspector’s questions
  • Perform a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) for M.O.L. compliance
  • Documentation review for NFPA and M.O.L. Combustible Dust requirements
  • Testing services to meet all NFPA and M.O.L. Combustible Dust requirements
  • Conduct employee training to comply with M.O.L. Combustible Dust requirements

Additional Services

  • Vent size calculations for new or existing equipment
  • Ignition source evaluation (NFPA 654 and 77)
  • Development of process safety programs to manage combustible dust hazards or integration of combustible dust hazard management into existing process safety programs.