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:
- Disinfectant
- Organic solvents
- Treibstoffe
What are the ignition sources?
A 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.
Possible ignition sources:
- Discharge of static electricity
- Electrical malfunctions
- Hot surfaces
- Grinding/friction sparks
- Exothermic reactions
The development of ignition sources is versatile and can therefore never be completely avoided.
What is the burning behavior of substances?
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 (table salt)
BZ 2: Short burning and rapid extinction (tartaric acid)
BZ 3: Local burning or smoldering without spreading (milk sugar)
BZ 4: Spread of smouldering fire (tobacco)
BZ 5: Spread of an open fire (sulfur)
BZ 6: Deflagration-like burning off (black powder)
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 materials must be inspected, cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. 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.
Fire protection technology by ABSAUGWERK
Fires in industrial plants can severely damage employees, machines and production halls and endanger the existence of a company. Metalworking processes such as flexing, grinding or polishing generate dust and sparks that can enter the filter systems during extraction and pose a constant fire hazard. Here, a microprocessor-controlled object protection extinguishing system in accordance with DIN14497 with rapid fire detection provides safety and prevents fires or smoldering nests in extraction systems.
Such safety equipment primarily protects the workforce, but also workpieces, machines, material and buildings.
Fire protection investment vs. follow-up costs:
If the follow-up costs of a fire, such as repairs, production downtimes and delivery delays, are put in relation to the initial costs of a property protection extinguishing system, the marginal investment for the necessary fire protection measures becomes apparent.
Together with Kraft & Bauer, a renowned manufacturer of fire extinguishing equipment, we have developed a multi-stage fire protection concept for our extraction systems based on the preventive fire protection principle. ABSAUGWERK’s fire protection measures offer a reliable solution for detecting and effectively combating sources of fire before they arise. The fire protection concept of our extraction systems thus not only complies with legal requirements, but also prevents fires preventively and minimizes possible damage and subsequent costs.
Sparks are already detected and extinguished in the pipe system by sensors.
If a spark gets into the filter system, additional extinguishing devices are used.
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 framework of production and occupational safety for fire protection measures lies solely with the operator. 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
»Together, we have professionally developed a strong protection concept with ABSAUGWERK, which enables the optimal ratio of price/performance and safety, respectively, for the customer.«
