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Is it worth the risk?The need for testable, resettable explosion venting panels.

www.c-sgroup.co.ukwww.c-sgroup.co.uk

Combustible dust, gas and chemical explosions remain one of the deadliest realities plaguing processing and storage plants in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Dust related fires and explosions cause injury and death of workers, and complete destruction to buildings, can you afford not to use Explosion Venting?

If you’re involved with a facility where potentially explosive atmospheres, materials or processes exist, you know that it’s critical for your pressure venting system to function according to its design parameters as a means of limiting damage.

Imperial Sugar Factory Explosion - 2008Fourteen people were killed and 42 injured when a dust explosion occurred at a sugar refinery owned by Imperial Sugar.Learn More

http://hub.am/1n0iOgI

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Why use explosion venting?

The issue of venting violent overpressures is a critical one for owners of facilities where potentially explosive atmospheres, materials, and processes exist. Recent statistics indicate that the average damage due to explosions in industrial establishments is approximately £2.05 million, compared to £126,000 for fire. The possibility of an explosion occuring must be seen as a real concern considering only three common elements must be in place for an event to occur:

1. Ignition source

2. Fuel

3. Confinement

Types of industries where explosion venting is used and required

• Pharmaceutical Production• Chemical Production• Petroleum Industry• Paint, Varnish Manufacturers• Energy/ Mining Industry• Co-Generation Plants• Recycling Centers• Sewage Treatment (by-product recycling)• Automotive (air bag, mfg. Plant lines)• Grinding/Pulverizing processes (airborne dusts)• Ink Manufacturers

• Paper Process (solvent use/storage)• Laboratory Test Facilities• Hospitals (gas and/or flammable storage areas)• Brewery Facilities (grain storage/processing)• Fossil Fuel Plants (coal dusts)• Food Processing (airborne dust)• University Labs (chemical lab store rooms)• Grain Milling Facilities (airborne dusts)• Nuclear Power Stations• Printing Companies (solvent use/storage)


How should Explosion Venting work?

An explosion vent is designed to be the weakest part of the external structure. As the explosion vent experiences the pressure rise, it opens quickly allowing the rapidly expanding heated gases to be released to the outside. By doing so, the internal walls, floor, and ceiling are spared from the damaging overpressure experienced during a deflagration.

To successfully limit damage to the vented area, vent design and the pressure resistant structure must be in keeping with guideline authority recommendations. As such, C/S Explovent® explosion relief systems have been designed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 68 Venting of Deflagrations guideline and Factory Mutual 1-44 Damage Limiting Construc-tion document. Explovent® has been tested, approved, and labeled by Factory Mutual and tested and approved by the Canadian Center for Mineral and Energy Technology for explosion relief applications.

The National Fire Protection Association is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on explosive events. Its guideline document NFPA 68 Venting of Deflagrations, provides specific recommendations for the design and operation of explosion vents.

Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is less than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium constitutes as a deflagration.

• NFPA - 2-1.4 “Deflagration venting is one means of controlling damage caused by deflagration explosions. By releasing expanding gases through an opening it is possible to reduce the pressure below the level that would cause damage.”

• NFPA - 3-1.1 “A deflagration vent is an opening in an enclosure through which burned and unburned material expands and flows. In many cases it is impractical and economically prohibitive to construct an enclosure that will withstand or contain such pressures.”

NFPA 68 Venting of Deflagrations


Where is Explosion Venting required?

Any facility where potentially explosive atmospheres exist requires explosion venting. Facilities handling hazardous materials are required by numerous building codes to provide adequate safeguards against explosions. The following code and guideline authorities specify the requirements for explosion venting and set standards of protection that must be met.

• National Fire Protection Association Guide NFPA 68 (1998) Explosion Venting

• BOCA National Building Code (1999) Section 417.5.1

• SBCCI Standard Building Code (1999) Section 407.2.2

• SBCCI Standard Fire Code (1999) Section 611, 2203.1.16

• ICBO Uniform Building Code (1997) Section 307.10

• ICBO Uniform Fire Code (1997) Section 8004.2.2.4

• International Building Code (2000) Section 415.5.1

• International Fire Code (2000) Section 911

• National Fire Code (Canada) section 3.2.8.2, 4.2.9.6, 4.3.13.3, 4.8.3.1, 4.8.4.2, 5.3.1.6 and 5.6.1.5

• National Building Code (Canada) Section 6.2.2.5

Explosions can happen in any building that contains hazardous materials. Any material capable of reacting with an oxidising medium can be classified as fuel. Fuels with concentrations between their lower and upper flammable limits are considered combustible.


