Dust accumulation is a constant concern for facilities operating in the food industry, especially flour mills, where combustible dust poses a genuine risk of explosion. Traditionally, facilities have relied on reactive cleaning methods, allowing dust to build up before removing it. While this practice reduces the likelihood of dust explosions, it doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely. Dust will inevitably find its way back, settling in crevices and corners, where your team will have to clean it again and again. That’s why the future of dust management lies in a proactive approach—one that eliminates dust buildup before it begins.
We installed SonicAire fans in a leading supplier of premium, multi-use flours to help manage their combustible dust risk. In flour blending facilities, the process of handling and transporting different flour types creates a significant amount of dust. This fine particulate matter settles in hard-to-reach places like overhead structures and equipment crevices, creating a volatile environment prime for combustion.
While routine cleanings remove most of the visible dust, unseen accumulations in remote areas remain a lingering threat. Manual cleaning in hazardous environments, like that of the flour supplier, is expensive and time-consuming, but the risks don't stop there. Workers can get hurt while cleaning the dust themselves. One little spark or an inexperienced employee who doesn't know any better could turn a simple vacuum into a bomb.
Recognizing the need for a better solution, this company turned to SonicAire to address these challenges proactively.
They introduced SonicAire’s powerful fans, which were designed specifically to disrupt the airflow within the facility. Specialized engineers design a plan for the facility, addressing their specific problem areas, and professional installation removes any guesswork from the entire process. Strategically placed throughout the facility, these fans create a high-velocity air barrier that prevents dust from settling. By controlling thermal air currents and continuously dislodging particulates, these fans prevent dust from becoming a hazard. The technology, called BarrierAire(TM), keeps the dust off the rafters, eventually falling to the ground, where it can be easily swept away as a quick part of regular housekeeping.
Installation of a proactive solution has revolutionized dust control for this flour supplier. SonicAire’s game-changing fans have the only Underwriters Laboratories certification for Class II Division 1 environments (where combustible dust is a constant presence). They’re engineered to meet rigorous industry standards and offer unparalleled performance in preventing dust accumulation while maintaining strict compliance with the CIID1 requirements.
A proactive approach will also allow your facility to meet OSHA’s standards and maintain consistent compliance with combustible dust. When you keep the problem (combustible dust accumulation) from ever becoming a concern for your facility, you never have to worry about it. Your facility’s safety and compliance become as automated as the fan systems.
The results of a proactive approach to dust management are nothing short of revolutionary in the world of combustible dust. Once the fans were installed in the multi-flour supplier’s facility, the transformation was immediate. Dust that had once stubbornly clung to every surface began to disappear. The air grew cleaner, and the risk of a devastating explosion was eliminated.
In the evolving industrial landscape, adopting a proactive solution is about more than meeting today’s standards—it’s about future-proofing facilities for tomorrow's challenges. Safeguard your facility from the dangers of combustible dust by beginning your journey to a fully automated fugitive dust solution. Explore the only proactive approach to combustible dust control. Contact SonicAire for your Complimentary Dust Management Plan and ROI Analysis.
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