Dust Collector

Dust Collector

According to DustSafetyScience.com, nearly 15% of all industrial fires and explosions in North America involve collectors. As OSHA safety standards drive increased use of these systems across various manufacturing processes—ranging from wood working to food processing—they have become essential for removing hazardous particulate. However, they also pose a significant fire risk, making it critical for industries to prepare for and address this hazard.

Hazard Overview

Primary Hazard: Dust Particulate

Dust particulate consists of fine particles generated during industrial processes like cutting, sanding, or material handling. These particles can accumulate in dust collection systems and settle on surfaces within manufacturing environments. Over time, the buildup of dust can clog the system, reducing its efficiency and increasing the risk of fire. This buildup poses a significant fire hazard, as combustible dust can ignite if not properly managed and contained within the dust collector system.

Secondary Hazard : Filter Material

The actual filter - often made of flammable material - is a hazard. That, paired with the dust captured by the collector, significantly increases its hazardous nature. A single spark landing on this filter material is enough to trigger a fire, compromise your machine, and put people at risk. Particles can ignite and rapidly spread, causing fires to escalate throughout the entire dust collector system if not properly addressed. Filters serve a necessary function here. That is why taking action to mitigate associated risks are just as important.

Our Solution

Our CO2 Total Flooding fire suppression system works by “flooding” the hazardous area with CO2, ridding the space of oxygen, in turn suppressing the fire that initiated. With our pneumatic detection, it operates without power and eliminates false alarms, providing reliable fire protection anytime, all the time.

Our CO2 system leaves no residue, so there's no need for extensive cleanup after activation. This comprehensive system effectively suppresses fires, preventing significant damage to your collectors, safeguarding your staff, and protecting your building.

NOTE: While CO2 can be hazardous in high concentrations, our system is specifically engineered to ensure that the gas rapidly dissipates to safe levels in the case that the agent escapes the discharged area. This proactive approach ensures that our CO2 system not only protects your equipment but also safeguards the well-being of everyone in the building.

Firetrace has protected collectors for the past 20 years and works closely with a variety of OEMs to protect your people, facility and keep your shop running smoothly. We provide systems that comply with NFPA 12 and NFPA 654 which ensure they are fit for your needs.

FAQs

Are dust collectors dangerous?

No. Dust collectors help get rid of hazardous particulate that can be a safety concern for both the workers and the facility. The dust particulate that accumulates in these machines and the filter material do pose a risk.

What is the difference between fume collector and dust collector?

Fume collectors are designed to target and filter much smaller, airborne particles and are most often present in industries like welding and laser cutting. Dust collectors handle larger particles like dust, sawdust, or other particulate generated by processes like cutting, grinding, or sanding. They are commonly used in woodworking, paper processing, and other manufacturing environments where large amounts of dust or solid particulates are produced.

How frequent do fires in collectors occur?

According to DustSafetyScience.com, collectors account for nearly 15% of all industrial related fires. That means more than 1 in 10 fires originate in collectors.