NFPA 652: Changes affecting DHAs from 2020

NEW MANDATORY REGULATION
The 2016 revision to NFPA 652 made Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) mandatory for all businesses creating, handling or transferring explosive dusts. The deadline for completing a DHA was September 7, 2020. This legal requirement is enforced by OSHA. If you have not yet completed a DHA, you are liable to fines or worse from OSHA and other regulatory bodies.

WHAT IS A DHA?

NFPA 652 defines a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) as “a systematic review to identify and evaluate the potential fire, flash fire or explosion hazards associated with the presence of one or more combustible particulate solids in a process or facility.” It is only the review must be completed by September 7. Any recommendations coming out of it can be completed after that date. A common recommendation is to verify that existing explosion panels are designed per NFPA 68.

NFPA 68 is the standard on explosion protection by deflagration venting. It covers the design, location, installation, maintenance, and use of devices and systems that vent the combustion gases and pressures resulting from a deflagration within an enclosure so that structural and mechanical damage is minimized.

NFPA 68 REQUIREMENTS

Documentation: NFPA 68 lists 19 documents that you must keep on record
Inspection: Vent closures must be inspected at least annually. The inspection process consists of 16 steps, detailed in NFPA 68.
Maintenance: A maintenance plan must provide for maintenance of the vent closures following an upset, act of nature, or turnaround.
Training: All employees operating, maintaining or supervising facilities must be trained.
Record-keeping: You must keep all records for a minimum of three years.

NFPA 652: Changes affecting DHAs from 2020

The deadline for completing a DHA was September 7, 2020

OsecoElfab can support you with venting requirements and compliance with NFPA 68:

The OsecoElfab MV family of explosion vents offers the industry’s best performance tolerance of +/- .25 psig. Each of these vents meets the requirements of the OSHA Combustible Dust NEP and NFPA regulations.
Our services include engineering support, inventory management support, and vent sizing support.

Published by OsecoElfab on Jan 04, 2024

More information