Ignition Sources

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Fire triangle
Heat = Ignition source Fuel = Gas, Vapours , Mists and Dust Oxygen = Air, etc Mix all together and .

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IGNITION SOURCES
By eliminating any one of the sides of the fire triangle, the dangers of a fire or an explosion can be removed. The following slides identify the ignition source, (heat).

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Eliminate ignition sources

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IGNITION SOURCES
Ignition sources can be broken down into two groups. a) Produced by work or maintenance b) Produced by the process

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IGNITION SOURCES
Those which are caused by general work in the plant are: Smoking Open flames Open light (bulbs) Welding Cutting Grinding The above sources can be eliminated by staff training and enforcing adequate working routines, (permits, procedures, etc)
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IGNITION SOURCES
The ignition sources presented by the process itself: Open flames Hot surfaces Self heating, Smouldering and Exothermic decomposition Heat from mechanical impacts Exothermic decomposition of dust via mechanical impacts Electric sparks and electrostatic discharges
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Five most common Ignition sources

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If ignition sources cannot be eliminated then all possible ignition sources that could arise must be considered. Two documents that can be used as references: BS EN 1127-1, Identifies thirteen ignition sources L136 DSEAR ACOPS

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Hot Surfaces

Hot bearings on a motor

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Hot Surfaces
If an explosive atmosphere comes into contact with a heated surface, ignition can occur. Not only can a hot surface itself act as an ignition source. Ignition also depends on the size and shape of the heated body. Where an explosive atmosphere flows past heated surfaces, a higher surface temperature could be required to cause ignition. Examples of ignition sources are: Surfaces of motors, pumps, gearboxes, bearing housing, pipes, cables etc
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Flames

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Flames
Flames from welding or cutting operations are easily sufficient to trigger a dust explosion. Oxyacetylene torches are particularly dangerous as they supply oxygen to the area, and the more oxygen present, the less heat is required to trigger an explosion. Therefore there should be no use of cutting or welding torches in hazardous areas. Smoking should be prohibited anywhere in the plant as a match flame generates 100W of heat energy, which is more than sufficient to ignite an explosive atmosphere.
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Mechanically Generated Sparks

Grinding produces sparks

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Mechanically Generated Sparks

Often referred to as friction sparks, mechanical impacts can cause ignition. This is not to be confused with friction burning (i.e. where a belt slips and slowly heats) which is much less likely to cause an ignition source. Friction sparks can be particularly dangerous if they are between two metals (combinations of aluminium and rust can cause thermite reactions). These can often be caused by falling objects (such as nuts or bolts) or by moving equipment contacting plant items.
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Electrical Apparatus
Loose connections Hot surfaces

Opening and closing of contactors arcs, sparks.

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Stray electric currents

Electrical short circuit Welding

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Static Electricity
Pouring dusts Flowing liquids

Moving Conveyors Walking

Air/steam leaks Agitator/stirring liquids

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Lightning
If lightning strikes in an explosive atmosphere, ignition will always occur

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Radio Frequency

Higher range EMW: Lasers

Lower range EMW: Radio transmitter

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Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation is given off by the sun (cosmic rays), radioactive materials, and high energy electronic devices (X-ray machines).

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Ultrasonics
Large proportion of the energy emitted by the transducer is absorbed by solids or liquids

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Adiabatic compression and shock waves

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Exothermic reactions, including self ignition of dusts

Chemical

Straw

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Controls
Control methods for ignition sources include: Procedures Permit-to-work Area classification

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End of Section

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