664: Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities

Get the knowledge to help safeguard wood processing and woodworking facilities from fire and explosions with NFPA 664, 2020 edition.

The presence of dust, wood chips, particles, and debris in a work environment can significantly raise risks to life and property. Since 1930, NFPA has been active in providing the information and provisions required to overcome the challenges of wood dust explosion hazards. NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities, offers comprehensive criteria for designing, operating, and better protecting facilities that process wood or manufacture wood products.

The standard is for use in industrial, commercial, and institutional settings and applies to facilities that:

• House woodworking shops
• Process wood or manufacture wood products creating wood chips, particles, or dust
• Process wood for chips
• Use wood or other cellulosic fiber as a substitute for or additive to wood fiber
• Have processes that create wood chips, particles, or dust occupying an area larger than 5,000 square feet (465 square meters)
• Have an aggregate dust collection flow rate greater than 1500 cubic feet per minute (2549 cubic meters per hour)

Select provisions are applicable for some facilities beyond the scope of the document and should be identified through the performance of a hazard and risk analysis.

The 2020 edition of the standard offers the latest requirements for specialized dust hazard mitigation.

NFPA 664 and other codes and standards on dust control for risk prevention must evolve to deliver the appropriate support to those charged with protecting facilities. This document is updated to be in closer alignment with NFPA 652, Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust, including the reorganization of all chapters.

Additional notable changes include:

• Revised definitions for deflagrable wood dust and dry nondeflagrable wood dust along with the requirements for assessing hazards based on particle size and moisture content
• Added provisions for conducting a documented risk assessment as a compliance option
• Updated requirements for damage-limiting construction to refer to resources where a complete treatment is specified
• Changed surface temperature requirements to depend on the dust surface ignition temperature or the dust-cloud ignition temperature of the material present, rather than having one maximum temperature for all processes
• Revised requirements for blowdown to align with NFPA 652 and OSHA requirements for personnel safety

Improve fire and life safety in woodworking and wood manufacturing facilities by complying with the latest provisions for dust control.

This standard is an indispensable resource for facilities that process and manufacture wood and for fire marshals, fire and building departments, and AHJs responsible for inspections and regulation. Help protect lives, property, and commodities by referencing NFPA 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities. Place your order for the 2020 edition today.