Fire protection
for extraction systems
Preventive fire protection in extraction technology
Fires are caused by the combination of oxygen, an ignition source and combustible material. Unlike explosions, they are often not immediately recognizable. Deposits in the pipe system or the extraction system itself, can cause dangerous smoldering nests, which do not immediately form high smoke columns and can remain unnoticed for a long time. For this reason, preventive fire protection measures for exhaust systems as well as effective monitoring and extinguishing systems are absolutely necessary.
What are flammable dusts?
Combustible dusts include organic materials or metal powders. Difficult to burn in their normal structure, combustible as a fine dust-air mixture, or even highly explosive.
Flammable solids:
- Plastics
- Organic substances (flour, coffee, starch, cellulose …)
- Metals (aluminum, magnesium …)
Flammable gases:
- Natural gas
- Hydrogen
- Acetylene
Flammable liquids:
Disinfectants, organic solvents, fuels.
What are the ignition sources?
spark, which can be caused by electrical malfunctions or pulling a plug, can be sufficient as an effective ignition source. Other ignition sources include hot surfaces or sparks from grinding/grinding or static electricity such as that generated by friction or movement, the discharge of which can also produce sparks.
Ignition sources:
- Discharge of static electricity
- Electrical malfunctions
- Hot surfaces
- Grinding/friction sparks
- Exothermic reactions
How can fires be prevented?
Basically, operators must take all measures to prevent the formation of a fire or explosive dust-air mixture. This can be technically implemented by means of appropriate extraction systems or dedusting systems. Furthermore, equipment that comes into contact with flammable/explosive substances must be regularly checked, cleaned and maintained. As an additional safety measure, sensor-controlled extinguishing equipment is recommended, which detects sparks and smoldering nests at an early stage and extinguishes them automatically.
- Fire protection compliant construction of facilities
- Regular cleaning
- Regular maintenance
- Extinguishing system
What happens when the extinguishing device trips?
If the spark sensor triggers the extinguishing agent device (water, powder, CO2), the extraction system switches off automatically. For further operation, only the filter unit and discharge have to be cleaned, a new extinguishing bottle inserted and the filters checked and replaced if necessary.
Possible ignition sources
Flames, sparks, electricity, hot surfaces, spontaneous ignition, exothermic reactions.
The development of ignition sources is versatile and can therefore never be completely avoided.
Burning behavior of materials
The burning behavior is given in burning numbers from one to six and allows a rough estimate of how deposited dust may ignite and behave after ignition.
BZ 1: No burning (common salt)
BZ 2: Short burning and rapid extinction (tartaric acid)
BZ 3: Local burning or smoldering without spreading (lactose)
BZ 4: Spread of a smouldering fire (tobacco)
BZ 5: Spreading of an open fire (sulfur)
BZ 6: Deflagration-like burning (black powder)
Fire protection technology by ABSAUGWERK
The design principle of our systems is based on preventive fire protection measures that eliminate and monitor possible sources of fire in advance. This is achieved through maximum separation efficiency, high air velocities and special fire protection components.
Fire protection components dry extraction
- Pre-separator
- Spark detection
- Automatic extinguishing device: water, powder, CO2
- Smoke detector (optical, thermal)
- Gate valve
- Extinguishing flap (manual extinguishing)
- C-connection for flooding
- High air velocity in the pipe min. > 20 m/s
- Automatic shutdown of the system
- Construction free of ignition sources and conductive
- Negative pressure and volume flow monitoring
- Automatic cleaning (offline)
- Precoat unit
Fire protection components wet separator
- Pre-separator
- Spark detection
- Automatic extinguishing device: water, powder, CO2
- Smoke detector (optical, thermal)
- Gate valve
- Extinguishing flap (manual extinguishing)
- C-connection for flooding
- High air velocity in the pipe min. > 20 m/s
- Automatic shutdown of the system
- Construction free of ignition sources and conductive
- Negative pressure and volume flow monitoring
Legal requirements
The responsibility within the scope of production and occupational safety for fire protection measures lies solely with the operator, as there are no clear regulations here. With this in mind, we are happy to offer you individual advice and recommend the use of an effective extraction system.
Fire protection checklist
We recommend the following measures:
- Hazard assessment by an accredited fire and explosion protection officer, e.g. TÜV, DEKRA, insurance company
- Keeping a fire protection regulation ready
- Operation of the loading equipment only by trained personnel
- Regular fire drills
- Keeping an extinguishing bottle ready
- Annual maintenance and cleaning of the system
- Regular emptying of the discharge system
