Our Solutions: Testing
Our UK laboratory generates flammable & explosive test data for your combustible dust and powders.
The Dust Combustibility (Group A/B) test is conducted to assess whether dust or powder will form a flammable atmosphere or support flame propagation when dispersed as a dust cloud in the open air. This test categorises dust or powder into one of two groups:
Combustible (Group A) – Flammable or explosive
Non-Combustible (Group B) – Non-flammable or non-explosive
Sigma-HSE is your single solution provider for a full range of combustible dust & powder flammability testing.
Our dedicated team of experts are committed to helping you ensure that your dusts and/or powders will not generate a combustible dust explosion so you can maintain workplace safety and comply with the regulators.
BS EN ISO IEC 80079-20-2
This test is conducted to assess whether dust or powder will form a flammable atmosphere or support flame propagation when dispersed as a dust cloud in the open air. It’s a purely qualitative test that categorises dust or powder into one of two groups:
Combustible (Group A) – Flammable or explosive
Non-Combustible (Group B) – Non-flammable or non-explosive
Varying concentrations of dust are dispersed into a 20L explosion vessel and exposed to a 2-kJ ignition source. Piezoelectric transducers then monitor the vessel’s atmosphere for ignition in the form of pressure rise.
Dust and powders that are found to be combustible (Group A) will present a flammable atmosphere when dispersed as a cloud. If a sufficient ignition source is present then there are serious risk of hazardous situations arising.
This can include combustible dust hazards, explosions or fires that may result in product loss and potential operator injury or fatality. Further testing is required to establish a suitable basis of safety for each process or operation of a combustible (Group A) dust and/or powder.
Dust particles that are found to be non-combustible (Group B) will not present a flammable atmosphere when suspended in air as a cloud. As a result, dust and powders that are found to be Group B are not subject to the conditions stipulated in explosive atmosphere legislation DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) or ATEX (Atmosphere Explosive) in regard to dust cloud explosion hazards.
Ignition of a dust layer or bulk deposits through thermal decomposition may still present a risk and further dust testing should be considered. Discover more about our Air Over Layer, Bulk Powder (Diffusion Cell), Aerated Cell and LIT tests.
This screening approach can save the need to conduct further dust explosion dispersive testing to establish a suitable basis of safety for processing the substance.
Even materials that are not originally dust within your process can wear down, with dust accumulation leading to potentially combustible materials. If worn materials are dispersed into dust clouds, the risk of dust explosions may still exist. The Dust Combustibility test is your first step towards establishing the need for protection measures.
Receive quick and accurate MIE testing data in just a few simple steps
Get in touch with one of our experts so we can learn more about your specific process, unit operations and combustible dust testing requirements. We'll then generate and send you a customised quote.
Prepare your combustible dust samples and ship them to one of our laboratories (UK or India).
Once we've received your potentially combustible dust or powder samples, we'll begin testing and analysing. We'll then create and send you a custom in-depth report detailing the potentially hazardous properties of your materials.
If you need support after receiving your report, our after-project support team will be on hand to assist you with any questions you may have about your combustible dust or powders. We can also aid you in your understanding of what combustible dust explosion hazard prevention measures will be most suitable for your processes.
We also undertake the following combustible dust tests to simulate a primary dust explosion, secondary dust explosion and/or dust ignition:
Please contact us if you have any bespoke combustible dust or powder testing requirements, or if you require consultancy services related to powder and combustible dust explosion safety.
Whether your process uses wood dust, coal dust or metal dust, getting your hazardous materials tested is an important step to prevent a combustible dust explosion, flash fire or other process-related hazards. Get in touch to learn more about how we can assist you in keeping your process plant and unit operations safe from combustible dust and powder explosions.
Sigma-HSE is a globally recognised process safety company that provides a range of testing, consulting and training solutions.
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