cs explovent guide

7/25/2019 Cs Explovent Guide

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Is it worth the risk?

The need for testable, resettable explosion

venting panels.


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Combustible dust, gas and chemical explosionsremain 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 youre involved with a facility where potentially

explosive atmospheres, materials or processes exist, you

know that its critical for your pressure venting system to

function according to its design parameters as a means

of limiting damage.

Imperial Sugar Factory Explosion - 2008

Fourteen people were killed and 42 injured

when a dust explosion occurred at a sugar

refinery owned by Imperial Sugar.

Learn More
http://hub.am/1n0iOgIhttp://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 processesexist. 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. Fuel3. 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)


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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 gasesto 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 testedand 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 - 3-1.1A deflagration vent is an opening in an enclosure through which burned andunburned 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


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Where is Explosion Venting required?

Any facility where potentially explosive atmospheres exist requires

explosion venting. Facilities handling hazardous materials arerequired 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.


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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 towithstand 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.


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What is the difference between FM and NFPA

The Factory Mutual Research Corporation is an organization financially supported by

three Industrial Risk Insurance Companies. FMs 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, low inertia panel design, allows quick venting and theprotection of the facility

System can be field tested for release through non-destructivemeans

Explovent, with its unique hinged design and resettable latch,can handle frequent cycling. Minor wind driven activation will notcompromise the system

Smooth bevelled surfaces on the panel reduce dust accumulationand allow for ease of cleaning, a key to eliminating secondary dustexplosions

Our rotating hold open device protects the structure from implosionforces as super heated gases begin to cool

EXPLOVENT FEATURES

C/S Explovent is the only field testable and resettable explosion and pressure

relief venting system on the market.

Explovent wall panels are engineered and fully calibrated at the factory to

release at very low design pressures.

The panels are lightweight in order to react quickly to pressure build up. They

are also testable at any time and resettable after an event.

Explovent has been designed to protect a structure of a building during

deflagration.

Deflagration is an explosion that propogates at a velocity less than the speed

of sound. The r isk surrounding high explosive compounds is generally oneof detonation, i.e. an explosion that propogates at a velocity greater than the

speed of sound. High explosives therefore fall outside the parameters to which

Explovent has been designed.

Compliant with ATEX 95 (directive 95/9/EC of the EuropeanParliament and the Council Concerning Equipment and ProtectiveSystems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres) andits replacement ATEX 2014/34/EU directive

Explovent meets the guidelines of N.F.P.A. 68 Standard on ExplosionProtection by Deflagration Venting

Explovent meets the guidelines of FM 1-44 and includes FM testedand approved models, which are listed on the online FM APPROVALGUIDE www.approvalguide.com

CODE COMPLIANCE



Explovent vs. other Solutions

Explovent is the only venting system that can be

tested at any time to periodically verify workingcondition.

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 saveon labour costs

Blowout siding requires timely on site-engineeringbefore 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 orrooftop installation; as well as a range of natural day

lighting options

Siding can only be provided on walls, with manysystems 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/Ss team of professionals

EXPLOVENT ALTERNATIVE BLOWOUT SIDING



Normal Condition

Explovents patented

release mechanism is

factory calibrated for

release at very low

pressures, yet keepspanels closed until an

event occurs.

During an Explosion

ATEX compliant Explovent

panels are lightweight to

release quickly during an

explosion.

After an Explosion

Once the pressure of an

explosion has been

relieved the panels return

to a near closed position

allowing air to return intothe room to address

implosion concerns

How Does Explovent Work?


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Explovent Wall Panels Overview

ExploventWall Panels are suitable for applications in facilities where potentially explosive atmospheres exist and require explosion venting.

The panels are designed to be the weakest part of the external structure. As the explosion vent experiences pressure rise, it opens quickly allowing the

rapidly expanding heated gasses to be released to the outside, and thereby diffuses a potential explosion.

ERP-IC INSULATED ALUMINIUM PANEL

Insulated and well sealed panel to provide a draft free environment.

The panel comprises 50mm polystyrene core with 0.81mm

aluminium sheet facing both sides, set within an aluminium frame.

ATEX compliant and CE marked

FM tested and approved

Designed in accordance with NFPA 68 guidelines and all fire codes

ERP-PC - TRANSLUCENT POLYCARBONATE PANEL

Translucent panels include high strength polycarbonate inserts and reduce the need

for artificial lighting. The 16mm thick, translucent polycarbonate insert is set within an

aluminium frame.

ATEX compliant and CE marked

Designed in accordance with NFPA 68 guidelines and all fire codes

PRODUCT OPTIONS


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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

Kelloggs

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.


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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(A

s)

Pred

Where:A

v = vent area (m)

C = venting parameter

As = internal surface area of enclosure (m)

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 COMPLIANCE

In order to comply with ATEX 95 each panel must weigh less than 10kg/m and satisfy the

following equation:

A V0.753


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How do I accommodate the proper wall

and vent area?

If you calculate the vent area and it turns out that you

dont have enough wall space to accommodate therequired 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.


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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 thesystem. 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 EXPLOVENTPANELS?

Top hinged panels are the most commonly specified system. If they open, they willcome 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.


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Is it worth the risk?

For more information on our Explovent

Range please visit:

http://c-sgroup.co.uk/products/explovent-

explosion-venting/

cs explovent guide

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