It takes less time than you may realize to start results, tests must also be conducted in accordance
an explosion. Dust and gas explosions are deadly with ASTM and CEN standards. Some material
and commercially devastating. Unfortunately, tests available include:
many of them occur at facilities without a prior
explosion incident, providing a false sense of secu- Dust Explosivity Screening of a Dust Cloud
rity. Leading insurance firms estimate the direct Prior to performing more specific tests to de-
costs of an explosion typically run in excess of one termine explosibility parameters such as KST
million dollars, with many unprotected explo- and PMAX, a series of tests can be performed to
sions leveling plants and/or closing businesses. The determine whether the sample in question can
reality is that many facilities have inherent risks produce a dust deflagration at all. The latest ver-
that should be addressed to prevent an inevitable sion of ASTM E1226 Standard Test Method for
catastrophe. Explosibility of Dust Clouds includes a proce-
When it comes to safety and protection in dure for performing a simple explosivity screening
dealing with dust explosions, there is little margin test. Tests are conducted at a few dust concentra-
for error -- effective testing, product analysis and tions covering a wide range, exposing the resulting
explosion risk management are critical. The first dust clouds to a sufficiently strong ignition source.
step in hazard analysis is to effectively determine Analysis of data is performed to determine wheth-
the materials combustible or explosive nature. To er any test conducted produced sufficient pressure
assure proper execution and interpretation of the to meet the qualification for ignition.