Posted By chris Hi all My co has a number of DCE type dust extractors and some larger units. One of our composite dusts has been tested and shows some degree of flammability (given the right conditions). Occasionally we have a fire in the dust plant (perhaps one a year)and although this can result in damage to filters etc we have never had an explosion. Does anyone know of practical measures / mods that we can incorporate without spending heavily on new ATEX compliant equipment? Thanks CF

Posted By chris Paul, Thanks for the reply...Although we never pinned down the exact cause of the fires, it is likely that the source of ignition was either; a)friction caused by a machining operation, (igniting a 'birds nest' of swarfe in a hood.) or b)static. The product material concerned is a composite containing resin bonded cloth. CF