What is considered to be a fuel?

According to NFPA 68 2-3.1 fuel is considered to be:

“Any material capable of reacting rapidly and exothermically with an oxidizing medium can be classified as a fuel. A fuel can exist in a gas, liquid, or solid state. Liquid fuels that are dispersed in air as fine mists, solid fuels that are dispersed in air as dusts, and hybrid mixtures pose similar deflagration risks as gaseous fuels.”

CONSEqUENCES OF EXPLOSIONS

NFPA 68 - 3-2.1

“Damage can result should a deflagration occur in any enclosure that is too weak to withstand the pressure from a deflagration. The area of the vent must be large enough to limit the deflagration pressure to some predetermined safe level. In addition to the deflagration pressure, there is a thermal hazard associated with the flame. This thermal hazard exists both within the enclosure and in the path of the vented flame.”

NFPA 68 - 3-2.4

“The effect of a deflagration depends on the maximum pressure attained, the maximum rate of pressure rise, and the duration of the peak pressure. The total impulse imparted to the enclosure is reduced as the vent area increases. However, total impulse is not a useful design basis. The stress developed on the enclosure is calculated on the basis of the equivalent static load.”

NFPA 68 - 3-2.6

“When a gas or dust deflagration is vented, a tongue of flame of brief duration issues from the vent. Unburned dust will be ignited as it flows out the vent and can produce a large fireball that can extend not only outward and upward, but also downward from the vent. This has been shown in numerous tests conducted with full-scale equipment.”


What is the difference between FM and NFPA

The Factory Mutual Research Corporation is an organization financially supported by three Industrial Risk Insurance Companies. FM’s research, engineering, education, testing, and approval are aimed at the risk reduction and property protection of its policyholders through the setting and implementation of construction and operation practices.

The National Fire Protection Association is an independent organization whose inter-est is the development of codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides for the education and furthering of fire safety practices in North America and around the world. Members include individuals, corporations, trade, or professional associations, institutes, fire departments, fire brigades, and any other private or public agencies desiring to advance the purposes of the association.

WHy IS FM TESTING NEEDED?Insurance companies offer premiums to companies who provide tested and approved products on their buildings. FM offers the only test facility in the world with the ability to duplicate warehouse-sized protection schemes and loss scenarios.

WHy IS FM APPROVAL IMPORTANT?Third party independent approval is your assurance that the product or system in question has been tested and approved to be compliant with specified standards for both its manufacture and performance. This is further enforced through random man-ufacturing audits.


What is Explovent?

• Lightweight,lowinertiapaneldesign,allowsquickventingandtheprotectionofthefacility

• Systemcanbefieldtestedforreleasethroughnon-destructivemeans

• Explovent,withitsuniquehingeddesignandresettablelatch,canhandlefrequentcycling.Minorwinddrivenactivationwillnotcompromisethesystem

• Smoothbevelledsurfacesonthepanelreducedustaccumulationandallowforeaseofcleaning,akeytoeliminatingsecondarydustexplosions

• Ourrotatingholdopendeviceprotectsthestructurefromimplosionforcesassuperheatedgasesbegintocool

EXPLOVENT FEATURES

C/SExploventistheonlyfieldtestableandresettableexplosionandpressurereliefventingsystemonthemarket.

Exploventwallpanelsareengineeredandfullycalibratedatthefactorytoreleaseatverylowdesignpressures.

Thepanelsarelightweightinordertoreactquicklytopressurebuildup.Theyarealsotestableatanytimeandresettableafteranevent.

Exploventhasbeendesignedtoprotectastructureofabuildingduringdeflagration.

