What is NFPA 652?
This standard was released in 2016 by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It applies to all facilities where combustible dust is present. What’s different about NFPA 652 compared to the previous industry-specific combustible dust standards (NFPA 61 for food processing, NFPA 484 for combustible metals, etc.) is that it requires companies to test the dust in their facilities. If the dust is found to be combustible, they must perform a dust hazard analysis (DHA) to identify any hazards that exist, create a written plan for managing those hazards, and provide employee training for anyone affected.What does IFC (2018) say about combustible dust?
For its 2018 edition, the IFC has adopted NFPA 652, requiring any facility that manufactures, processes, blends, conveys, repackages, generates, or handles combustible dust to comply. Here are the key points to know:- NFPA 652 applies to all new and existing facilities where a combustible dust hazard is present.
- Existing facilities must complete a DHA:
- Within 3 years of the effective date of the standard (i.e., by October 2018)
- Any time a process changes
- If a facility has not completed a DHA, the fire code official can order one.
- Combustible dust is not allowed to accumulate. It must be collected in a way that does not disperse the dust into the air. That means with a vacuum cleaner, not with compressed air.