Posted on 1/27/
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The majority of industrial fires which begin on or around conveyor systems occur as a result of ignited coal dust in underground mining operations. But while the fire risks of the fossil fuel industry are well-known and documented, fires involving belt conveyors or other material handling systems are far from restricted to this sphere of production.
Conveyor systems are common in a number of applications where the risk of industrial fire is acute, such as chemical or food processing, shipping or receiving of flammable materials, and many more. Even with no aggravating circumstances, the risk of fire is present in any environment where electronic or actively-driven machinery is present, and poses a threat to the safety of people and property.
While the threat of fires can probably never be eliminated completely, there are a number of safety precautions and protocols that can be undertaken to mitigate this threat and protect the safety of workers. Let&#;s take a closer look at common causes of conveyor fires, how to address them, and other fire safety and prevention tips for use with industrial conveyor systems.
While conveyors themselves are usually made of steel or aluminum and are therefore not flammable (though conveyor belts can be), they may cause or contribute to industrial fires due to factors such as the following:
Though each of these factors could potentially pose a fire hazard on their own, many fires will be the result of some combination of these or other variables.
The first and foremost step to reducing the risk of conveyor fires in any industrial environment is taking care of the conveyor system itself. Proper conveyor maintenance will reduce the risk of belt slippage, motor malfunctions, and other errors which can lead to fires or other hazardous situations. Proper machine guarding in keeping with OSHA standards can also help to prevent accidents by safeguarding sensitive or otherwise hazardous areas.
Non-combustible materials should be used for all conveyor system components wherever possible, especially in applications where flammable products or materials are present. Caution should also be taken to make sure that the conveyor system is properly grounded in order to prevent sparks caused by static electricity.
Linear heat detection systems can be installed along the length of any conveyor system to detect surges in heat and activate alarms and fire suppression systems. These systems are relatively easy to install, often consisting of a simple cable that is designed to cause a short circuit when its plastic casing melts at a specified temperature. Infrared heat detection systems may also be used.
Fire suppression should take the form of overhead water sprinkler systems installed along the length of the conveyor system. Such systems are often required by local building codes, insurance providers, and labor regulations depending on industry and jurisdiction. Sprinkler coverage should be as comprehensive as possible, but paying particular attention to areas containing conveyor systems may be advisable based on certain variables.
While this page is meant to provide a general overview of fires safety and prevention in relation to industrial conveyor systems, it is by no means comprehensive. For more information on industrial fire safety, please consult your local fire department, OSHA field office, local building safety regulations, National Fire Prevention Association codes and standards, and any other relevant local safety authorities.
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The Roadrunner has nothing on the most powerful industrial conveyor belts when it comes to covering distances fast. This makes conveyor belt fire protection a crucial industrial safety concern. Conveyor belt fire protection is essential to prevent the rapid spread of fires due to friction-generated heat or combustible materials being placed on belts in error. Learn how linear heat detection and conveyor belt sprinkler systems maximise safety.
Primary fire hazards in conveyor belt systems include:
Conveyor belts themselves may ignite. This is a real risk in installations that do not use fire-retardant belt materials that come at a premium of up to 50% higher costs.
Human error is a major cause of fire in all industries. Belt conveyors may ignite because a worker inadvertently placed hot equipment or materials onto the system.
Friction is one of the most common causes of conveyor belt fires. Seized rollers or overheated bearings may generate substantial friction or heat. This is a serious risk in explosive and inflammable environments.
When belt conveyors are not aligned properly, this may generate excessive friction as well as placing excess wear and tear on equipment.
Reliable conveyor belt fire protection requires linear fire detection systems that monitor the long ranges belts typically cover in industrial applications. Detection systems work in tandem with conveyor belt sprinklers which are engineered to extinguish fire along the full installation range of the belt.
Linear heat detection (abbreviated LHD) uses a continuous length of wire or fibre optics containing heat-sensitive polymers to monitor temperatures over large distances. The advantage of a fibre optic system is that it may be configured for multiple different zones along a single length of cabling, thus allowing a higher degree of customisation and flexibility than traditional, non-linear &#;alarm plus smoke detector&#; setups.
A linear heat-sensing cable may span up to ten kilometres and may be linked up to a management platform for real-time heat monitoring. This empowers lightning-fast response to any abnormal rise in temperature over a vast distance, for fast fire suppression and prevention. Linear heat detection is useful for conveyor belt fire protection because both carry things over large distances as quickly as possible. Belts carry goods or raw materials, and heat detection cables carry crucial temperature monitoring information.
Besides the early warning system linear heat detection provides when connected to fire alarms and monitoring systems, you need the means to extinguish fires fast. This is where conveyor belt sprinkler systems add further fire safety.
Complete conveyor belt sprinkler systems are engineered to meet the many possible fire outbreak scenarios in industries such as mining and power distribution. Sprinkler systems for conveyors must consider stationary fires, moving belt fires and localised fires, as well as belt burn through and breakages due to heat and friction. A complete system helps to mitigate all fire risks through strategic placement of nozzles at high-risk points, such as directly over rollers or points where loads may have elevated temperatures.
There are several ways to avoid conveyor fires breaking out:
Maintenance and regular inspection are crucial for ensuring that conveyor belts, bearings
and other components are not overly worn or at higher risk of excessive heat generation.
Do you need comprehensive industrial fire prevention and safety installation or inspection? Contact
East Rand Fire for a quote.
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