Deflagrationisanexplosionthatpropogatesatavelocitylessthanthespeedofsound.Therisksurroundinghighexplosivecompoundsisgenerallyoneofdetonation,i.e.anexplosionthatpropogatesatavelocitygreaterthanthespeedofsound.HighexplosivesthereforefalloutsidetheparameterstowhichExploventhasbeendesigned.

• CompliantwithATEX95(directive95/9/ECoftheEuropeanParliamentandtheCouncilConcerningEquipmentandProtectiveSystemsIntendedforUseinPotentiallyExplosiveAtmospheres)anditsreplacementATEX2014/34/EUdirective

• ExploventmeetstheguidelinesofN.F.P.A.68‘StandardonExplosionProtectionbyDeflagrationVenting’

• ExploventmeetstheguidelinesofFM1-44andincludesFMtestedandapprovedmodels,whicharelistedontheonlineFMAPPROVALGUIDEwww.approvalguide.com

CODE COMPLIANCE


Explovent vs. other Solutions

Explovent is the only venting system that can be tested at any time to periodically verify working condition.

Blowout siding cannot be field tested to verify working conditions outside of an explosion.

Explovent is re-settable after testing and does not need to be replaced after usage.

Blowout siding can only be used once, and must be replaced after opened.

Explovent arrives on-site fully calibrated - ready to install.

Blowout siding employs shear bolts and fasteners and thus is highly dependent on proper installation by site labourers.

Explovent can be installed quickly and easily to save on labour costs

Blowout siding requires timely on site-engineering before installations

Explovent is lightweight and engineered in accord-ance with NFPA 68 code and OSHA guidelines

Blowout siding systems are typically larger and heavier than NFPA standards recommend.

Explovent can be tested at any time to ensure that panels are functioning as intended

Without the ability for testing, blowout siding can be extremely unreliable.

Explovent provides venting solutions for either wall or rooftop installation; as well as a range of natural day lighting options

Siding can only be provided on walls, with many systems being unable to provide functional, aesthetic solutions.

Explovent has Factory Mutual (FM) and ATEX ap-proved models

Blowout siding systems cannot be non-destructively tested and are often not labeled. How can you tell that they work?

C/S has over 35 years of experience in specialty venting and is recognized as the leader in providing complete, code-compliant solutions

Independent contractors lack the technical expertise and experience seen with C/S’s team of professionals

EXPLOVENT ALTERNATIVE BLOWOUT SIDING


Normal ConditionExplovent’s patented release mechanism is factory calibrated for release at very low

pressures, yet keeps panels closed until an

event occurs.

During an ExplosionATEX compliant Explovent panels are lightweight to release quickly during an

explosion.

After an ExplosionOnce the pressure of an

explosion has been relieved the panels return to a near closed position allowing air to return into

the room to address implosion concerns

How Does Explovent Work?


Explovent Wall Panels OverviewExplovent®WallPanelsaresuitableforapplicationsinfacilitieswherepotentiallyexplosiveatmospheresexistandrequireexplosionventing.

Thepanelsaredesignedtobetheweakestpartoftheexternalstructure.Astheexplosionventexperiencespressurerise,itopensquicklyallowingtherapidlyexpandingheatedgassestobereleasedtotheoutside,andtherebydiffusesapotentialexplosion.

ERP-IC – INSULATED ALUMINIUM PANELInsulatedandwellsealedpaneltoprovideadraftfreeenvironment.Thepanelcomprises50mmpolystyrenecorewith0.81mmaluminiumsheetfacingbothsides,setwithinanaluminiumframe.

• ATEXcompliantandCEmarked

• FMtestedandapproved

• DesignedinaccordancewithNFPA68guidelinesandallfirecodes

ERP-PC - TRANSLUCENT POLYCARBONATE PANEL Translucentpanelsincludehighstrengthpolycarbonateinsertsandreducetheneedforartificiallighting.The16mmthick,translucentpolycarbonateinsertissetwithinanaluminiumframe.

