654: Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids

The new edition of NFPA 654 provides the latest requirements and procedures for managing fire and explosion hazards involving combustible particulate solids and hybrid mixtures.

The presence of combustible dust in plastics, chemicals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, fibers, and many other production settings presents explosion hazards that can result in injuries, deaths, and damage to and destruction of buildings. NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, 2020 edition, is referenced by OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify dust hazards and define mitigation strategies that help protect life and property.

The standard provides industry-recognized safety practices for facility and systems design, process equipment protection, fugitive dust control and housekeeping, ignition source identification and control, fire protection, training and procedures, inspection, and maintenance. Annexes offer guidance on the application of area electrical classification for various dust accumulation levels.

NFPA 654 has been completely reorganized to align with NFPA 652.

The 2020 edition of the standard is restructured, with many existing requirements moved to align the document with NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust.

Other notable changes, additions, and features include:

• Clarifications have been made to indicate where requirements in the code are retroactive.
• New provisions for ultrafine particles (including nanopowders and nanoparticles) and additive manufacturing have been added to recognize unique hazards and developing technologies.
• Requirements covering static, conductivity, and portable vacuum cleaners have been extracted from NFPA 652.
• The deadline for performing a dust hazard analysis (DHA) on existing processes and facility compartments is now specified to align with NFPA 652.

Identify dust hazards and establish effective control measures with NFPA 654.

This essential safety resource is a must-have for everyone from facility owners/operators that store, handle, or use combustible particulates solids to fire protection and design engineers, enforcers, insurance professionals, equipment manufacturers and vendors, and testing and research facilities.

Get up to date with cutting-edge protocols and safeguard your facility by ordering your copy of NFPA 654, Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids, today.