• ATEXcompliantandCEmarked

• DesignedinaccordancewithNFPA68guidelinesandallfirecodes

PRODUCT OPTIONS


Companies that put their trust in Explovent

• BD Diagnostics• Basell Polyolefins• PPG Industries• Astra Pharmaceuticals• Guiness• Rhone Poulenc• 3M Healthcare• Ford Motor Company• Merck Sharp and Dohme• Lexmark• Schering Plough• Limerick Hospital• Pfizer• Coca Cola• National Physical Laboratory• Bayer Crop Science UK• Kimberly Clark• Proctor & Gamble• Motorola• General Motors• Kellogg’s

• Micron• Endo Pharmaceuticals• 3M Companies• Walter Reed Hospital• Brookhaven Labs• TRW• Amoco• Nestle• Nissan• Dow Chemical• Ashland Chemical• Wrigley• Siemens• DuPont• Dole Foods• EPA Laboratories• Glidden Paint• Goodyear• Gillette• Hershey Chocolate

Construction Specialties has helped many companies worldwide find cost effective solutions to potential explosion and pressure relief hazards.

Please note, use of customer name does not constitute an endorsement of our product by the customer.


How do I size my vents?

VENT AREA CALCULATION

Under NFPA 68 guidelines the minimum required vent area for low-strength enclosures is determined by the following equation:

Av = C(As)

√Pred

Where:

Av = vent area (m²)C = venting parameterAs = internal surface area of enclosure (m²)Pred = maximum pressure developed in a vented enclosure during a vented deflagration (bar)

NOTE: Vent area can also be calculated using FM 1.44 guidelines. Please contact us for details.

ENSURING ATEX 95 COMPLIANCEIn order to comply with ATEX 95 each panel must weigh less than 10kg/m² and satisfy the following equation:

A ÷ V0.753 <0.07

Where:A = geometric vent area of vent (m²)V = Volume of enclosure to be protected by explosion venting (m³)


How do I accommodate the proper wall and vent area?

If you calculate the vent area and it turns out that you don’t have enough wall space to accommodate the required venting, try the following solutions:

1. Consider re-orientating your room so that the long wall is an exterior wall.

2. Relocate the room to an outside corner so that two exterior walls are available.

3. Locate the room as an extension off an exterior wall to allow for three exterior walls.

4. Consider venting through the roof as well as the wall(s).

5. As room surface area plays a key role in the vent area calculation, consider reducing room size or height.

6. Similarly, within the vent area formula, if the strength of the pressure resistant structure is increased the required vent area is reduced.


At what value should my vents be set to release?

The vents should be set as low as practical, yet remain in place during wind storm conditions. In general 20 lb/ft2 is accepted as that practical value. The NFPA sug-gests a maximum of 30 lb/ft2 in areas subject to severe wind conditions whereas FM recommends a maximum of 40 lb/ft2

HOW EASy ARE EXPLOVENT® EXPLOSION VENTS TO OPEN?

The latch of a 4’ x 8’ panel specified to release at 20 lb/ft2 would be calibrated to release when experiencing a 320 lb force. In order to open the panel from the out-side, a point load pull of 320 lb right at the latch position would be required. This is fairly significant and difficult when you consider the smooth exterior finish of the system. Also, if you specify a bottom hinged panel in these security areas, you raise the latch point to a minimum of 8’ above grade or roof level making the application of this point load even more difficult.

Consideration may also be given to specifying factory applied burglar bars or other electronic measures for detection.

WHy HAVE BOTTOM VS. TOP HINGED EXPLOVENT® PANELS?

Top hinged panels are the most commonly specified system. If they open, they will come to a near closed position once the internal and external pressure has equal-ized. In this near closed position, the canopy effect offers the facility protection from wind, rain, and snow. Whereas a bottom hinged panel will remain open at ap-proximately 60 degrees from vertical, thus allowing easy entry of the elements.

Bottom hinged vents would most commonly be specified when panels are located at ground or at roof level where snow drifting might be a concern. It is much easier for a bottom-hinged panel to open downward on top of the drift than have a top hinged unit power through the snow.

www.c-sgroup.co.uk

Is it worth the risk?For more information on our Explovent Range please visit: http://c-sgroup.co.uk/products/explovent-explosion-venting/

is it worth the risk? - cs global · is it worth the risk? the need for testable, resettable...

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